School of Hard Knocks - Back in The Game
School of Hard Knocks
When
Project availability
from 19 April 2021 to 21 May 2021
What
School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is a sports charity that enables meaningful change in both adults' and children's lives. Through the use of rugby and boxing, SOHK helps adults into sustained employment and children at risk of permanent exclusion re-engage with education. Across London, Hertfordshire, Cardiff, Fife and Edinburgh the charity currently works with 700 pupils a week and 400 adults per year. SOHK previously had an annual TV series on Sky and is known for creating strong team bonds, alongside controlled mental and physical challenge. In response to the ongoing pandemic, we have modified our traditional approach to develop a shorter online version, which is delivered over one week. The first of these courses was featured on a piece by Channel 4 News in October: https://www.channel4.com/news/covid-crash-thousands-more-jobs-cut . In the courses delivered so far, over a third have moved into part-time or full-time work with over 75% moving onto some kind of positive next step (including education, training or volunteering). The course includes 3 compact zoom sessions (live) each morning for one week, with facilitated group work followed by scheduled 1-1 phone calls in the afternoon to support individual needs. With an urgent focus on re-employment, the SOHK short course is delivered over five days, within one week, running from 09:30 to 12:00 each day. Participants can do this entirely from home as long as they have access to WIFI and some means of interacting with the live sessions on a desk top PC, a laptop, a tablet or even a phone. By utilizing the Zoom platform, we recreate a sense of being together without physically being together. Our dual aim is to: Mentally - Get participants into a positive state of mind with some helpful strategies to enable a growth mindset as they consider possible new sectors and employers. Practically - Support participants as they get up to speed on their accelerated journey back into work. This includes a CV re-work, thinking through their online profiles and interview preparation and technique. In order to meet these aims, the course is split into three elements: The Body A daily session with a live online personal trainer. Research is clear that the brain is more responsive and agile after exercise. The Mind A daily session that will include a short mindfulness exercise and a range of discussions around managing anxiety, stress, resilience and growth mindset. The Future The practical elements needed to enable a quick return to work. We will be introducing new elements such as tips for interviewing online and how to build meaningful networks on LinkedIn. To find out more about the charity and how you can support or get involved with their courses and programmes, please visit www.sohk.org.uk.Organiser
