Celebrating 100,000 hours with HeadStart

HeadStart is a volunteer programme aimed at 16 to 18 year olds in full time education giving them the opportunity to give back to their local community and help prepare for the workplace.

Disability Sports Coach support HeadStart volunteers gaining invaluable work experience volunteering at our weekly Community Clubs, undertaking roles including 1-to-1 member support, admin tasks, and coach delivery with the support of our experienced coaches. Since September 2015, 32 HeadStart volunteers have logged 445.5 hours collectively volunteering across 11 Community Clubs. 5 of which have continued to volunteer on a weekly basis as well as supporting Community Club Sports Days & Festivals becoming integral to the success of their local club.

We were delighted to be invited to their celebratory event with Louis Wickett-Padgham, Operations Manager speaking as part of the key partners panel Q&A alongside Starbucks, The Berkley Foundation & Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement, Matthew Ryder.

Lauren Mawdsley, Club Development Officer & HeadStart Coordinator said: ‘The HeadStart volunteers have brought a fresh new approach to the Community Clubs with their enthusiasm and keenness to develop skills, with members really benefitting from their support. They have developed their communication, coaching and leaderships skills whilst building strong relationships with the members to positively impact on their development.’

Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement, Matthew Ryder, said:‘Volunteering is a brilliant way ‎to make a real difference in our great city. As well as building stronger communities and ‎helping people to get to know and help their neighbours, it makes us a friendlier and more welcoming place to live in and visit. Team London and The Challenge’s partnership has helped thousands of young Londoners to become active citizens by getting involved in their local communities and building up the vital skills they need to fulfil their potential. Initiatives like this demonstrate how volunteers benefit just as much as the causes they donate their time and energy to. Congratulations to HeadStart and its many dedicated participants on reaching this milestone.’

Get Involved – Start Volunteering

If you are interested in volunteering at our Community Clubs, please visit our dedicated Volunteering page for more information and to download the volunteer application form.