At Sport in Mind, we are passionate about engaging young people with our charity! We offer work experience weeks or longer student placements to those who want to learn more about what we do, and what it’s like to work in an organisation like ours. There is limited availability each year for these placements, so please apply in plenty of time. Opportunities are subject to availability and will be offered through a short interview process. Please note that most opportunities will require candidates to be based at our head office which is located in Reading, Berkshire. 

      

Who are we looking for?  

We are looking for some amazing students who can volunteer their placement time to support us in all operational areas, including administration, planning and delivery of our sports and activity sessions. Travel across your area will be required. 

You don't need to have ever picked up a racket or kicked a ball to be suitable for this role. A basic understanding of the rules of the various sports and activities we offer is desirable but not essential. It is the softer skills that really matter. We are looking for individuals who are kind, friendly and approachable, and able to engage and support our attendees so that they gain the maximum benefit.  

What will be my responsibilities be? 

You will help in all areas of the organisation and also provide support to our session leaders to help deliver fun and safe sports/activity sessions in a welcoming environment. 

Administration/Planning: 

• Support with administration tasks. 
• Learn and support with planning of sessions. 
• Attend and support us with events as required. 

Sports/Activity Sessions: 

• Welcome attendees to sessions in a friendly and warm manner. 
• Help any new attendees to settle into sessions. 
• Facilitate games by either playing yourself or taking the score. 
• Engage with our attendees in a calm, friendly and non-judgemental manner. 
• Ensure any equipment is easily accessed and in good condition. 
• General set up and tidying up as required. 
• Help to spot potential hazards and take preventative measures e.g., cleaning up spilt drinks to prevent slips. 

What training & benefits are available?  

Throughout your placement, you will learn and develop your softer, supportive skills alongside deepening your knowledge of a variety of sports and activities. We offer training opportunities around sport and mental health to help you develop your skills and grow in confidence. In addition, you will also receive one of our amazing Sport in Mind t-shirts!  

You also get to be part of our awesome, passionate Sport in Mind volunteering community and discover all the amazing benefits that sport and activity has on your own mental wellbeing. 

If you are interested in work experience or a student placement, please email [email protected] with a copy of your CV and a covering letter (please include the details of the placement such as number of hours required). 

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Student Stories

"During the summer of 2022 I worked as a marketing placement for Sport in Mind for two months. I am a second year student studying Typography and Graphic communication at the University of reading and have thoroughly enjoyed and benefitted from my time at Sport in Mind. Working with the Sport in Mind team, both in marketing and content creation, and attending sessions and meeting people, has broadened my horizons in a way I had never thought possible. As well as learning new software and design skills from the team, I have developed more of an understanding of charity work and have really seen the importance of what Sport in Mind do. Attending the sessions and fundraisers has allowed me to see just how much the team of staff and volunteers do for the community, and how many people they help on a daily basis. 

Throughout my time with the team, I've heard constant, first hand feedback from the people they help, explaining just how much vital support and care that they offer to people from all walks of life suffering mental health difficulties. As someone who has faced similar difficulties in the past, simply working alongside the Sport in Mind team has made me feel supported and valued, not only as a team member but as a person as well. 

It has been wonderful to learn new skills, meet new people and experience all sorts of wonderful things in my time with Sport in Mind, as well as to see just how essential charity and mental health support is to so many people. Thank you Sport in Mind! "

Student Placement 2022

“Throughout my week at Sport in Mind I have used a wide range of skills and attended sessions I would not normally attend. I have loved every session and enjoyed meeting lots of new people and working with new people each day. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work experience week and I’m thankful for the opportunities I have been provided with. I found it really useful to be in a real workplace. I loved learning how to coach and working with different age groups and making sure that all the sessions are enjoyable.” 

Work Experience Student 2023