Nacro annual review

community. They may also wish to gain workexperience, get training, challenge themselves, andmeet new people. Along the way, they get involvedin a wide range of activities, from coachingbasketball teams to helping people with applicationsor mentoring kids with behavioural problems.‘We focus on the strengths of our volunteers,’ saysNick Emery, manager of Nacro’s Chelmsford Sport inthe Community project. ‘Some of them have beenthrough the same experiences that kids are goingthrough now. We’ve got one lad who’s just completedhis junior sports leader awards on our alternativeeducation programme, and he is now a volunteerwith us. Others bring entirely different lifeexperiences to the mix. Our oldest volunteer has justretired from running his own business: he helps torun the education programme, and his skills haverubbed off on the young people.’ Allen Kittles, a onetimevolunteer who now works as a Nacro sportsdevelopment worker, says that volunteers help tokeep the project running. ‘I’ve got four helping metomorrow with our football session,’ he says, by wayof example.Volunteering is not a one-way street; the volunteersalso benefit in a variety of ways from working withNacro. They participate in interesting andchallenging work. Their skills are enhanced throughtraining and first-hand experience, and they aregiven regular, constructive feedback. In short, theyare part of the team.‘We want to get the most out of people whovolunteer for us, and offer them a chance to fulfiltheir potential,’ says Nick. That’s why theChelmsford project offers courses and workshopsfor volunteers, with the Football Association’s levelone coaching course proving to be especiallypopular. It also organises team meetings, socialevents and outings: last year the Paralympian 400mgold medallist, Danny Crates, addressed thevolunteer appreciation evening, and a fine time washad by all. As Allen says: ‘We have such a goodrelationship with the volunteers – they’re friends.’The contribution of volunteers does not gounnoticed by young people either, as Nick pointsout, although he adds jokingly that ‘they might notshow it at the moment they get a decision againstthem during a game.’ Connal Toner agrees. Hestarted volunteering because he knew it would standhim in good stead for university, and has stuck withit because he enjoys it. After emerging grass-stainedfrom a diving header during a kickaround, hisenthusiasm is obvious. ‘I like mucking in, gettingkids off the streets and keeping them safe. It’s goodfun, and, yeah, you’re valued for what you do.’ 9