Ben, 20 from Springburn went to Madrid, Spain for 1 month as a sports coach. He was unemployed and needed support on his direction in life. In Madrid, he volunteered 4 days a week with 2 Spanish youth organisations, helping them to deliver football and coaching sessions. It was an opportunity for Ben to take stock of life and consider his next steps and future back in Glasgow.

“It was an experience that I won’t forget. I wanted to go to get away, to go somewhere different and get away for a bit. The experience helped me realise what I wanted to do and make a plan on how I was going to get there. I received support from Achieve More while I was there that made me enjoy the experience more.

I am definitely more mature and independent because of Erasmus+ and the thought of other young people not having this in the future would be a huge loss. Young people where I am from may never get the opportunity to go away and experience different cultures and see the world. That is going to have a big impact on young people’s opportunities and futures. ”

Ben is now a community coach with Achieve More Scotland and coaches in Schools across Glasgow. He is going to be completing his professional development certificate in Youth Work practice through Glasgow Kelvin College this Summer, supporting him to become a youth worker, he thanks Erasmus+ for being a part of his journey to the man he is now.