A pilot program with South Lanarkshire Community Justice Services was designed by MTGP whereby individuals undergoing Community Payback Orders attended a 6 week, specially designed, football training course, resulting in them gaining the required confidence and skill levels to successfully achieve a nationally recognised Scottish Football Association Coaching Qualification. This qualification allows attendees to volunteer in their communities or seek paid employment.
The Moving On Project was managed on a daily basis by a former attendee (see Jamie’s case study) and surpassed all expectations with several significant outcomes achieved in a relatively short period. Many attendees expressed that they wished to utilise their newly acquired skills to benefit of their families, communities or to seek paid employment.
Extensive evaluation is carried out with attendees to ensure that the Moving On Project meets needs and continually evolves to improve outcomes. The following is a sample of the personal testimonies received during the pilot:-
‘Loved the course. The coaches helped us through it. Top guys’.
‘My fitness levels have increased dramatically. I was really unfit at first and wary as I was a good bit older but easily managed to take part. I would love to become a coach with Moving the Goalposts’.
I can’t believe how easy the SFA day has been. What the coaches did with us certainly made it much easier for me come qualification day’.
‘I took my 2 boys down to the park to show them what I had been taught by the coaches. Normally they tell me what to do but they loved it and had a ball’.
‘The coaches are great and encouraged us constantly. I’ve started to think about doing more qualifications so I can coach football. I would encourage others to do the course’.
Activities build confidence, self esteem, wellbeing and team building whilst actively increasing volunteering, training and employment opportunities and reduce re-offending levels.
Funding has been achieved to carry out a further 6 courses during 2017-18 and it is anticipated that it will become fully integrated into the new Community Justice Strategy.
A similar program is also being developed targeting young offenders in prison to help them to re-integrate into family and public life upon release from prison.
Moving The Goalposts 