Young Advisors are experienced volunteers who are actively involved with a community organisation in the StreetGames network. For StreetGames Summer Camp 2022, a team of 14 Young Advisors worked with StreetGames staff to take a lead on all aspects of the camp, from initial planning right through to the delivery of the event itself.
Renee is 21 and from West Brom. She is currently working in an office alongside volunteering as a basketball coach at West Brom Basketball Club. Renee realised staying in education wasn’t for her, instead seeing volunteering as the right path as she enjoys coaching and believes she should do what is best for her, rather than following what everybody else does.
She began volunteering two years ago after attending the basketball club as a participant for many years, because basketball and volunteering gives her a sense of escapism, as well as an opportunity to give back to her community: “If I wasn’t surrounded by volunteers and presented with this opportunity, I think I would’ve gone off the rails. I’d like to pass that opportunity onto others. I like to provide that sense of escapism to the young people from the same area because when they come to sessions it’s an opportunity to exercise and release stress and anger away from home through sport, and help their development.”
In October 2021, Renee attended a StreetGames residential: “I threw myself into the deep end there whilst I was going through a stressful time”. This experience encouraged her to apply to be a Young Advisor at Summer Camp. Coming from a “concrete jungle”, Renee really valued the fresh air, views, and open space she experienced at both her first residential, and at Summer Camp, and now sees the value in experiencing something different “besides corner shops and the same scenery” to open one’s eyes to other opportunities.
Renee also shared her the challenges she faced as a Young Advisor: “I had a bit of a blip where I was contemplating going home after a rough day, had barely any sleep and I lost my voice – but I’m so glad that I stayed. Even though it was rough and tiring, the enjoyment in the end was really worth it!”
