A community sport hub in Dundee is turning to young people to help shape the future of the hub.
Forthill Community Sport Hub will work with seven young people in the second year of their Junior Decision Maker (JDM) programme.
The JDM programme is for Primary 7 pupils who are members of one of the hub's six clubs (Forfarshire Cricket Club, Forthill Community Tennis Club, Forthill Squash Club, Grove Menzieshill Hockey Club, Panmure Rugby Club and Plebeians Table Tennis Club), and it helps promote sport and the hub in their schools and through other community groups.
Designed by community sport hub officer Alison MacKenzie, the programme will allow the young people to learn new skills while acting as ambassadors for the hub within the community.
Alison said: “We introduced the JDM programme at Forthill to give young people in the six member clubs the opportunity to have an input into the future development of the hub.
"The programme allows the hub to look at its development from the perspective of a young person, with the JDMs assisting with hub events, hub profile and new ideas.
"Through their participation the young people learn about all six sports in the hub, support hub events and act as ambassadors for the hub."
The group will meet monthly for a two-hour session throughout the academic year. As part of the first hour, a representative from each of the hub's six clubs will deliver a session, allowing the JDMs the opportunity to try all of the sports on offer as well as learn more about each of the clubs and what they have to offer.
The following hour will involve gathering feedback to help the hub develop, including input into event planning, barriers to participation and ideas for new activities. The results will be fed back to the hub committee through Alison and sports development officer Ross Taylor.
Peer mentoring
Three of last year’s JDMs will return as Young Decision Makers (YDMs) and help mentor the new recruits, share their experiences and support the sports development officer in organising and running the monthly sessions.
Alison said: “It's fantastic to have three Young Decision Makers who will assist with the running of the monthly sessions and act as mentors to the JDMs.
"They have experienced being a JDM and will share their experience with the new group while also developing their own leadership skills as a young hub volunteer. They have shown a commitment to developing sport at Forthill and will be a great addition to this year’s programme.”
Both groups will also support in organising and delivering many of the events the hub run throughout the year, including the girls festival of sport and the hub open night in June.
Jude Gallagher, a 10-year-old new JDM from Broughty Ferry, revealed his excitement about starting the programme.
He said: “I am really looking forward to being a Junior Decision Maker, in particular helping to run hub events with new people from the other clubs.”
YDM Katie Adrain, a 12-year-old also from Broughty Ferry, added: “I enjoyed being a Junior Decision Maker as I learned new skills which have helped me in my sport, which is hockey.
"I wanted to come back and share my experience with the new JDMS and develop my skills further.”
Find out more
- Find your nearest community sport hub
- Learn more about supporting young people as leaders
- Visit the Forthill CSH website
