European Social Fund in England

“I want to use the skills I’ve gained as best I can.”

Barry Crook (left) with fellow volunteers Beca Ripley,
Daniel Brydon and Laura Sowersby.

Sixty-two year old Barrie Crook from Crawcrook, Tyne and Wear, is clocking up the hours he spends volunteering. He is actively involved in stewarding, marshalling, crowd control and first aid at major events across the North East.

And much to Barrie’s delight, he has recently completed the European Social Fund (ESF) supported Personal Best programme set him on his way to gaining volunteering opportunities at the 2012 Olympics.

The married, ex-football referee first heard about Personal Best whilst undertaking a Sports Leadership course at Gateshead Council, known as ‘Get with it’. It was whilst completing this course that Barrie heard about Personal Best, and he knew he had to sign up.

Barrie said, “Many events couldn’t take place if it wasn’t for the hard work of volunteers who steward and marshal events, to ensure the safety of those participating and those spectating. Being able to gain qualifications and recognition for doing something I love is just fantastic.”

The £1 million Personal Best programme was launched in March this year to boost employment in the North East, help learners gain qualifications and provide them with the opportunity to volunteer at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The pre-employment programme, which is co-financed by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North East, will provide volunteering opportunities for up to 1,000 people across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley.

Completing the Personal Best programme means Barrie is now the proud holder of a City and Guilds qualification. Representatives from Personal Best in London are due to visit the region, to review Barrie’s portfolio, and following this, an interview will be held that will decide if Barrie can be put forward to volunteer at the London Olympics.

Barrie continued, “The doors of opportunity that can open up once you have completed the Personal Best programme, especially the possibility of volunteering at the 2012 Olympics make all the hard work worthwhile. It would be a dream come true to be at the Olympics. I am retired but I am active and I want to use the skills I’ve gained as best I can.”

Only two weeks ago Barrie, who before retirement worked at the Inland Revenue, volunteered at the Cross Country championships in the North East. Before Barrie hopefully heads for London, he looks forward to the Schools Olympics to be held next year at Gateshead Stadium.

Julie Kelly, Business Support Manager, from Jigsaw Training, one of the four organisations delivering the Personal Best programme in the North East added, “Barrie is a great example of the experiences to be gained once individuals have completed the Personal Best programme. We all hope that the opportunities Barrie has had will see him volunteer at the 2012 Olympics.”

Since Personal Best was launched over 170 individuals have begun on the programme in the North East.

Chris Roberts, regional director, LSC North East concluded, “Personal Best has potential to transform the lives of those eligible to take part by providing a unique learning opportunity and a stepping stone to new employment opportunities, which is the ultimate aim of Personal Best. Barrie shows what can be achieved by undertaking the learning on offer and really grasping the opportunities that have come his way.”

Project information (January 2010)

The Personal Best project in the North East is delivered by four training providers: Northumberland College in Ashington; Jigsaw Training in Gateshead; Hartlepool Borough Council and New College Durham.

Participants must be aged 19 years or older and have been out of work for more than six months.

The project will receive around £1 million in ESF support between April 2009 and December 2010.