Around 70,000 volunteers will be needed for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012 to undertake a variety of roles across the nation. The programme will be officially launched in the summer of 2010 when people will be asked to formally apply to be a volunteer at the Games.
You can register your interest at the London 2012 website and there’s already significant interest from across the UK from people who want to volunteer.
So, if you have ever thought about volunteering at the Games, why not start volunteering now in the Northwest and build up your skills and talents in time for 2012?
The Northwest has a strong background in volunteering with excellent programmes delivered through the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, Liverpool Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008 and host of major events all across the region.
Volunteering is for everyone and can be either for a one off event or a full time role. Find out how you can get involved now…
In your Area
REGISTER WITH A VOLUNTEER CENTRE
You can register within your local volunteer centre for support, advice and guidance about volunteering. They work at a local level for individual volunteers and organisations using volunteers. They will find a suitable opportunity for you and tell you more about what’s going on in your area.
GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP
If you’re particularly interested in sport, your County Sports Partnership will be able to guide you on what’s going on in sport and sports volunteering and inform you of local clubs or events going on in your area.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK
National Volunteers' Week (1-7 June) is the UK's annual celebration of the work volunteers do. During the week events are held across the country to recognise, reward and recruit volunteers.
DO-IT.ORG - FIND THE PERFECT ROLE FOR YOU
Do-It is a national database of volunteering opportunities in the UK. Here you can search and find thousands of different opportunities in your area and apply online.
YOUNG VOLUNTEERS
The games wish to inspire young people to get involved in the Games, it’s never too early to get involved and there are many projects and organisations to speak to. Vinspired deal with volunteers aged 16-25 and provide lots of help and support on how and what to get involved in.
If you are from Manchester and aged 16-25, the Young Event Volunteer Project is a perfect way to gain experience of event volunteering and an exciting opportunity to volunteer at major sporting events in the Manchester area.
What are you doing?
There are so many things you can do and there are many people already out there volunteering. Chloe, 20, from Manchester is doing this now:
“I began volunteering at the age of 15, I did lots of small events in Liverpool from the Merseyside Primary Games to the World Fire Fighter Games and have been volunteering ever since.”
“In my spare time I volunteer as much as possible. My latest role is Young Event Volunteer Development Officer for Manchester. I work on a project called the Young Event Volunteer Project which was set up by Youth Sport Trust to encourage young people to volunteer at major events.”
“My role includes recruitment and support of young volunteers aged 16-19 and deploying them at major events in Manchester like the Great Manchester Run and the Paralympic World Cup.”
“This takes up a lot of time, but I enjoy my role and I have got a lot out it; meeting new people, getting to go to major sporting events and experiencing life in the working world. The role has taken me to many places - from Paris to Loughborough!”
“I am currently doing different bits of volunteering, getting involved in 2012 and I hope to take this further in the future. The skills I have learnt from volunteering have made me realise what I want to do and have given me the confidence to do what I want. I am excited for 2012 and hope lots of people from the North West get involved.”