Social Impact Programme – Case Study | Kailey

Kailey’s Story

Kailey (not her real name) is an S2 pupil now in her second year of the CashBack programme at Lochend Community High School. Kailey was referred to the programme by her pastoral care teacher due to some challenges at home and a lack of confidence to socialise. It was reported that Kailey came from a difficult background in Easterhouse where life at home was challenging. Kailey was limited to opportunities and support which resulted in her low moods and almost no self-esteem.. Kailey’s life before she took part in the CashBack programme was incredibly challenging which resulted in poor attainment and engagement within school.  As Kailey would find the classroom environment overwhelming, she would spend most of her day roaming the corridors and not attending her classes. Being in first year, coming from a small primary school, Kailey found high school a very daunting place with many unfamiliar faces thus resulting in her anxiety and nerves affecting her education, her ability to make friends and her overall wellbeing. The pastoral care department placed a referral with basketballscotland’s Social Impact Officer to try and engage Kailey in some youth work and alternative curriculum with some extra support.

When Kailey started with the group last year, she was the only girl and very timid.  When the group was on court Kailey asked for the first few weeks if she could watch from the sidelines. The Social Impact Officer used these weeks where Kailey was sitting at the side to spend some 1-1 time building rapport and gaining her trust. As the weeks went on Kailey joined in on court and started to gradually overcome her nerves. Kailey struggled with her confidence and during off-court activities would very rarely speak out or chat with her peers. We are now in the second year of the programme and Kailey has improved remarkably with her confidence and self-esteem. Kailey is now a keen basketball player, plays a dominant role on court and has made great friendships with the other young people in the group.   Kailey also takes part in the team building off court sessions and is now sharing her thoughts and opinions with her peers during these workshops.

Kailey was also awarded the team building award off court as she took part in another team building exercise with her group where her communication skills, patience and ability to work as a team were outstanding in comparison to before.  Kailey was accredited the Education Through Cashback communication qualification whilst being part of the programme.

A personal milestone for Kailey was when the evaluators for the CashBack programme wanted to interview her. Kailey initially said no as she was nervous. However, on the day Kailey appeared for the interview, she said she was nervous but wanted to pursue this personal challenge. Kailey therefore completed the interview and was extremely proud. From the young person who would not engage with anyone nor have the confidence to have a conversation to now being interviewed by external agencies to highlight her story with the basketballscotland Cashback Programme is remarkable.

Kailey’s growing skills and confidence on court have led to Kailey being supported by the Social Impact Officer to join the Glasgow Storm basketball club out with school.

To see the growth Kailey has gone through from the young person on the sidelines to the new found passion she has for basketball is an amazing achievement. To the girl too nervous to talk in workshops to the girl taking the lead with team building exercises is incredible. Through the CashBack programme Kailey has built a great rapport with the Social Impact Officer and her class mates which has helped tremendously with her confidence, social skills and the opportunities to play more basketball out with school.

Kailey also has a solid network of friends in school, these friendships are with other young people in the Cashback programme who now are socialising out with the sessions and in the community. basketballscotland has provided Kailey with the tools and opportunities to develop her confidence, social skills, wellbeing and the opportunity to find her passion in basketball. In her own words:

“ I love coming to school now because of basketballscotland, it makes school fun…I can’t believe I am the only girl in the group and I still enjoy playing each week with the boys. I want to work as a basketball coach when I’m older or be a Social Impact Officer.“