Young leaders enjoy team building day as pilot project engages more disabled young people in volunteering in sport

14 May 2008

Fourteen disabled young leaders have joined forces with members of the Derbyshire Sport Leadership Academy in a new pilot project aimed at engaging more disabled young people in volunteering in sport.

A total of 29 young people from Chesterfield, Bolsover and the High Peak are involved in the Buddies project, and they enjoyed a team building day at Whitehall Outdoor Centre near Buxton on Thursday, May 8.

Each young disabled leader was paired up with their 'buddy' during the team building day in order to start the foundations of their ' buddy' relationship.

The 14 disabled young leaders are either new to sports volunteering or have completed a Level 1 Award in Sports Leadership (JSLA), and have each been paired with a 'buddy' who will support them in gaining leadership qualifications and completing volunteering placements in sport.

Each 'buddy' has received mentoring training, and has previous volunteering experience as well as a leadership qualification.

The day included a number of team building exercises and games, including orienteering, a ropes course, scramble nets and 'the wall'.

By tackling each challenge together, each disabled young leader and their 'buddy' was able to build a relationship, overcome any communication issues and work to each others strengths.

Derbyshire Sport Disability Sports Development Officer Catherine Davies said the team building day had been very positive, and it was hoped that the Buddies project would be rolled out across the rest of the county.

The pilot has been funded through the Derbyshire Youth Opportunity Fund, which aims to involve young people in improving the provision of positive activities by providing more places to go and things to do.

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