Gareth Sargent

Experience

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  The Prince's Trust

  Sept 2015 - Dec 2015

  Participant

  The Prince's Trust scheme is designed to develop employability skills and to provide real work experience for people aged 16-25. During the 16 week long course there were several modules, each with their own specific areas of development that focused on specific skills necessary to gain employment. A week long residential stay at Kingswood's Colomendy centre aided greatly in team building and establishing trust within the group. There were planning and fundraising events, held by me and the other course participants to raise funds for supplies. These supplies would be used on our community project, aimed at helping a specific establishment in our local community. In this case, All Saint's Primary School, Hindley. They needed a huge amount of outdoor groundwork done to get the livestock pens put in place and to fit in some vegetable allotments for the school pupils to use. On top of all this was the overgrowth that covered the majority of the area. Through delegated roles, mine being the project manager, giving the orders and ensuring everyone worked to their potential to get the job done, we finished the project in less than two weeks to a very high standard.I also completed job searches and mock interviews with outside representatives of successful companies and businesses, to build up a realistic view of where to look for work and confidence in pressured situations respectively. Several speakers also gave their experiences in their various fields to broaden my horizons.An important part of the course involved independently searching for two short term voluntary positions of two weeks that best suited our abilities. My first placement was at the YMCA charity shop in Wigan. Here I assisted on the shop floor with the general everyday duties to an excellent standard. I managed to get my second placement co-presenting a radio show on Bolton FM where I had been given the position from December until February, where I then opted to pursue full time employment. Show less

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  Wigan Youth Zone

  Jun 2016 - Apr 2018

  Holiday Club & Juniors Playworker

  Wigan Youth Zone is the largest youth zone of it's kind in the UK and the whole of Europe. Facilitating for the Youth of the surrounding area, it provides a friendly, engaging and safe environment for kids to relax, make friends and enjoy themselves.My responsibilities as a playworker included:o Planning and coordinating aspects of the holiday club prior to launch with the rest of staff. o Running and supervising variety of fun filled activities and challenges from board games, roller rinks, bouncy castles, team vs team competitions, Laser tag, playground games, skate park, football and even building massive dens out of scrap cardboard and other junk! o The only member of staff during holiday club to run regular, entertaining shows in the radio booth with the children. Successfully demonstrated and taught children to use the equipment to run their own supervised shows. o Conducting tours of the entire facility to both adults and children for familiarisation.o Supervised the use of the on site lockers to ensure any valuables were accounted for and properly returned.o Applied basic first aid on many occasion as children find new and interesting ways to acquire cuts and bruises.o Ensured safeguarding practices were upheld accordingly. Show less

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  PGL Adventure Camps

  Apr 2017 - Nov 2017

  Instructor

  Instructing various activities such as Orienteering, Bush craft, Archery, Fencing and Hiking amongst others. Leading engaging, practical and entertaining activities for large groups of children, teenagers and young adults.Led over thirty half marathon cross country hikes for National Citizen Service groups and other uniformed groups such as cadets/scouts etc. Guiding them around areas of significant interest and natural beauty around the Island on foot.One of only twelve instructors (out of a staff of well over +100) trained to deliver fencing sessions. Gained multiple commendations from guests and management alike during these sessions for delivering above the expected standard with outstanding ability, enthusiasm and energy.Regularly tasked with nighttime campfire preparation and management. Ensuring a group of up to sixty guests had a roaring fire going and sustaining it throughout, alongside providing entertainment and social group conversations for the duration of the night until they left. Then doused the flames safely and prepared the area for reuse again.I achieved the 'Unsung Hero' award for my continuous, steadfast effort throughout the season, as voted for by the majority of my work colleagues and management. Not only providing guests with entertaining sessions that they will remember and gain team building skills from, but also selflessly providing support to other staff. Including covering full day catering shifts, aiding in set up of the more complex sessions like abseiling and regularly engaging with guests outside of session times to build a friendly and often comedic rapport. Show less

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  Playpals

  Apr 2018 - Apr 2021

  Playworker

  Supervising and planning various activities that provide entertainment and a chance to explore learning possibilities that build on academic learning.Providing catering for both breakfast club and after school clubs. Upholding the expected standards set by governmental guidelines.

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  THE QUEST TRUST

  Apr 2018 - now

  Teaching Assistant

  Providing 1:1 support for SEND children.Assisting the class teacher with implementation of lessons.Lunchtime Organiser, supervising the children at lunchtime, administering first aid and maintaining orderly and acceptable behaviour standards.