Playing fair

Keeping busy is my nature and Monday’s are generally devoted to Youth Club.

Some youngsters simply don’t fit into mainstream schools and learning life skills is more of a priority. One of the regular groups is 15/16 year old girls who attend sessions during school hours and have practical lessons such as planning meals, shopping for ingredients and cooking. Without realising they are practicing mathematical and language skills, organisational development and communication.

They have done really well this term, and as a finale hosted a pop up cafe in the town hall, showcasing their confidence and creativity and raising funds for their chosen dog charity.

I popped in to support and enjoyed homemade bakes, sandwiches and refreshments. My neighbours kindly supported them too, and were pleasantly surprised by the teenagers keen to show their new skills.

A chance to see youngsters in a different light, certainly these girls were chatty and engaged in a way that we rarely see when at Youth Club.

Their School head of year came to see them too and I overheard her say how proud she was of them.

A really positive experience for all.

In the usual evening sessions I find myself playing football as only three a side.Apparently making some decent tackles, but to be honest in this all boys SEN group I’m the smallest by a head, so avoid too much confrontation.

Sticking to the rules can be challenging for this lot but the ref was firm and everyone had fun.

Second session, more foot ball.

The usual professional coach doesn’t show.

I’m a poor substitute. (Ken would have been in his element).

The age ranges from 11 to 16, this lot a lot more challenging and competitive. I definitely stick to the side lines, encouraging and mediating when necessary.

Luckily everyone here knows the rules. We’ve two goals but no pitch marking so things have to be quite flexible. We more or less go with the flow.

My main aim is to keep the sides fair, seven a side a mixture of the older and younger, including some talented girls, it is actually very special seeing this big mix joining in together, not a phone in sight.

It the foul language rather than fouls that is an issue. For some especially in this situation it is simply their language, there’s a limit how much I can do, other than repeatedly request to keep it clean.

If you’d said to me eighteen months ago I’d be in the middle with this lot I’d have told you that you are mad. But it was a great, and seeing everyone interacting shows how sport brings people together.

Unfortunately there is usually some sort of incident that can tarnish the session.

Not in the football group today.

A lot of the kids here have issues, compulsive behaviour being one of them, they do stupid stuff without considering the consequences.

Shame.

So a real mixture of positivity and negative energy, pretty much reflecting teenage life.

I only do Mondays and for me that’s enough, but I have huge respect for anyone who chooses Youth work as a career.