Hello, my name is Rhiannon Osborne,
I’m 17 years old from South Wales, Newport. I’ve grown up in Newport my whole life and have volunteered within the community from the age of 9. I volunteered with the West Cluster Community First from the age of 9 up-to age 13. Volunteering with the West Cluster Community I was able to attend a range of events and help alongside coaches to teach sports at local sessions. Once I turned 14, I started volunteering with Newport Live and was able to lead in sports sessions alongside coaches and attend multiple courses and events. Getting older through volunteering I was able to take more of a lead and plan my own sessions that I could deliver. At the age of 16 I had a number of different sessions that I could attend and that I led with support alongside if I needed it.
Newport Live has given me many opportunities to develop my coaching skills, have let me attend multiple events and have helped me get my qualifications. After passing my dance leaders level 2, I was able to set up a dance class within the local Friday Night Project run by Lauren Bourne (Sports Development Assistant Officer). Now I am a casual coach with Newport Live and I attend multiple sessions and do a range of multiple activities with a range of different abilities. I am also a Mental Health Ambassador and go into schools to talk about the importance of looking after your mental health, just as much as physical health and how to get in contact if you need support.
After leaving year 11 I joined a college course that wasn’t for me and I still wanted to stay in somewhat of an education that would develop my coaching skills and experience alongside my coaching with Newport Live. I joined the Newport Youth Academy Sport Course. As soon as I joined, I was welcomed by the Tutors and Learners in the Course. I have now been with the Newport Youth Academy Sport Course for nearly 2 years and I have been able to attend different schools to teach sports and have also been able to learn the topics of different sports knowledge needed in the sports industry. Within the course it gives you opportunities to attend courses, develop Maths and English. The Newport Youth Academy Course also pays you £50 a week for completing work. The course is there to help you in with employment, educational and personal needs. The course is a welcoming friendly environment that will help you get into employment that will suit you. In this course they’ve helped me better my mental health and my skills in the sports industry.
The Newport Youth Academy Course has also given me the opportunity to be a part of the 4-week Young Entrepreneurship Course with Princes Trust. Having this opportunity has given me the chance to know the skills and knowledge of what is needed to start a business and how to get started up as one day I would like to own my own business. I would highly encourage this course if 6 form and college is not for you. All are welcome just get in touch with our tutors.
A few weeks ago, The Newport Youth Academy Course had the chance to be on the ‘Say It How It Is’ podcast, and I was lucky enough to be a part of it. It was an amazing experience to be able to share information about the course.
This was my first ever podcast and it was an amazing first experience.
To anyone that may want to get into volunteering email the closest sports development closest to you. If you’re from Newport get in touch with Newport Live through their email on the website. Volunteering will give you so many opportunities and skills and a range of different paths to go down in sport. If you have a passion for sport and teaching I would get involved with volunteering. To also give advice to anyone chasing their dreams and getting involved in opportunities keep going and it’s going to give you a lot of skills in different sectors. Always get involved with what you can as it will give you new experiences and will add to your characteristics.
