Clubs, Coaches, Volunteers Newsletter January 2025
Workshops and Courses
Safeguarding & Protecting Children Workshop
Delivered in partnership with UK Coaching, our next Safeguarding & Protecting Children workshop is on Tuesday 18 March 18:30-21.30 at the Stour Centre, Ashford.
“A really useful workshop providing lots of information to support my role in coaching and supporting young people.” Attendee
Protect yourself, the young person and your club/employer by understanding and following good practice. The workshop is delivered in partnership with NSPCC and the Child Protection in Sport Unit and will raise your awareness of the tell-tale signs of abuse and give you the confidence to deal with any issues should the need ever rise.
FREE Youth Mental Health Awareness Course
In partnership with Tommy Crush Foundation, a FREE evening workshop on Becoming Youth Mental Health Aware on Thursday 27 Mar 2025, 19:00 – 21:30.
The online course covers some of the common mental health issues affecting young people and offers you the skills to work more effectively with young people living with mental health issues. The training is being offered free of charge thanks to funding secured by The Tommy Crush Foundation.
Safely Navigating Social Media and Online Platforms
An essential online session hosted by the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) on Wednesday 12 March, 19:00 – 20:15.
Designed to provide clubs and organisations with vital guidance on navigating social media and other online platforms safely and effectively. Whether you’re managing a club’s social media pages, sharing photos or communicating through messaging apps such as WhatsApp, this session will provide practical tips and guidance to help you and your club.
Buddle Workshops for Clubs and Community Organisations
Explore a wide range of FREE workshops designed to help clubs and community organisations get organised, be more inclusive, develop and grow, get help from people and deal with money matters.
Explore the latest listings and course descriptions, then book your spot on one of the upcoming workshops.
Funding Opportunities
Workforce Development Fund
“The assistant coach qualification is a stepping stone to gaining my full coaching qualification.”
Thinking about becoming an activity leader or yoga instructor for your local community group? Perhaps an assistant coach to support your club’s weekly sessions? Active Kent & Medway’s Workforce Development Fund can cover up to 50% of the costs (maximum £500) towards qualifications or awards that increase the quantity and quality of leaders, coaches, instructors and officials in Kent, and therefore assist the development of sport and physical activity in the county.
Follow this link to apply for the Workforce Development Fund
Active Kent & Medway Small Grant
“A simple application and fast to be approved. It’s made such a difference to the lives of the people within the group.”
Active Kent & Medway can provide funding of up to £500 towards equipment, coaching fees, venue hire or marketing for projects that encourage and increase participation in physical activity for Kent or Medway residents.
Funding available for projects such as new programmes, festivals, events, launches or celebrations of activity, that re-engage with previous audiences and/or encourages those new to activity to continue to be active. Please check the grant conditions and criteria.
Small Grant for FANS Members
“The grant really came at the perfect time and is hugely appreciated.”
FANS members in full-time education can apply for small grants to help them with the costs associated with training and competing at a national level.
Applications for this small grant open twice a year, in February and in September.
Find out about the Small Grant for FANS Members (in full-time education)
Sport Welfare Posters
Our Sport Welfare Officers, Stuart and Jimmy are working closely with local facility providers to promote good practice and safe sport for children, young people and adults at a local level.
We’re delighted to see our ‘Do You Feel Safe in Your Sport?’ posters displayed at the Stour Leisure Centre in Ashford, Hoo Sports Centre in Medway and White Oak Leisure Centre in Swanley.
If you’d like to display our poster in your leisure facility or club, please get in touch with Stuart or Jimmy.
Volunteer with VIY
Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) are passionate about the impact of volunteering to create real social change. It’s part of their mission to inspire more people to volunteer for the first time and/or more often in their communities.
There are a number of ways you can volunteer with VIY to support the experience of young people and the renovation of community places in your area.
- Find out more about becoming a mentor
- Share with young people who would benefit from VIY.
- Promote a potential project that VIY could support.
Kent FANS Scheme
Are you a top sports performer living in Kent? Do you know someone who is, in your club or community?
Join FANS (Free Access for National Sports People), the county-wide scheme providing support to the leading sports performers, offering free, off-peak access to a number of sports facilities for personal training and development.
“FANS has supported me for many years. From when I was competing at county level, to now being a Paralympian.” Callie-Ann Warrington, Paralympian
Follow this link to read Callie-Ann’s story plus other FANS members feedback
Mental Health Support
Release the pressure
Active Kent & Medway is proud to support the Release the pressure campaign delivered by Kent County Council and A Better Medway.
We invite local clubs and other organisations across Kent and Medway to get behind this important and timely campaign. We’ve produced a campaign toolkit with editable posters, social media graphics and suggested tweets for local clubs, national governing bodies of sport and other organisations to use in their own promotion of the campaign.
Children’s Mental Health Week
Children’s Mental Health Week 2025 will take place from 3 – 9 February 2025.
The theme for 2025 is Know Yourself, Grow Yourself with the aim to equip and empower children and young people to embrace self-awareness and explore what it means to them.
Place2Be has joined forces with Here4You, and supported by The Walt Disney Company, they have produced a number of free resources for schools, clubs and families to get involved across the week.
Other News & Announcements
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you
If there’s anything in this newsletter you’d like to discuss, then just get in touch and one of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible. Please email: activekent@kent.gov.uk
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