Layen Wisdom is a local volunteer for the Burngreave Sports Network.
Story by Layen Wisdom
My name is Layen Wisdom, I am seventeen years old and I have a keen interest in sports. I am studying for a BTEC National Diploma in Sport at Sheffield College.
I never really thought about doing voluntary work until last summer. I knew I needed some sort of experience in coaching to help with my college application so I volunteered to help out at the All Saints Soccer School.
Children from the age of five attend these coaching sessions and their enthusiasm is extremely stimulating. When children take part in an activity they enjoy, they try very hard and always look to be told how good they are at what they’re doing. The look on the children’s faces when their team scores is a look of sheer enjoyment and I could just tell these children weren’t there because they had to be. They love football and that’s always a nice sight to see.
Coaching youngsters is something I would encourage everybody to try out. When you see children do something they learnt the week before, like a certain skill they’ve seen on TV, it’s a great experience that can put a smile on your face.
Some people will think that volunteering is not for them and that’s exactly how I felt when I considered doing it. However, when I was in my college interview, I was asked if I’d done any kind of coaching because one of the course modules had a lot to do with it. The volunteering I had done the summer before definitely helped me gain a place on the course I wanted. Voluntary coaching adds another category to your CV and is another experience that you can say you have had.
Coaching is not just about gaining experience for yourself though or putting something new on your CV. Helping children improve at sport and seeing them learn properly, knowing that you played a major part in their improvement is brilliant.
The Burngreave Sports Network is always looking for volunteers to help develop our network. By volunteering you are not only helping your local community but also gaining valuable work experience that can help you get into college and get a job. Call 241 9100 for more information.