YOUNG people have taken the chance this summer to access international traineeships through a York-based non-profit organisation Everything is Possible.

Jenna Flintoff, a former York College student, and Lydia Pattinson, who completed her BTEC in sports coaching and fitness at Askham Bryan College, York, prematurely due to Covid-19, were both offered the opportunity to undertake a European Commission funded Erasmus+ traineeship for three months in Aruba.

Jenna said: “Sport has always been a big part of my life, as I’ve grown up doing many sports like trampolining, gymnastics, swimming and athletics. I personally chose to undertake this amazing experience in Aruba as I wanted to develop myself in the coaching field, instead of being the participant. Also I felt it would develop me as a person as I’ll be away from home being self-sufficient, allowing me to mature and gain life skills.

I was originally going to university beginning in September 2020 so I was planning to be in Aruba for three months, but Everything is Possible offered me the chance to extend my Erasmus+ traineeship and I am now staying until Christmas, and have deferred university."