SDS Young Start Programme Opens to New Prospective Coaches!

Thanks to the ongoing support of the National Lottery Community Fund, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) are delighted to welcome applications for the 2024 – 25 Young Start programme.

Purpose of the Programme

The Young Start programme will empower young people (aged between 16 – 24) living with vision impairment, hearing loss, physical disabilities and mild learning disabilities throughout Scotland to develop their confidence and coaching skills over a one-year period. The young people will gain coaching qualifications.

As part of the Young Start programme you will:

·        Achieve a coaching qualification

·        Meet other young people with disabilities

·        Volunteer with disability sport in your local area

·        Raise the profile of disability sport

·        Work together with a mentor who will empower you to achieve your agreed personal development plan

Current programme members commented:

“Young Start is an amazing learning opportunity. It lets you be around like-minded individuals who share your passion. It is a starting point to let you continue on further in any career”

“Young Start is like a little family; we all want the best for each other”

Find out more about the programme by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B11EN5iA17w

Who are we looking for?

·        People living in Scotland

·        Young people with a disability aged between 16 -24 (Participants must be 16 as of the 30th September 2024 to apply for the programme).

·        People who have the ambition to achieve a Level 1 coaching qualification (or equivalent) – Please note that a Level 1 qualification is the equivalent of Advanced Higher. If you would find this level really challenging, the Getting Started programme may be more suitable for you.

·        People who would like to coach/volunteer within their local communities

·        People who are able to attend meetings at least every 3 months with their mentor

·        People who will link with branches to support ongoing developments

·        People who are open and ready to participate in all learning opportunities (People who are committed to their personal development and can attend at least three additional workshops as agreed with your mentor)

We are particularly keen to hear from:

·        Women and girls

·        People who belong to ethnic minority communities

·        People who are living in low Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation area

For more information or to apply, click here.