Mayoral Priority Skills Fund: From Volunteer to Self-Employed Coach
The Mayoral Priority Skills Fund (MPSF) provides flexible grant funding to meet current priority skills gaps in the region. These priorities have been identified through robust intelligence gathered showing there are gaps in current provision and that there is no other current funding available to meet this need.
The MPSF has supported Bath and North East Somerset NEET Programme to support young people who struggle in a school environment often thrive, supporting team building, growth in self-discipline and group working, reducing social isolation, building confidence and creating new routes into FE, HE and employment for young people.
This project is a partnership between B&NES, Bath Rugby Foundation and Little Lost Robot, presenting a unique opportunity to engage young people through non-conventional routes into education and sector skills training, alongside confidence building and mental health support.
T's journey with Bath Rugby Foundation
T is a young man who has faced significant challenges. He has learning difficulties, experienced a difficult home life after his mum left at an early age, and endured bullying throughout school. Despite these hardships, T has always greeted the world with a smile. His journey with Bath Rugby Foundation (BRF) has been life-changing, giving him confidence, purpose, and a future, he never thought possible.
Through the Advantage programme, we reconnected with T when he had stopped attending his volunteering placement with the Bath Rugby kit management team. Transport was a major barrier, but thanks to Advantage funding, we introduced T to volunteer, who started giving him lifts to his placement. Being back in that environment reignited T’s passion. He took pride in preparing the stadium changing rooms and meeting his rugby heroes on game days.
As T’s confidence grew, BRF staff provided work coaching, helping him develop essential life skills—learning to ask for help, communicate with colleagues, and write emails. His dedication and progress were so impressive that BRF gave him a new opportunity: coaching.
T – who had previously gained hands-on experience volunteering with Rugby Tots - trialled primary school rugby coaching sessions with BRF. His energy and enthusiasm shone through. School staff and BRF coaches were inspired by his natural ability to engage young players. Seeing his potential, we supported T in taking the next step—becoming a self-employed coach.
With Advantage funding, T received training on writing invoices, managing his schedule, and handling bookings. Now, T is running his own business. The young man who once ate lunch alone to avoid bullies now is paid for coaching sessions, inspiring the next generation.
T’s journey is proof that with the right support, confidence, and opportunity, barriers can be broken. Advantage funding has not only helped T find a career—it has helped him find himself.
What is the Mayoral Priority Skills Fund (MPSF)
The Mayoral Priority Skills Fund provides flexible grant funding to meet current priority skills gaps in the region. These priorities have been identified through robust intelligence gathered through delivery of previous and existing programmes, data, reports and gaps identified through Skills Connect.
