Adien Gordon’s work sums up the dedication of DLLT’s volunteers
Adien Gordon volunteers with Denis Law Legacy Trust’s Streetsport programme at the Tesco Youth Hub in Mastrick. The programme delivers free to access, sport and creative activity sessions for young people in Aberdeen’s most deprived communities.
Over the weekend, his story was shared via the Press and Journal after receiving his 50 hours volunteering certificate. You can read Aiden’s volunteer story below or on the Press and Journal’s website here.
“Adien Gordon is one of the shining examples of what can be achieved through the trust’s many activities. As a university student with no great passion for football, he maybe wasn’t an obvious choice to join the ranks. But he did and, after receiving a special certificate last week, explained why it has been such a positive experience.
He said: “Volunteering with Streetsport has really helped me improve both my physical health and mental well-being. It offered me a place where I could just get away from my university studies for a few hours every week and disconnect for a bit which really helped me refocus on things that were more important in my life.
“Streetsport also gave me a chance to get out and get to know people of all ages from my local community, which has really helped me get back into socialising after being stuck inside so long during Covid.
“I was quite anxious at first. I had never volunteered before and wasn’t really sure what to expect.”
Aiden added: “I was worried I would do things wrong or get in the way, but once I went along and started chatting with other volunteers and staff, I was put at ease right away.
“They were really helpful in showing what needed done and gave me an opportunity to slot right into the regular routine of the session.”
The regular use of mobile sports arenas has allowed the team to get right into the heart of communities across the city and created a platform for staff and volunteers to form partnerships with the most vulnerable young people.
It’s an example of the positive effects of different organisations pulling together in a common cause and being the catalyst for genuine progress, especially at a time when many youngsters are facing challenges.
As Aiden said: “I’d recommend to anyone that is considering volunteering to definitely give Streetsport a try, it has a massive positive impact not only on the local community and young people that come to the sessions, but on me too.
“You will learn a lot through volunteering with Streetsport whilst teaching quite a bit to the young people who attend, it’s just a huge net positive for everyone involved.
“There aren’t many opportunities for students to support the local community on a schedule that fits their timetable, but Streetsport offers that and more.”
In anybody’s language, it’s a win-win situation. No wonder Denis Law is happy that this impressive scheme bears his name.”
Aiden Gordon, Streetsport volunteer
Adien receiving his certificate for 50 hours of volunteers