The Government’s KickStarter program has now ended. The program was aimed to get individuals aged 16-24 years and on Universal Credit into employment and to build up their skills and experience over six months.
500 young people had the opportunity to work in an EFL club or club community organisation as part of the Kickstarter scheme. Over 65 EFL clubs, including Forest Green Rovers, signed up to be involved.
FGR Community took on three KickStarter placements. Two successfully went on to find alternative employment and training - while Sam has remained on and secured a fixed term contract as the Sustainability Champion and Administration Assistant after her Kickstarter placement ended in September.
Sam began with FGR Community in March 2022 following a meeting with Head of Community, Sarah Urquhart, at Stroud Job Centre. Sam faced challenges finding employment after graduating from university during the pandemic. She was introduced to Sarah through their work coach at the job centre.
Reflecting on her experience, Sam said: “I was nervous to start my KickStarter placement. I was not sure I would be accepted into a football environment as someone in the LGBTQ+ community.
"But I soon felt welcomed at FGR and they embrace my identity. I was able to use my experience to help with the Rainbow Laces campaign and educate my colleagues about LGBTQ+ issues and terms.
“I have experienced so much over my time here. I have planned activities for our camps, helped on match days, learned about finances and created content for our social media channels. I have helped promote the club’s sustainability ethos and made a difference in my local community - and the community trust has helped grow my confidence massively.”
Sarah, Head of FGR Community, said: “Sam was one of seven KickStarters across the network of 72 EFL clubs where the club community organisations appointed Sustainability Champions to help promote environmental sustainability and embed section 15 of our Capability Code of Practice. The Kickstart scheme was an excellent initiative, and we were pleased to take part so soon after the pandemic when so many young people were affected.
"As a charity we are committed to supporting local people in our community, promoting education and employability and the Kickstart scheme has provided us with an additional way to provide support for the Trust and make a difference to a young job seeker.
"We offered Sam a placement within the charity and were committed to making sure that the opportunity kick-started her career and we are thrilled to have retained her. Sam grew as a person across the placement and fitted in perfectly with the team within weeks.
"Sam has stepped up at a transitional time for the Trust and has most recently supported me as Head of Community with administration, reporting and facilitation of communications and events. Moving forward she will be supporting some of our key programmes such as Premier League Primary Stars and Premier League Kicks and our FGR Ambassador scheme, in addition to the excellent work she has undertaken on equality, diversity and inclusion, and environment and sustainability.”
Ben Fisher, Sustainability Development Co-ordinator for the EFL Trust said: “As well as the excellent work Sam has done at FGR Community, they have been part of a team of Kickstarters across the country driving environmental sustainability in club community organisations.
"Having skilled and motivated people like Sam in post has created some real successes across our network and helped EFL Trust make a strong start on its environmental journey. I’m thrilled that Sam is continuing this work now their Kickstart placement has finished.”
KickStart has given young jobseekers a chance to get on their foot in the door and gain invaluable experiences and skills in the workplace. For more information on our work to promote Education and Employability at FGR Community, please contact community@fgr.co.uk.
