From ideas to action: How young volunteer Zain made 2024 count

Zain was an exceptional volunteer for StreetGames throughout 2024. Clocking up over 200 hours, he threw himself into projects that mattered and brought energy and insight every step of the way.

As part of The Huddle – our Young People’s Doorstep Sport Advisory Group – Zain has helped to shape the future of StreetGames. He showed up to meetings ready to share ideas from his experience as a youth worker at Wigan Youth Zone. Thoughtful, honest, and always a team player, Zain’s voice carried weight because it came from real-world experience.

Zain also took part in the Youth Design Jam, a creative initiative with a focus on integrating Youth Voice into Sport England’s work and the wider grassroots sports sector. From day one, Zain stood out – asking thoughtful questions, learning fast, and helping others feel heard. His knack for breaking down complex problems and making space for quieter voices made him a natural leader.

Most recently, Zain played an integral role in the Young Advisor team for StreetGames’ #NextGen Residential at Brathay. As well as bringing creative ideas and positive challenge to the planning process, Zain took seamlessly to the role on site – supporting his team, encouraging volunteers, designing an obstacle course on the spot, and even diving into a very cold lake as moral support for a peer!

Through all of this, Zain has been humble, passionate, and unwaveringly dedicated to giving young people a voice.