Graduate Stories: An Interview with Temi
Roots and Shoots graduating students go on to a variety of destinations including paid work, higher level courses, supported training and volunteering. Our Graduate Stories feature our recently-graduated students who are creating a bright future for themselves. |
Like many of our students Temi was quiet when he joined Roots and Shoots in 2018, but he was brimming with potential. He began on the Study Programme, where he quickly gained a reputation as an excellent student who was ambitious about his future career goals. A PreSupported Internship with work placements at Pulse Youth Group, Caius House Youth and Club Wandsworth then gave Temi the opportunity to thrive in a range of different settings, to develop his already impressive people skills and to be decisive about his next steps. He is a great ambassador for our young people, and as a graduate has continued the work he began at Roots and Shoots as a paid Assistant Coach with Fit & Fun 4 Everyone and Disability Sports Coaching. Temi now regularly visits Roots and Shoots, helping to teach sports enrichment classes to our current students.
We interviewed Temi just before he graduated from Roots and Shoots:
What did you study at Roots and Shoots?
I studied Retail, Employability, and Functional Skills. I also did Speech and Language Therapy, Sports – football, hockey, athletics, basketball, as well as Music and Drama, and then joined the Supported Internship programme.
Tell us about the Supported Internship experience.
I did a sports internship with Club Wandsworth and DisabilitySports Coaching. I’ve done coaching courses, safeguarding and first aid. I lead my own activities with a mixed age group every Thursday evening, having planned my sessions beforehand, writing down all the activities and then sharing them through Show and Tell. I help participants with stretches, warm ups and different activities like football and cricket.
I also work one-to-one with someone with autism, mentoring him to help him to interact with the games, to communicate with other participants and to mix with the group.
What did you learn on your coaching courses?
They provide practical training for different sports, for example positions in football, so you can teach your participants. If there is too much information, I’ve learned how to break it down, using a method called Plan, Do, Review. I give feedback to my participants at the end of a session so they get a say as well. I learned that you have to be patient – they can be disruptive, especially if you’re leading the session on your own. That can be tricky.
What do you like most about coaching sports?
I like being a team player and helping others to achieve their goals. If anyone wanted to run their own session, I would love to give advice.
What other work experience have you done on the Supported Internship?
I’ve done catering at Roots and Shoots – it’s very fun and I’ve learnt lots of new things. I’ve started cooking at home more for my family. My mum is always asking when I’m going to make some more food! I’ve also worked in the shop – I’ve enjoyed learning how to use the coffee machine. I’ve really enjoyed learning about money and using the till – I’ve always wanted to improve my money skills.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt at Roots and Shoots?
I would say being sociable and able to get out and do stuff. I love my friends and the staff. It makes me feel happy to be in college.
What are you planning to do next?
I’m hoping to do more sports, and coach younger children and would have to do some more training to do that. I think it’s really important to get people involved in sports at a young age.
I want to enjoy myself as much as possible. I am hoping to get more into music – I’d like to DJ and maybe record some songs. I am hoping to gain more independence too. I am a bit nervous and at the same time a bit excited about moving on.
What advice would you give to future Roots and Shoots students?
I would say - don’t be frightened at all, enjoy every moment and enjoy the experience.
Read more about graduate stories