Lewis gets recognition for giving disadvantaged a sporting chance
A young volunteer from Cardiff has been awarded the Co-operative StreetGames National Young Volunteer Award 2011, as recognition for the positive impact he has made on his community.
Lewis Bratcher is a volunteer for StreetGames, an award-winning charity that brings sport straight to the doorstep of young people living in disadvantaged communities.
20 year old Lewis has been volunteering with Active Opportunities in Cardiff since 2009, where he was referred to the project by the local youth centre. Having been in trouble with the police previously, Lewis wanted to get his life back on track and give something back to his community.
Lewis helped to start a youth action group called ‘Goodies in Hoodies’ to challenge people’s perceptions of young people and reduce the barriers between generations. This award-winning group has gone from strength to strength.
Lewis is an inspiration to younger members of his community – they can see first-hand how someone can turn their life around. With his help the local leisure centre has become a central hub in the community.
Doorstep sport tailors sport sessions to suit the specific demands of young people and the community in which they are run. StreetGames delivers this through a network of organisations such as Active Opportunities a scheme run by Fairwater Leisure Centre in partnership with Communities First and Waterhall Youth Centre which provides participants with training and skills in return for volunteering in the community.
The sessions are supported by members of The Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers Programme, a scheme that enables 16 – 25 year olds gain sports qualifications and community leadership skills whilst volunteering for the project.
Lewis was nominated to volunteer for StreetGames after he got involved in petty crime and anti-social behaviour. He made the decision to turn his life around and give back to the community.
Since being involved in the scheme he has gained qualifications in lifeguarding, gym instructing and volunteering and community work and has helped to set up a community youth project called Goodies in Hoodies which aims to encourage intervention into anti-social behaviour.
He has received outstanding praise from his mentors and local police officers who have been impressed with how he has changed the direction of his life. As a result of his hardi work in the community Lewis has now secured a job as a centre assistant at Fairwater Leisure Centre.
The young people taking part in StreetGames also hugely benefit from the programme, showing that they are more active, healthy and happier now they are playing sport regularly.
Volunteers like Lewis are able to gain valuable qualifications and experience to help them move forward in life.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “Lewis is a role model and an excellent example of someone who has changed the direction of his life for the better.
“The Active Cardiff initiative has had a vast positive impact on young children and communities and has lead to decreased levels of anti-social behaviour and vandalism.
“Lewis should be extremely proud of his achievements to date, he has made a considerable difference to his local area and to the quality of his own life.”
Lewis said: “I am thrilled to have even been nominated for the Co-Operative StreetGames Young Volunteer Award but to win is fantastic, I very proud of my achievements.”
Jane Ashworth, Chief Executive of StreetGames said:” “Lewis is an excellent example of how sometimes a young person, who is heading for trouble, can turn their lives around by becoming a community leader. Their frustrations and energy can be channelled into creative behaviour to find themselves and give positive answers at a local level.”
The NSPCC’s renowned HACK (Hike Against Cruelty to Kids) is taking place for the first time in St David’s and the charity is looking for local people in Cardiff who want a real physical challenge to sign up to take part. 
