APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2021 , Vol . 7
" We don ’ t care who you are , where you are , if you ’ ve been a criminal , as soon as you arrive at Benson you are equal . Once you ’ re with us , you are with us as you are . It ’ s down to you as an individual and your ability , you as a person we will talk to ." ( Leon )
Understanding the reasons why young people may get involved in criminal activity enables the coaches to see the world from their point of view and help them to explore alternative options . Former participant Jordan discussed how being involved in the project and working with the coaches , encouraged him to consider his options in life leading him to becoming a volunteer at the project . Prior to attending BCP , Jordan was heavily involved in local gang culture . He was persistently in trouble with the local police , resulting in several arrests throughout his teenage years :
" It ’ s made me realise there ’ s more to life . There ’ s not just one road , there ’ s two ." ( Jordan )
The project became a positive and developmental form of community service that allowed Jordan to move beyond a criminal label and focus on his future . Jordan now has a full-time job in the motor industry and is no longer involved in crime . This is one example of how the project can have potentially life-changing effects on participants .
Another example of how personal transformation had been achieved through the project was Jack . Jack had progressed into his coaching role from being a participant in the programme . He discussed how the project had steered him away from trouble , giving him a purpose , and allowing him to become qualified . Through the project , individuals who have been involved in crime or gangs are able to shake off negative labelling and are given a clean slate . For those with the interest there are opportunities to gain coaching qualifications and to become leaders on the programme :
" I was with a group of friends and we used to be on the road , doing bad things all of that . We said one day , let ’ s go and play football . We came down here to the stadium in Smethwick . They let us get involved , let us play football and it got us off the road a lot more . And I started showing myself to Mark and Leon and then became a coach . If I hadn ’ t gone to Benson I ’ d be selling weed or something like that . They gave me the push and the qualification . It ’ s not just about playing football . They ’ re helping you further along ." ( Jack )
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