NEWS

SALSC

A Chance to Engage with Young People & Get Assistance with your Sports Council – At the Same Time!!!

The government is proposing a scheme that could provide sport, including local sports councils and your larger members with the opportunity to employ someone – and it will be paid for by the government. The scheme has been outlined in last weeks Third Force News:

http://www.scvo.org.uk/scvo/NewsAndEvents/ViewArticles.aspx?f=th&al=t&pid=8974

To summarise, organisations could be given up to £6,500 per 6 months to employ someone between the ages of 18 and 24 who has been out of work for more than 12 months. This money will cover wages and some overheads and there may be opportunities to seek additional funding for training. There is much work to be done finalising the details but I think this may be an opportunity for local sports councils to increase your work force whilst providing real life opportunities for young people who find themselves out of work. The emphasis is on making Britain a better place and improving local communities.

There are lots of issues to consider, like the training and supervision, managing young and possibly inexperienced staff. However, there are many positives – the same age group could become a useful coaching and admin force to support your work and help sports councils engage with the younger generations.

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) are in discussion with the Scottish Government about how this might be rolled out in Scotland. They are keen for sport to be involved and I am keen to get feedback and provide some thoughts from the grassroots perspective.

Please provide any feedback about whether your local sports council may be interested. No need for any commitment at this stage, but I am keen to see if there is enough interest to take this forward. Your thoughts on potential ways of employing such people and possible difficulties are welcome.

As ever, responses are welcome the sooner the better but there is no deadline so if you need to discuss with your committee then please do so.

Kind regards,

Oliver

OLIVER BARSBY
Director of Policy & Administration
Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils
Mobile: 07530 871456
Email: oliver@salsc.org.uk

www.salsc.org.uk

***SALSC is proud to be a partner in the upcoming conference 'Sport in Communities: Improving Provision & Participation' taking place on 24th June 2009. Guest speakers include Shona Robison MSP, the Minister for Public Health & Sport and the Rt Hon Henry McLeish, Former First Minister for Scotland. For more information please visit www.holyrood.com/communitysport***

Posted : 18/05/2009