Volunteering opportunities in Derbyshire

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will need around 70,000 volunteers undertaking a wide variety of roles to ensure that the Games are a success. These volunteers will be known as Games Makers.

London 2012 Games Makers

There are two types of Games Maker roles: specialists, in areas such as medical services, sport or press operations; and generalists, with roles including spectator assistants, uniform distributors and ticket checkers.

London 2012 Games Makers will be passionate, dedicated, enthusiastic and inspirational. Being a London 2012 Games Maker will be hard work and time-consuming – but ultimately very rewarding.

Have you got what it takes to be a Games Maker? (opens in a new window)

Being a London 2012 Games Maker is, of course, focused very much on the summer of 2012. If you can't wait that long to start volunteering, why not get involved now in one of the many volunteering opportunities in your local area?

Local Opportunities

Derbyshire Sport is committed to supporting volunteers, and has several projects in place including:

Derbyshire Sport Coach and Leader Academy

The Derbyshire Sport Coach and Leader Academy (opens in a new window) is a support pathway for young leaders and volunteers across the county. The aim of the academy is to offer support to young volunteers by allowing them to be part of a larger pathway which provides opportunities, support and direction through out their volunteering life. The Leadership Academy has a website exclusively for members to record their volunteering hours. This then records their hours volunteered and what they participated in. As the Young volunteer accumulates hours, they achieve milestones within the County Academy which they are rewarded for. As they progress with their volunteering they get rewarded with Leadership Academy branded sports clothing. The Academy offers volunteering opportunities, celebration events, coaching course opportunities and a key link and support in guiding young people in to a possible coaching career. The Leadership Academy offers a great opportunity to 'get involved' and provides a great experience of volunteering that could lead to volunteering at major events and even at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Derbyshire Sports Volunteer Award

The Sports Volunteer Award is aimed at individuals who are aged 16 years or older, who are interesting in sports coaching and are linked or would like to be linked to the delivery of youth provision.

They will receive access to a Basic First Aid course, Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshop and a Level 1 Assistant Coach course in a sport of their choice, along with some voluntary expenses and access to the Derbyshire Sport Coach and Leader Academy. In order to complete the Award they must complete a minimum of 30 hours volunteering, coaching in a sports club or youth service environment.

Derbyshire Sport Coach Bursary Fund

The aim of the Coach Bursary Fund is to encourage and support the personal and professional development of coaches working in Derbyshire through subsidising the costs of coach education. Volunteer coaches working in sports clubs are a priority for funding.

Volunteer Coaches can receive up to 50 per cent funding to a maximum of £200 towards coach education, mentoring or observation.

Jog Derbyshire

Jog Derbyshire (opens in a new window) provides fantastic opportunities for volunteers of all ages to help people in their local community to get involved in walking and jogging activities by leading jogging groups. Jog Derbyshire is part of the national Run in England campaign aimed at increasing adult participation in road running. England Athletics sees Jog Derbyshire and its partners as the “green shoots of grass roots” for both participants and coaches, encouraging new people of all ages, ability levels and experience in to the sport. All volunteer leaders are trained through a UK Athletics accredited course and are supported by Derbyshire Sport throughout. Jog Derbyshire provides prospective coaches with an opportunity to gain experience and confidence whilst also getting one foot on the coaching ladder.

The London games will require 70,000 Games-time volunteers in order to run the event successfully. Volunteers will be recruited from all over the UK and the opportunities in Derbyshire provide great volunteering experience for anyone considering applying. You can sign up to receive updates and register your interest on the London 2012 website (opens in a new window) .

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