Inspiration and Legacy from the 2012 Olympic

and Paralympic Games Project

The story so far…

Katie Jackson

By the end of this workshop you’ll know:

• What opportunities are available around the 2012

Games

• An easy way to harness the enthusiasm around the

2012 Games and stand out from the crowd

240,000 people applied to be a Games Maker

Only 70,000 places

68,000 people who will be rejected are new to volunteering

People are already inspired

Selection events across the UK

Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy:

• 6th – 21st March

Working with LOCOG to promoting Do-it at the selection events

How can you get involved?

Do-it: The National Volunteering Database

536,000 registered volunteers

1.4 million opportunities to volunteer

52,000 opportunities applied for each month

130,000 unique visitors each month

Volunteering England

Supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering

Influencing policy that affects volunteering

Members helpline for expert advice on individual issues

Quality accreditation for Volunteer Centres

What else is happening?

• Cultural Olympiad activities• Environmental efforts

• Torch Relay

• Host City programs

• London Ambassadors program• Training venues, camps and warm up events

• Open weekend

Stand out from the crowd

As large numbers of people will be directed to www.do-

it.org because they are inspired by the Games,

maintaining this Games theme is one of the best ways

to capture their interest

Do this by creating a Game inspired volunteering

opportunity

Defining opportunities

It is likely to BENEFIT your local community now and/or in the future.

It is an opportunity that CELEBRATES the 2012 Games.

A DEMONSTRABLE link with the 2012 Games between either the

opportunity or the organisation can be seen in the description.

It is a practical EXPRESSION of the Olympic values such as friendship,

courage, determination, excellence, equality, respect and inspiration.

Opportunities that fit

1. Which of these opportunities fit the Games

inspired volunteer opportunity definitions?

2. Which opportunities do not fit and why?

Demonstrating inspiration

Writing descriptions to show Games inspiration

How can we make the previous “no fit” examples

“fit”?

Original opportunity

Keen Gardeners needed

We’re looking for people to pitch in at our one day gardening

extravaganza! Volunteers will be helping to clear a two mile

stretch of the canal towpath. By giving us just a few hours of

your time, you will help to make this area safer and more

attractive for the community to enjoy.

Inspired opportunity

Keen Gardeners needed

We’re looking for people to pitch in at our one day gardening

extravaganza! Volunteers will be helping to clear a two mile

stretch of the canal towpath. By giving us just a few hours of your

time, you will help to make this area safer and more attractive for

the community to enjoy.

As the Olympic Park is close by, your hard work will ensure that

visitors to this area in the summer of 2012 experience this

community at it’s best.

Inspired opportunity

Keen Gardeners needed

We’re looking for people to pitch in at our one day gardening

extravaganza! Volunteers will be helping to clear a two mile

stretch of the canal towpath. By giving us just a few hours of

your time, you will help to make this area safer and more

attractive for the community to enjoy.

We will pair experienced gardeners with novices, helping

promote Olympic values of friendship and inspiration. The day

will end with a medal ceremony, showcasing individuals who

have learnt from their experienced team mates.

Is it just rebranding?

• NO! Volunteering opportunities should not be incorrectly

advertised, just to use the Games as leverage

• Think of the volunteer’s journey and the reputation of your

organisation

• Genuine opportunities inspired by the Games may appeal to

new volunteers, especially those people who are inspired by

the Games to volunteer for the first time

• Quilts for London

• Orchard Olympics

• Inter-generational Archery

Real examples

Further support

To recruit volunteers for your Games inspired ops

Contact your local Volunteer Centre

To recruit directly on Do-it, contact YouthNet atpartnerships@youthnet.org