Get On Track At The YMCA In Wimbledon


New development programme for young people

A personal development programme - Get On Track - aimed at disadvantaged young people is about to start in Wimbledon.

YMCA London South West is working in partnership with the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust on a programme aimed at creating opportunities for disadvantaged people aged 16-25 that helps them work towards sports participation, training, education, volunteering and employment.

It also helps to increase their confidence and self-belief, develop communication and teamwork skills and build future aspirations.

One of the unique features about the Get On Track programme is that the participants will receive ongoing mentoring support from world-class Paralympic athletes Tim Prendergast (2004 Gold in T13 800m for New Zealand) and Paul Efayena (weight lifter in training for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Paralympic Games).

The programme starts on February 24, and anyone interested can find out more at a recruitment event at the YMCA on The Broadway at Wimbledon from 3pm-6pm on Wednesday (February 19).

This year, YMCA London South West is also partnering with two EU funded projects; Enterprise You!, a training programme that offers a two day introductory session on how young people can set up their own enterprise and develop their own personal brand; and Tardis, a pan-European technology and research project aimed at helping young people to improve their performance in job interviews throug h intera ctions with virtual agents who take on the role of recruiters.

Get On Track was implemented by YMCA London South West in 2013 and Dylan Myers who took part in the programme last year, is now studying to become a fitness instructor at college whilst also working part time and volunteering at the Y+ Fitness gym at YMCA Surbiton.

He said this about taking part in Get On Track: "Taking part in Get on Track really changed my life. It gave me a sense of direction and focus and after I took part I knew more about what I wanted to do with my life and what I had to do to get there".

Gina King, Director of Health and Wellbeing at YMCA LSW, is leading the programme at London South West. She said: "The Get On Track programme has been a unique experience not only for the young people who participated but for me as a manager working on this new programme. Engaging with new partner s and wa tching and supporting the young people develop greater confidence and motivation in our first programme last year was very rewarding.

"Not all employability programmes suit everyone and to have the flexibility to design a course to match the needs of a young person has been very beneficial. As a YMCA working in partnership with the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust we are able to look at the whole person and encourage positive choices and healthy living. Inspiring the young people the world class athletes from the Trust share their stories and work as mentors.

"For local businesses, this is a great opportunity to be working with the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust. Should you wish to get involved as a local business that can support work experience, apprenticeships or help with mock interviews then please get in touch".

For more information about Wednesday's recruitment event, email annalharris@ymcalsw.org.

February 18, 2014