Craigie-Lee had a passion for volunteering but hadn't been offered the opportunity to get involved. However the London Youth Games have given her the chance to get stuck in with sports volunteering. She was able to follow two of her passions – basketball and running whilst also inspiring others to get involved.
She took on various roles during the London Youth Games, which provided her with the opportunity to work with other people in sport. Ultimately this enabled her to "give back" to her local community.
Since qualifying, Craigie-Lee has volunteered as a Wheelchair Basketball Team Attaché at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and the Sainsbury's 2012 School Games. She is also currently the Run Director of the Mile End Park Run, which has an average of 55 runners per week.
To Find out more about the London Mayor's Legacy, click here.
11/05/12
SkillsActive, the sector skills council for active leisure, learning and well-being, has secured £230,000 of Government funding from the Growth and Innovation Fund, which is jointly administered by The Department for Business Innovation and Skills, the Skills Funding Agency and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).
The Fund matches employer funding with Government funding to help meet skills gaps in economically important sectors. The Joint Investment Programme in Playwork focuses on the skills gaps identified to SkillsActive by playwork employers.
Lesli Godfrey, Strategic Lead for Playwork at SkillsActive, says: “We are really pleased that our bid for this funding has been successful and that employers will now have this opportunity to access a Playwork qualification for their staff from an early years background.”
Playworkers provide spaces and resources for children and young people to come together and play in their free time, at out of school clubs, adventure playgrounds, parks and community centres across the country. The subsidised qualification equips staff who have gained early years qualifications with the principles, knowledge and understanding of Playwork that they need in order to facilitate play opportunities for children and young people.
SkillsActive is looking for playworkers in England to take advantage of the offer of 50% matched funding towards the Level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork (from early years).
SkillsActive is now working with City College Norwich and a network of partner training providers to deliver the programme across all counties of England. It is intended that the programme will be completed by the end of July 2013.
To be eligible for funding, learners must hold a full level 3 early years qualification, based on the children’s care learning and development or early years and education standards. Employers will need to pledge at least 50% of the cost of the qualification i.e. £229 to enable this to be matched by Government.
All learners will also receive their own SkillsActive activepassport, an on-line tool to record their qualifications, training and experience.
Dick Palmer, Principal, City College Norwich, says: “We are delighted to be working with SkillsActive and partners to deliver the Level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork nationwide which will help extend the opportunities available to those already trained in early years.”
Details of the training available and the process by which both employers and playworkers can register their interest can be found at www.ccn.ac.uk/form/playworktransition.
12/4/12
Highlights include:
The E18HTEEN project, named after the shirt number of Tottenham Hotspur striker and E18HTEEN ambassador Jermain Defoe, aims to get 160 16-19 year old Londoners who are living in care or are care leavers back into education, employment or training by July 2013.
Delivered by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation in partnership with the Greater London Authority and virtual schools of children in care in Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest, the project provides participants with one on one mentoring as well as access to18 sport and physical activities, 18 training and education opportunities and 18 hours of volunteering as part of an individually tailored personal development plan.
E18HTEEN project manager Alex White says the mentors are key to the project’s success; the mentors know the local communities and have experience in youth engagement and coaching.
“The mentor’s role is to build a relationship with these young people, who are often disengaged with society, and work with them on an individual development plan incorporating their ideas, goals and aspirations, “Alex says.
“They also support them on that path and signpost them to work, education and training opportunities in their local community.”
Wanting to provide his mentors with the best possible skills to support participants at minimal cost, Alex contacted the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund. The Fund, delivered by SkillsActive’s National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, provides up to 75% off the cost of training to increase the number of Londoners working and volunteering in the sports sector.
In September 2011, eight E18HTEEN mentors completed accredited Training 4 Mentors training with Shine People and Places thanks to support from the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund. They learned the essentials of mentoring including effective listening and questioning techniques, mentoring models, and appropriate mentoring and learning styles.
Alex says the full day course was “incredibly useful”. “I’m confident our mentors now have the best possible skills to support their mentees. The subsidy also means our training budget will go further and we can direct more money to providing opportunities for these young people.”
Katie Couchman, Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund project manager, says: “I’m delighted we could help equip the E18HTEEN mentors with the right skills to be confident, competent role models for these young people.”
Grant Cornwell, Chief Executive Officer at Tottenham Hotspur Foundation says: “E18HTEEN is one of many programmes the Foundation delivers that inspires young people and adults to take positive steps to fulfil their potential. We are extremely grateful for the support of the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund in providing our staff with the tools required to successfully engage those most at risk in the local community.”
Jermain Defoe, E18HTEEN Ambassador says: “As project ambassador, it is hugely rewarding to see the positive impact that E18HTEEN has on the young people from the local area. The support from the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund has not only helped up-skill the brilliant team of mentors but has channeled funds back to those who need it most.”
About the E18HTEEN project:
The E18HTEEN project involves Tottenham Hotspur and England striker Jermain Defoe as an active ambassador, positive role model and mentor over a two year period to 160 young people aged 16 – 19 years who are either in care or are care leavers.
Each young person involved has been identified to participate in the programme by Local Authority ‘Virtual Schools of Children in Care’, with the objective of keeping them in or getting them back into training, education and employment and ultimately preparing them for independence and adulthood. The programme offers an individually tailored learning and development programme with free access to 18 separate training and life skill workshops and 18 different sports.
Why the E18HTEEN project is needed:
28/3/11
The E18HTEEN project, named after the shirt number of Tottenham Hotspur striker and E18HTEEN ambassador Jermain Defoe, aims to get 160 16-19 year old Londoners who are living in care or are care leavers back into education, employment or training by July 2013.
Delivered by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation in partnership with the Greater London Authority and virtual schools of children in care in Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest, the project provides participants with one on one mentoring as well as access to18 sport and physical activities, 18 training and education opportunities and 18 hours of volunteering as part of an individually tailored personal development plan.
E18HTEEN project manager Alex White says the mentors are key to the project’s success; the mentors know the local communities and have experience in youth engagement and coaching.
“The mentor’s role is to build a relationship with these young people, who are often disengaged with society, and work with them on an individual development plan incorporating their ideas, goals and aspirations, “Alex says.
“They also support them on that path and signpost them to work, education and training opportunities in their local community.”
Wanting to provide his mentors with the best possible skills to support participants at minimal cost, Alex contacted the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund. The Fund, delivered by SkillsActive’s National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, provides up to 75% off the cost of training to increase the number of Londoners working and volunteering in the sports sector.
In September 2011, eight E18HTEEN mentors completed accredited Training 4 Mentors training with Shine People and Places thanks to support from the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund. They learned the essentials of mentoring including effective listening and questioning techniques, mentoring models, and appropriate mentoring and learning styles.
Alex says the full day course was “incredibly useful”. “I’m confident our mentors now have the best possible skills to support their mentees. The subsidy also means our training budget will go further and we can direct more money to providing opportunities for these young people.”
Katie Couchman, Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund project manager, says: “I’m delighted we could help equip the E18HTEEN mentors with the right skills to be confident, competent role models for these young people.”
Grant Cornwell, Chief Executive Officer at Tottenham Hotspur Foundation says: “E18HTEEN is one of many programmes the Foundation delivers that inspires young people and adults to take positive steps to fulfil their potential. We are extremely grateful for the support of the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund in providing our staff with the tools required to successfully engage those most at risk in the local community.”
Jermain Defoe, E18HTEEN Ambassador (pictured with E18HTEEN participants) says: “As project ambassador, it is hugely rewarding to see the positive impact that E18HTEEN has on the young people from the local area. The support from the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund has not only helped up-skill the brilliant team of mentors but has channeled funds back to those who need it most.”
About the E18HTEEN project:
The E18HTEEN project involves Tottenham Hotspur and England striker Jermain Defoe as an active ambassador, positive role model and mentor over a two year period to 160 young people aged 16 – 19 years who are either in care or are care leavers.
Each young person involved has been identified to participate in the programme by Local Authority ‘Virtual Schools of Children in Care’, with the objective of keeping them in or getting them back into training, education and employment and ultimately preparing them for independence and adulthood. The programme offers an individually tailored learning and development programme with free access to 18 separate training and life skill workshops and 18 different sports.
Why the E18HTEEN project is needed:
27/3/12
The UK Commission for Employment and Skills has appointed SkillsActive, in partnership with Lantra, HABIA, People 1st, Improve and GoSkills.
They have been funded to deliver National Occupational Standards, Apprenticeships and Modern Apprenticeship frameworks, and qualification related products for three years starting 1st April 2012.
SkillsActive acting CEO Suki Kalirai says: “National occupational standards, qualifications and Apprenticeships are key products for developing a better skilled, better qualified workforce. This funding will provide the quality skills system the sector needs to achieve its objectives.”
SkillsActive achieved funding for three out of four of its national occupational standards projects, including:
SkillsActive has also achieved funding for Apprenticeships, with a special focus on coaching in Wales and achieving excellence in sports performance in Scotland.
The announcement on the level of funding for qualifications work is still pending.
29/2/12
The programme, delivered by Sussex Downs College, in partnership with the FIA, SkillsActive, and the Sport and Fitness Employers Group (SAFE), will teach professionals to learn behavioural change techniques and how to motivate inactive audiences.
Many employers have already signed up to be part of the Joint Investment Programme (JIP) and with 1,300 fitness professionals set to benefit, more businesses have the opportunity to be part of the programme to up-skill the sector.
The programme offers employers (and those who are self-employed) match funding on the following courses:
• L2 Award in Understanding Health Improvement
• L3 Award in Adapting Exercise for Older Adults
• L3 Award in Adapting Physical Activity for Older Adults
• L2 Award in Community Activation
• L3 Unit - Enabling Individuals to Change Behaviour and Improve Health and Well-being while working as a Health Trainer
• L3 Unit - Customer Service in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry
• L3 Award in Adapting Physical Activity for Ante and Post Natal Participants
• L3 Award in Adapting Physical Activity for People with Disabilities
• L4 Certificate for the management of lower back pain
David Stalker, CEO, FIA said: “Through this programme, employers will support us to up-skill over 1,300 fitness professionals to be able to introduce a currently inactive audience to physical activity, helping us achieve a more active nation”.
Suki Kalarai, SkillsActive’s CEO said: “This is a great opportunity for employers to ensure their staff are completely up-to-date with their training without breaking the bank. In these straitened economic times training budgets can often be the first thing to be cut so we’re especially pleased to be able help ensure those working in the fitness industry carry on learning.”
Liz Kemp, Project Delivery Coordinator at Sussex Downs College said: “Sussex Downs College is delighted to be working with the FIA and SkillsActive on such a challenging, high profile national project supporting leisure and fitness employers. We are looking forward to, not only managing the network of high quality training providers that will be delivering the qualifications, but also being part of the main steering group and monitoring the impact the project has on improving the physical activity of the nation.”
Employers and self-employed fitness professionals can register their interest by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For more information on the programme visit www.skillsactive.com/jip
Follow the programme on Twitter #SkillsFit
27/2/12
The CACHE Level 4 Award in Playwork, CACHE Level 4 Certificate in Playwork and CACHE Level 5 Diploma in Playwork are now on the Government’s LARA (Learning Aim Reference Application) website, which means they are eligible for government funding for learners over 16 years.
Learners who are between 16 and 18 years old are eligible for full funding, while learners who are 19-24 are likely to be eligible for 50% funding through adult learner provision.
SkillsActive’s Strategic Lead for Playwork and the Children’s Workforce, Lesli Godfrey, says: “SkillsActive is very pleased the higher level Playwork qualifications are eligible for funding. We’ve had a lot of enquiries from potential learners who are keen to undertake a Playwork qualification at levels 4 and 5, and access to funding support is a welcome bonus for them and their employers, many of whom struggle to pay for staff development.’
Cache’s Director of Portfolio Development Nick Cutland says: “CACHE are thrilled that these qualifications are attracting funding. The knowledge and skills learners will gain through completing them will contribute to continuing professional development in the Playwork sector.”
Training providers who have direct contracts with the Skills Funding Agency are now able to apply for funding to support learners undertaking these qualifications. This good news follows the recent announcement that the Level 5 Diploma in Playwork (NVQ) is accepted by Ofsted as full and relevant for work in a setting on the early years register.
To learn more about these funded qualifications please visit http://www.cache.org.uk and to check which Skills Funding Agency funding streams apply, visit https://gateway.imservices.org.uk/sites/LARA/Pages/aimssearch.aspx
Rachel (29) – who is the head coach at the Young Athletes Training Academy (YATA) in Poole – spent three weeks in Australia during August, dividing her time between Canberra and Brisbane. In Canberra, Rachel visited the Australian Institute of Sport where she got a first-hand account of the institute’s high-tech facilities at the Testing Aquatic Centre. There, she also met with Swimming Australia where she gained an insight into the structure of swimming from grass roots to elite level.
“Everyone I met with was so helpful and completely open to sharing information and showing me the facilities,” Rachel said. “The AIS is an incredible resource and I can really understand how and why Australian swimmers have been advanced for so many years.
“They have a very successful structure in place and the support the athletes receive is second to none. I believe we lack structure for youth development in the UK and need to look to countries like Australia to learn the most effective ways of developing our athletes.”
Rachel also had meetings at the Queensland Academy of Sport – a breeding ground for over 600 athletes – Surfing Australia, Swimming Queensland and the Brisbane Broncos – Queensland’s most successful Rugby League team.
She said: “Swimming Queensland is the founder of some fantastic high performance training and support methods, which continue to be rolled out to the rest of the country. For example, when an athlete retires or is injured they are offered support from the Queensland Academy of Sport to help them emotionally adjust. The academy also works with local companies, colleges and universities to help put retired athletes on a path to full-time education or work.”
Rachel believes that although sport in Australia has similar issues to the UK, including a lack of coaches, early drop out rates and obesity problems, the country has far better systems in place to manage them.
“Young athletes and their parents in Australia are provided with information on what to eat, how to recover and are given a lot more opportunities to attend swimming camps. The clubs are well run and do as much as they can to help the athletes succeed,” Rachel said.
Rachel’s unique training experience was supported by SkillsActive and the Nancy Ovens Trust. In May, Rachel beat out 57 applicants from around the country to receive one of six SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens bursaries, awarded annually to paid and un-paid individuals working within the sport, fitness, playwork, outdoors and caravan sectors. The bursaries are designed to help individuals improve their skills through an innovative training programme outside the scope of regular training.
In line with the bursary guidelines, Rachel planned her own training experience, making contact with a number of people and organisations in Australia before she left the UK. She is now putting together a comparison study from her time abroad which she hopes to share with other young coaches and sporting organisations.
Emily Smith, 19, from Aylesham, completed her Duke of Edinburgh bronze and silver awards as a personal challenge while studying for an NVQ in Sport and Recreation at Army Cadets. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a youth development programme that provides people aged 14 to 25 with the chance to develop skills for work and life.
To achieve the final gold award, Emily was required to complete planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey. While most UK students complete the expedition in the UK, Emily and five friends decided to up the ante by completing theirs in France.
“We wanted to challenge ourselves even further by doing it in a foreign country,” she said.
Emily was aware of the Nancy Ovens Bursary, which provides individuals with up to £2000 to improve their skills through an innovative training programme outside the scope of regular training.
She successfully applied for £250 towards expedition costs and in July 2011 she travelled to the French Pyrenees after first completing a practice trek in the Lake District. Emily says the group, who were trailed by an assessor, trekked up to 19km a day for four days - relying on their map reading skills to navigate them through the notoriously difficult terrain. And if that wasn’t challenging enough – it rained non stop the whole time.
“We had heard it was really sunny that time of year but we packed for all weather so we were okay,” she says. “The only problem we encountered was when we went off track for a few hours on a particularly misty day.”
Emily, who is now a Duke of Edinburgh assessor, says she developed key life skills on the expedition, including planning, team building, navigation and courage.
“It was an amazing opportunity I’ll never forget. I now use lots of the skills in my role as a sports assistant at Dover College Independent School. The experience also helped me secure a place at Canterbury Christchurch University, where I plan to study physical education and sports exercise science, later this year.”
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