What is SLAM!?
SLAM! is a leadership and enterprise programme for schools, colleges and universities. It is based on peer-to-peer coaching with real life outputs which are projects or small businesses. Cohort 1 of young people are coached by specialist coaches to develop a range of leadership QEAS (qualities, experiences, attitudes and skills) via practical programme of activities. Cohort 1 of young people then coach Cohort 2 of young people the same programme. part of the leadership QEAS incudes enterprise and project management modules. Cohort 1 and 2 of young people then organise and deliver a community event, followed by another and then they organise a commercial event e.g. a festival or show for which people are charged to attend. In this way Cohort 1 and 2 develop budgeting skills, people skills, event management skills. Cohort 2 coaches Cohort 3 of young people. Cohort 2 and 3 offer more events/services on a commercial basis and steadily the SLAM! progress moves from being a leadership education programme into a social business setting where the coaching becomes the training for the young people to work in the social business. Cohort 3 coaches Cohort 4 and so on.
This has been placed into 12 UK schools, 5 community groups and we are currently piloting it in Lithuania, Greece and Spain. The community and enterprise projects allow the programme to become self sustaining without the need for funding.