A New Direction Through Denis Law Legacy Trust Placement

Our Impact Report 2025 highlights inspiring Streetsport journeys and demonstrates how our programmes support young people every step of the way, from participant to volunteer, to paid coach and beyond.

Aberdeen-born 20-year-old Grant gained new confidence, motivation and new skills through a placement with StreetSport, delivered by Denis Law Legacy Trust.

“Before joining DLLT my plans were to go to college for a sport related course when I got in, I soon found out it wasn’t for me and left with nothing on my mind about the future I was just going day after day with no clue on what I wanted for my future.” Grant said.

Determined to try something new, Grant applied for a placement with StreetSport through the John Findlater Platform Award. This placement provides young people with opportunities to develop practical skills, build confidence and gain valuable experience, supporting their growth within the Trust while helping them pursue their wider ambitions.

The opportunity offered Grant the chance to stay connected to his passion for sport while challenging himself in a new environment.

Initially unsure about working in an office setting, Grant quickly developed a varied new set of skills and successfully completed a mentoring course, which became a key part of his role. He took primary responsibility for developing and delivering a new Bridge of Don Streetsport session, held on Thursday evenings at Westfield Park.

The mentoring aspect of the placement proved particularly impactful, allowing Grant to support another individual while developing his own confidence and leadership skills.

“I really enjoyed the mentoring as it gave me a greater responsibility due to me having to come up with different things to do with the person I was mentoring. This made me think of different activities, also getting my mentee out of their shell and talking, opening up, knowing am there for them and to help wherever I could even if it was just an ear to talk too.”

Reflecting on his journey, Grant acknowledges that while confidence was never an issue, he had previously struggled to focus on his future and sometimes found himself getting in his own way. Through his placement, Grant not only enhanced his practical and digital skills but also began to rethink his future ambitions.

With the encouragement of staff at Denis Law Legacy Trust, he is now considering a return to education and has developed a growing interest in studying psychology. Prior to the placement, he had never considered working in an office environment, preferring physical work than sitting at a desk. One of the biggest challenges he faced was developing his IT skills, as he had very little previous experience using computers. Initially, tasks such as creating PowerPoint presentations for team meetings felt daunting, but as his confidence grew, he learned how to incorporate images, videos and other content effectively. Over time, he developed skills he had never expected to gain, and the experience broadened his horizons considerably. The placement ultimately encouraged him to think differently about his future, inspiring him to consider further education and a potential career path in psychology.

Grant said: "The team at DLLT always believed in me and encouraged me to be the best version of myself. They supported me through challenges both in and outside of work, helping me build confidence and look positively towards the future. In particular, Findlay's genuine care for my wellbeing and ongoing encouragement had a lasting impact on my personal development."

He added: "DLLT was the reason I have aspired to be a psychologist. During the placement, I was involved in mentoring, which I found amazing. Being able to listen to someone’s challenges and help them was a great feeling."

The placement has provided Grant with a positive pathway forward, equipping him with the tools, confidence, and motivation to pursue new opportunities and achieve his goals.

Grant concluded: “My goals for the next couple of years are to successfully complete college and university and get a degree and eventually become a psychologist. One bit of advice I would give someone is it’s never too late to realise that you can achieve and accomplish anything you set your mind too.”

Well done Grant, and good luck!