“We’ve got access to a huge amount of people who do great work. We want to tap into what people are really passionate about and find a way to do that through the AC,” said Darren Robson, who is heading
up the SR group and leading the Kidsco Coaching Excellence programme.
Meanwhile, some £100,000 in EU funds have been secured for the development of a coaching framework to support minority female entrepreneurs in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
The SR group is in talks with an African micro-finance charity to understand how members can make a contribution.
It is also exploring ways to collaborate around the SR agenda with the International Coach Federation in the UK.
Coaching is currently being offered on a pro-bono basis but Robson said the AC aims to raise a global fund for work of this kind.
The SR group’s global perspective is in keeping with an increasingly global outlook at the AC in general, he said. In June the association will be unveiling its new global structure.
Robson has already met with the core team at Kidsco and has put together a team of 10 AC coaches to take part in the pilot at Sherborne House, London. The charity was set up by psychotherapist and social entrepreneur Camila Batmanghelidjh. Some 97 per cent of the children self-refer.
“This charity deals with vulnerable children from underprivileged backgrounds, who may have survived abuse,” said Robson. “It gives them support and structure and someone who is there long term. It’s inspirational and these people do amazing work.”
The AC is exploring ways to support the young people from Kidsco to take responsibility for their financial independence, helping them break free from the poverty trap. One way might include apprenticeships in the fashion industry.
To get involved, email: darren@associationforcoaching.com
For more information on kidsco go to: www.kidsco.org.uk