Co-Operative Launches Sports Volunteering Scheme in Northumberland

The Co-operative’s pioneering scheme to tackle social exclusion and promote community cohesion across the country will be launched in Northumberland on Wednesday (6 August), in partnership with StreetGames.

The Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers programme is recruiting young people from some of Northumberland’s most deprived communities and will train them in a variety of sports and community leadership skills.

StreetGames, a national charity established in 2006, engages children and young people in structured sports activities which are free of charge, on green open spaces or already established multi-use game areas in their community. Northumberland Sport currently host the StreetGames Development Officer Carl Andersen who will also co-ordinate the Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers programme in Northumberland.

Carl said: “StreetGames is the sort of programme that brings young people together in a very positive way. We are delighted that the Co-operative has put its energy and investment into this sort of high-visibilty community initiative and is working with us to identify, encourage and train young volunteers.”

Gwyneth Brock, Campaigns Manager for The Co-operative, said: “Through this project we will be tackling social exclusion in a very significant way. By recruiting young volunteers and training them in a range of diverse skills that they can pass on to other young people, it will have a significant impact on the social cohesion of these communities.”