Our PACT (Personal Attainment and Community Training) programme has been developed in recognition of the fact that sport is increasingly used to address a range of social issues – youth engagement, youth crime and anti-social behaviour, substance misuse, community cohesion and racism to name but a few – but sports coaches are often not equipped to work within the challenging environments where these programmes are delivered. As such we have developed a non-accredited training package to up-skill coaches in appropriate areas to enhance delivery of these programmes in a safe and appropriate environment.
Subject areas covered include:
- Principles of Youth and Community Work
- Equality and Diversity
- Working with Young People at Risk
- Conflict Resolution
- Train the Trainer (workshop development / dealing with conflict)
- Tackling substance misuse
- Volunteer recruitment, management and retention
- Project management and partnership building
Following the initial piloting of this programme it became apparent we not only needed to up-skill coaches to work within challenging areas, but also offer pathways for people from those communities to achieve employment in such programmes. Over the past year we have introduced a number of new courses that are tailored to this group:
- Understanding community sports development
- Being a peer role model
- Communication skills
- Leadership skills
These courses are supplemented by a range of accredited and National Governing Body recognised coaching qualifications in a range of sports, and accredited qualifications in youth and community work.
Following a successful pilot programme, supported by the Football Foundation and the Rio Ferdinand Live The Dream Foundation and embedded in professional football clubs (Chelsea FC, Crystal Palace FC and Fulham FC Foundations) and community settings, the programme is now operating across London as part of the Mayors Skills Fund, and is being replicated in a number of locations across the UK – principally the West Midlands, Bristol and Portsmouth – as well as Ireland and South Africa.
