Charlotte Owen, an apprentice with the Community Trust who helps out with various programmes, has talked about how she got involved with the Trust and what her apprenticeship entails.
Speaking exclusively to 1866 Sport, she said: “I started volunteering for the Trust about four years ago, getting involved with Pan-Disability sessions on a Friday evening and then getting more involved with Alternative Provision on work experience.
“I then got offered an apprenticeship here last year. I work on Camp Inspire which is throughout the holidays with kids with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
“We also run Alternative Provision, for ages seven through to 11, teaching them and running physical activities.
“We also go out to schools and coach the community, whether it be a lunch-time club or an after-school club.”
Charlotte also commented on how she has found the apprenticeship, saying: “It’s been really good and challenging at times because you are learning different things, but I’ve been able to go on the different courses to do things – that’s been really good as well.
“I’ve enjoyed working with new people, all the members of staff and shadowing them. Seeing how they work to develop myself and put their ideas into my own teaching and training.”
Recently, a group of the apprentices were asked to do a group project and Charlotte’s group ran an assignment that was a big focal point of the Christmas Fayre.
Charlotte said: “As a group of apprentices, we were asked to run a project. Our project was to plan, prepare and run a Santa’s Grotto at the Christmas Fayre.
“It took a lot of hard work to plan and prepare and on the day, it was really busy. We made over 100 children smile and get into the Christmas spirit, which was really good.
“It was really good to see them smile and be happy. It also made me happy inside and knowing that we made that difference was really good.”
Charlotte is continuing to help the Trust deliver brilliant work throughout the community and she shared what her future plans are.
“I’m hoping to stay on with the Trust and carry on with my coaching career, whether it be coaching or even with the SEND youngsters to help them and get more involved,” she said.
Encouraging others to take an apprenticeship at the Trust, Charlotte said: “I would go straight for it. It is nerve-wracking at the start but as soon as you get involved and you’re learning new skills, it is really good. I would definitely recommend it.”
