Volunteer business mentor - help UNLEASH THE POWER OF SPORT in your community

Sported is a free membership organisation that supports thousands of inspirational community groups and clubs across the UK - with hundreds in Northern Ireland - that deliver ‘Sport for Development’. These groups are using the power of sport to change young lives and tackle some of society’s biggest problems, including anti-social behavior, rural isolation and community cohesion. Sported works with its members to build their capacity and become more sustainable, so that these local heroes and heroines can transform the lives of even more young people through sport. 

What skills do I need to have to volunteer with Sported?
We are looking for a range of professionals with a variety of skills including:  Financial planning; Business Planning; Governance; Marketing; Fundraising. 

Who does a volunteer Sported mentor help?
64% of Sported member groups are entirely volunteer-led. These club leaders and volunteers are an incredible group of passionate and dedicated people and do some amazing work in their communities; however they sometimes lack the business skills, knowledge and experience required to run a sustainable organisation.

Our volunteer mentors work directly with our member groups to help them overcome these challenges, learn new business skills and ways of working, and become better equipped for the future by helping them to understand what they need in place to run a sustainable organisation. To hear the story of one of our current members, NI Street League, please click here.

 

What do Sported mentors do?
Our mentors are carefully matched with a Sported member group according to their professional expertise, availability and location. The mentor will then work directly with the club leader(s), offering their professional advice and consultancy to help them to overcome their respective business challenge/need, learn new skills and develop a strategy to build their capacity and become sustainable for the future. 

 

What are the benefits to me of volunteering with Sported?
A Sported mentor will leave a legacy in grassroots sport. By sharing your knowledge, skills and experience you can leave Sported’s members better equipped to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people.  You will discover or develop additional skills by working in new and sometimes challenging environments, as well as joining a high calibre team. The flexibility of the role means you can work on projects that suit your skills and the time that you have available.

To see a film about how some of our mentors have benefitted, please click here.

What is the time commitment?
Every placement is different and requires varying levels of involvement, but there are two main types of support you can offer:
1. Light touch support - offering short term support; e.g. answering some questions via phone or email, or delivering  a workshop 
2. Mentor placements - supporting a member through a process of change or development, over 3-6 months 

The scope and length of potential work is always discussed in advance. 

 

For more information about volunteering with Sported, please get in touch! We'd love to hear from you. 

 

“The club was stagnant, on its knees. The volunteers support to create a clear vision and plan has enabled the club not only to survive, but flourish, making a lasting impact on the hardest to reach.”
- Kevin, Fermain Club Macclesfield