London 2012 could leave the country a legacy of healthy, active and community-spirited people – if existing volunteering and training initiatives start planning how to adapt in the build-up to the Olympics and beyond, according to the UK’s biggest volunteering and training charity.
Jason Tanner, CSV spokesman, said: “It will be the energy of the 70,000 volunteers involved that will make the London Olympics and Paralympics the brilliant success that they deserve to be.”
But with more than 5 million people currently volunteering in sport in England – the equivalent of 720,000 full-time workers – it is important to identify where existing volunteering and training projects could link-in with the build-up to the big event.
“Voluntary organisations need to look at their existing programmes to see how they can be adapted to ensure there’s a legacy beyond the main event of 2012,” said Jason. “This includes intergenerational projects such as CSV’s Retired and Senior Volunteers programme where older people currently work with pupils at schools throughout the UK. This involvement of volunteers in schools could be expanded further. There may also be opportunities to create training opportunities in construction for young people across London when contracts for the building work get underway. There are already good examples where more enlightened companies have looked at options for involving communities within their business.”
CSV, currently celebrating Sports Month for The Year of the Volunteer (until August 31st), is involved in a number of projects linked to sport that demonstrate how the Olympics could allow people from many backgrounds to get fit, get involved and learn new skills in the build-up to the Olympics and beyond.
Volunteers around the country are involved in projects bringing sport to young people who otherwise wouldn’t get the opportunity to take part. From football to canoeing, rock climbing to mountain biking, volunteers learn new skills while at the same time helping others.
Sarah Harris, Project Development Officer for the CSV Springboard project in Sunderland, said one of her volunteers was motivated to learn to read thanks to his volunteering, as he needed to read kayak safety manuals to pass qualifications.
“Young people don’t generally look at sport as academic, they look at it as fun. So if they can have fun, help other people and learn new skills at the same time, it’s ideal,” she said.
Other CSV training projects team up with major football clubs including Arsenal and Sunderland, with volunteers running training sessions for children from the inner cities.
In Somerset, anyone with a sporting hobby – from golf to horse-riding - can share their skills with people with learning difficulties. Siobhan Davis, Project Worker for CSV’s Somerset Leisure Action Partnership (SLAP), said:
“Our volunteers often have an interest in a sport themselves and are well placed to help others become involved too. For example a volunteer might go to the driving range every week, so all they have to do is take someone with special needs along with them.
“Because we’re in a rural area it’s hard for people to get about. One of our volunteers took someone out to the pub to play pool, then would take them window shopping. Now that person, thanks to the volunteer, has learned how to use the bus themselves so can get out more.”
Pupils around the country use sport to become involved in their local communities, through CSV’s Barclays’ New Futures projects. Examples include a team of sixth formers from Newquay who set up a series of sports competitions including a swimathon, which featured 12 primary schools, and a cross-country league which was supported by 200 parents. One of the sixth formers commented:
“It has taken every spare moment of our time to organise all the events but it is worth it to see the effort the youngsters put into their sports activities, whether for competition or pleasure. Their enjoyment and energy is boundless.”
CSV full-time and gap year volunteers take part in a wide range of projects, gaining new skills and unforgettable experiences. Andrea Knittel, from Austria, spent a year at Ravenswood Village in Berkshire, home to 175 adults and children with learning difficulties. She is now reflecting on one of the highlights of her year when she accompanied 30 of the residents to the Special Olympics in Glasgow
“I will certainly never forget focusing on every single breathtaking step taken by Howard Webber towards the podium, reaching out for the gold medal of the boccia games. For me as a volunteer, the Special Olympics was a great and unique experience in my life. I definitely will never forget them.”
Older volunteers can also add an incredible amount to the sporting life of the nation, whether as coaches, organisers or drivers. CSV Environment in East Birmingham organises healthy walks which give local people the chance to get some exercise.
Spokesman Tim Whiteside says: “Going for a walk with a group and a walk leader gives older people a chance to enjoy their local park, which they might not otherwise do alone because of their fear of crime.
“We’ve had a great amount of help from volunteer walk leaders. They are great at getting people from their own community involved – and because they know the area, they can make the walk really interesting.”
For case studies and further information please contact Chris Pitt, Year of the Volunteer Press Officer on 0207 812 0036, cpitt@csv.org.uk; or Martin Walford on 0207 812 0033, mwalford@csv.org.uk .
Notes for editors
1. SLAP is Somerset Leisure Access Partnership
2. Year of the Volunteer 2005 is owned by volunteers, led by a partnership between CSV (Community Service Volunteers) and the Volunteering England Consortium, and supported by the Home Office.
3. The Volunteering England Consortium consists of Volunteering England, TimeBank, do-it, The Media Trust, Bitc and Youth Action Network.
4. To find out more about events and activities during the Year of the Volunteer 2005, please visit the official website at www.yearofthevolunteer.org or visit www.sportmonth.org and watch The Community Channel 24 hours a day on Sky 585 and Telewest 233. It’s also on ntl 14 and from 6-9am on Freeview 46; and Ceefax page 650. Alternatively, contact the CSV Action Desk at your local BBC radio station.