Member Article

Sported Supporting Over 30 North East Groups Following 2011 Launch

Sported is celebrating a successful start to activities in the North East since opening for Membership in August last year.

Sported provides services to build sustainability with community organisations using sport to deliver development outcomes, for instance development of skills for workplace and life to young people, aged 11-25, in disadvantaged communities.

2011 was a busy year for Sported in the North East. Following the opening of Membership in August for Tyne and Wear groups the Sported North East Launch Event with Sir Keith Mills was held in October, which attracted 40 attendees from throughout the region. November saw the opening of phase 2 service roll out to deliver services to East Durham and Tees Valley. During these early months seven projects were successful in their applications for Sported Mentor support, resulting in matches with volunteer business Mentors to assist them in developing their long term sustainability. Our Small Grants scheme was launched in November and Expressions Of Interest started to roll in ahead of the January deadline.

The year was rounded off with the thirtieth North East group accepted for Membership and a number of applications from experienced individuals for our Volunteer Mentor roles.

Regional Manager Sandra Hillyard commented

“ Last year was a great start to our work in the North East with many groups starting to benefit from the resoures and support offered by Sported to bolster the business side of their operation. We have also built links with a range of partners including Tony Blair Sport Foundation, and a range of Voluntary Development Agencies and Funders across the region. The Volunteers joining sported to share their expertise as Mentors has also been cause for celebration and look forward to working with many more inspiring groups, supportive partners and skilled Mentors as we grow in 2012.“

Looking forward to 2012, the first North East Sported grant applications will be assessed at our February Panel along with further applications for Mentor support, and the second small grants round will open on 1st February. Member groups still have time to apply for the February panel and should contact the Regional Manager for more information.

2012 is set to be an exciting and inspirational year for sport and for sport for development in our region and we look forward to supporting more groups, providing exciting opportunities for our Volunteers and to providing our services wider in phase 3 and 4 of the North East roll out, reaching County Durham beyond East Durham in April and Northumberland by July.

To find out more about Sported Membership, or if you have skills and experience in the business or voluntary and community sectors and would like to find out about our Volunteer Mentor opportunities please see www.sported.org.uk or contact Sported North East Regional Manager Sandra Hillyard s.hillyard@sported.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sandra Hillyard .