Solomon’s Story
The project has provided an opportunity for one local young person to develop and grow through a volunteer role in the project.
New to Scotland, Solomon faced apprehension in travelling around the community due to concerns over incidents of violence following a stabbing in the local area.
With the encouragement of a school-based local police, Solomon took the steps to begin attending Friday Night Lights, a flagship youth project YMCA deliver with the Community Sports Hub (CSH).
Once settled in, their passion for sports became evident, so YMCA Edinburgh and the CSH supported them to take on a volunteer role delivering sports activities to primary-aged children, through their Y-Sports projects.
In fulfilling the role and looking to provide further opportunities for development, YMCA Edinburgh were able to offer Solomon a paid coaching role and access to accredited coaching and youth work qualifications, to support his continued development as a sports coach. In speaking about Solomon’s journey, YMCA Edinburgh CEO, Mike Kerracher commented, ‘It’s been fantastic to be able to develop opportunities for local young people, to provide a sense of connection and the space and support to flourish. Moving forward we will continue to provide more opportunities like this in the community . Leith isn’t short on talented and enthusiastic young people, so we are hopeful that like Solomon, other young people can develop their talents and be rewarded through paid opportunities ‘.
You can read more on Solomon’s Story here: Living the Leith motto – Sport First (sportscotland.org.uk)