I am writing my final reflection as I sit in Hewanorra International Airport, waiting for my return flight to London. Having to part ways (for now) with Saint Lucia, and the connections and communities I have worked and lived with over the last six weeks, doesn’t feel easy. But, joined to this attachment is a feeling of both satisfaction and achievement, that is demonstrative of how successful my LiA here has been, and the profound reciprocal impact the experience has had on me.
A Fruitful Partnership with United Through Sport St Lucia
As a charity partner, United Through Sport’s St Lucia team has been brilliant. During my first few days, it became evident that this was a well-organised, communally well-integrated charity. Over the programme’s fifteen years of work, it is clear they have built up a favourable island-wide reputation as caring and high-quality sports providers, shown by the friendliness of any locals who recognised us as their volunteers. I believe their model does a great job of combating volontourism potentialities by encouraging longer stays for volunteers; selecting individuals with genuine experience and interest in coaching or playing high-level sport; and staggering volunteer arrival dates to ensure that experienced group members can effectively induct newcomers, fast tracking familiarisation. Most importantly, their session agenda was adaptable to where local needs were most pressing, and their extensive network of partners meant that there was always somewhere where volunteers' contribution was useful. On our days off, there was still plenty of time to take in the activities and sights the island had to offer, and the close care shown by charity coordinators ensured there was a strong team spirit amongst volunteers throughout.
To get a sense of the programme, immersing myself in coaching sessions throughout reminded me of the importance of good sports provision, and gave me the opportunity to see regular participants grow in confidence and ability across the six weeks. It also threw me into a variety of environments that were both challenging and refreshing. One morning I could be leading an activity session for infant SEN schoolchildren in a small playground space, and by the afternoon I could be coaching national or regional-level junior footballers, tennis players, or swimmers. This variability helped ensure I had a mindset that was continuously self-reflective, encouraging me to adapt my session plans and delivery style.
Also crucial to the success of my LiA was United Through Sport’s willingness to collaborate with me on the handbook, and acknowledge its utility. Sometimes, session unpredictability could feel overwhelming and hamper delivery, so we both agreed that a well put together resource such as this could help volunteers better navigate tricky sessions, by combining general and context-specific sports coaching know-how. I am proud of the organisation’s satisfaction with the finished product, and feel fulfilled in knowing that it can represent a lasting contribution to supporting their work.
Application and Challenges of Leadership Learning and Oxford Character project Teaching
At the start of my leadership training over the past year, I struggled with engaging with the abstract nature of value-based teachings. It was not that I undervalued the principles behind ethical leadership and character development, but rather that I often dismissed conversations about breaking down and evaluating behaviours and character traits as more inherently performative than practical. However, over the training period I became more open to the value of unpacking concepts like leading with courage, bravery, humanity, and integrity, and accepted that actively reviewing how and when to practice these traits can help solidify practices that reflect these traits, and turn them into habits.
Across my LiA, needing to apply lessons in leadership and character felt like a culmination of this acceptance. I found it particularly interesting that different periods of my stay required different priorities in terms of leadership qualities. Clearly, leadership traits were intertwined and supported each other, but being able to think and apply lessons on integrity and humanity earlier in my stay, before courage and transcendence instead gained relevance towards the later stages of my trip.
Furthermore, treating value-based teaching as life lessons rather than professional ones helped ensure that the relationships I formed with other volunteers, staff, and partners, were prosperous ones. I enjoyed learning about the range of lived experience amongst both volunteers and local residents and session participants, and believe that taking an active interest in others helped me to enjoy my time with them more, but also acted as a lesson in humility, as I took inspiration from the achievements and work of others, whether this be sporting excellence, community contribution, or displaying general kindness and altruistic behaviours.
Conclusions
Overall, my work in St Lucia has been both rewarding, and eye-opening. By the end of my stay, being frequently recognised by passers by, or even asked by local supermarket workers if I had their loyalty card, reaffirmed to me a feeling of attachment to the communities I have been coaching in, and appreciation for the open hospitality shown by all. It has also made me think about what I want to do as a career, and the possible routes to a job where sports or personal development is a central feature. I would definitely hope to return to rekindle friendships made within St Lucia, and to continue supporting United Through Sport and their work.