THE IM HAPPY COACHING FRAMEWORK: FROM VOLUNTEER TO PAID EMPLOYEE

The IM HAPPY [1] [2] [3] (IMproving Hopes, Aspirations, Potential and Prospects in the Youth) project is a DfC [2] (Department for Communities) funded research project based in Ulster University’s Coleraine Campus, United Kingdom, that delivers free IT classes in Robotics, 3D printing, Web Development and more, to people in the local NRAs [4] (Neighbourhood Renewal Areas) of Coleraine in order to increase confidence and raise aspirations.

The project was launched in November 2013 with three RAs (Research Assistants) and a steering committee of four University managerial staff. One of the original targets for the project was to train up a number of volunteers to a level where they were competent and comfortable to assist the IM HAPPY team in the delivery of classes. These volunteers are known as COACHes (COmputer ACcredited Helpers) once they have completed a number of IM HAPPY modules including two in ‘Computer Coaching’.

Since November 2013 the IM HAPPY project has trained 19 COACHes with 12 currently active on the project. Since the project commenced the IM HAPPY team has reduced to one full time RA with two placement students and two members of managerial stuff on the steering committee. This has increased the need for COACHes to assist in the delivery of courses. In April 2018 the IM HAPPY project received funding to employ registered COACHes as casual staff on the project for the planning and delivery of classes within the IM HAPPY catchment areas.

This paper will outline how someone becomes a COACH on the IM HAPPY project, the COACH profile, modules completed and opportunities for COACHes to be involved within the project in both a voluntary and paid capacity.

References:
[1] IM HAPPY Project, IM HAPPY website, Accessed 10 July, 2018. Retrieved from: www.imhappyni.com
[2] S.White, S.Flynn, M.Black. A.Moore. “Developing Digital Literacy in Adults” in ICERI2017 proceedings, Seville, Spain, November 18th – 18th 2017, pp.1085-1091. Accessed on: 10 July 2018 [Online]. Available: 10.21125/iceri.2017.0365
[3] S.Flynn, S.White, O.Asinobi, M.Black. A.Moore. “Inspiring Disengaged Adolscents to Engage with Technology using MIT App Inventor” in ICERI2017 proceedings, Seville, Spain, November 18th – 18th 2017, pp.6398-6406. Accessed on: 10 July 2018 [Online]. Available: 10.21125/iceri.2017.1651
[4] Department for Communities, Introduction to Neighborhood Renewal, Accessed 10 July, 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/articles/introduction-neighbourhood-renewal