Being a volunteer coach at YesFutures

Hi, my name is Shakadé and I am an aspiring life coach. I am writing this blog to share my first experience of coaching, especially at Yes Futures!

Yes Futures has helped me understand the value of coaching and to understand that all coaches one way or another have something we share in common, and that is to help whoever we are coaching reach their set goals and targets.

If I could say one thing about coaching, I would say every coaching session is different. No matter how much you prepare or how confident you may feel, coaching is an experience that can take you on a path to so many possibilities. You just have to remember why you're doing this and what you would like to take from your experience.

Would you like to be a volunteer coach

What is coaching like with Yes Futures?

My experience with Yes Futures has been very positive, If I do say so myself. Being a volunteer coach at Yes Futures has been a good way for me to gain experience as a beginner coach as it helps you to develop skills in a more practical way. Instead of doing theory or role play, you're literally diving into the deep end! I know what you're thinking, why would I want to dive into the deep end? Well, I will tell you.

Yes Futures have put together numerous amounts of support. You are surrounded by other first time coaches and many experienced coaches as well, who are willing to share any advice that they possibly can. Impact Coaches are there to help drive the team, they can recognise your strengths and weaknesses and let you know what could have gone better.

My First day Coaching

On my first day of coaching, I was filled with mixed emotions. I was confident I could get through the day, but nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. I remember telling myself I'm not cut out to be a coach, I’m not ready. I had to remind myself that this is a new experience for the students too.

My nerves started to settle once the briefing was over and I was given the opportunity to shadow a coach in a coaching session. I was amazed at how the session flowed from the ‘getting to know me’ stage to being able to set goals and targets. After watching the session with the first coach, I was confident that I could have the same impact. I had 3 students that I had to get to know and each coaching session with them took a positive route of their own.

Speaking to those 3 students reminded me of why I wanted to be a coach. I want to be a coach so I can help as many people as I can to achieve their goals in life. So I have to thank those 3 students as they may not know but they have also helped me get one step closer to becoming the life coach that I dream to be.

Interested in coaching at Yes Futures

Meeting the students in person

I had the opportunity to meet the students in person at their Play Your Part trip; a key part of Yes Futures’ programmes where students volunteer with a local community project. Here I got to learn more about the students in a deeper way, I got to actually see their characteristics. This helped me understand the type of students I was coaching and made me more prepared for my second coaching session.

The group we were working with spent the day at Wellgate Community Farm where you could see they started to build the courage to touch the animals and interact with them. I can definitely say I could see the students building on their skills (Confidence, Communication, Resilience and Self-Awareness) throughout the day. The students had to communicate with each other, gain confidence to pick the animals up to check they’re healthy, some were scared and knew they had fear but challenged themselves to get involved. I have put together a little video of the students on that day.

Would I recommend coaching at Yes Futures

In all honesty, yes. Yes Futures has allowed me to discover the skills I have to become a better coach. I would recommend this experience to new and experienced coaches, and I believe that many others could benefit from this experience.

Thank you for reading,

Shakadé

Do you want to empower young people to believe in themselves and develop your coaching skills? See how you can become a Yes Futures coach.