Get on Track is the DKHT Flagship project (in England). The programme will last 14 months. GOT provides disadvantaged young people (aged 16-25) with the self-discipline, motivation and confidence they need to enhance their employability and to lead more active lives. The project is a sport-based, personal & social development programme delivered with mentoring support from elite athlete role models and is delivered in five phases: Warm Up, On your marks, Get Set, GO and Keep in Touch. We are looking to launch the GOT at the beginning of May 2015.
Warm Up: Prior to the start of the programme there are a number of warm up or recruitment sessions. This gives the athletes a chance to really sell the programme and all its benefits as well as to meet the potential participants for the first time.
On Your Marks: This phase sees the athletes meet attendees for the first time, as a whole group, allowing those involved to become familiar with one another and build a working relationship.
Get Set: Young people undertake sporting and school or community-based projects, where they develop communication and team work skills whilst increasing their social capital in their local community. This phase of the programme also provides young people with the opportunity to explore potential careers across a range of industries with work experience, practice interviews and intensive mentoring from elite athletes.
Go: This phase revolves around an event celebrating the success of the attendees. ‘Go!’ showcases the young people’s progress in front of a host of partners and local employers.
Keep in Touch: This is the longest phase of Get on Track, delivered after the intensive eight weeks of the first phases. Keep in Touch stretches to one year after the project, where the young people have opportunities to partake in sporting and development opportunities with the athlete mentors. Sessions include participating in sport, one to one mentoring sessions or a supported interview with a potential employer. Young people also have access to bursaries to support their progression.
My role is to lead the programme and represent the Trust. I must plan the programme, lead and deliver on the programme and work with all external partners.
Once the Pilot Programme is successful, the Trust’s aim is to make this a permanent programme in Scotland. Sarah of the Edinburgh Judo Club is a lead on the project. Contact her with any questions – sarahclark_judo@yahoo.com