Press Release: 2012 to inspire Coventry and Warwickshire volunteers

Interest in volunteering throughout Coventry and Warwickshire has received a boost following the opportunity for people to work as Games Maker volunteers at the London 2012 Games.And now a free workshop is being held in Coventry to harness some of the renewed appetite for volunteering in the sub-region and ensure local organisations benefit from it.Volunteering England have teamed up with Voluntary Action Coventry, and with the support of the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for the 2012 Games (CW2012), Coventry City Council, Coventry Active and Coventry University, will host a volunteering-orientated Legacy Workshop at the Ricoh Arena Community Space in Phoenix Way on Thursday, January 27 between 5.15pm and 9.15pm.Mike Gale, from Volunteering England, said: “Volunteering England is delighted to be working with Voluntary Action Coventry to empower organisations in Coventry and Warwickshire to get involved with the 2012 Games.“We are doing so in an official Olympic venue, the Ricoh Arena, which shows how much inspiration already exists in the area for local groups to capitalise their volunteer recruitment around London 2012.”Sue Ogle, from Voluntary Action Coventry, said: “We are really excited about this event as it will be a fantastic opportunity for groups to think about how they can develop Games-inspired volunteer roles.“We will be on hand during and after the event to support groups with recruiting volunteers as well as offering good practice advice on volunteer management.“We are already beginning to see an increase in enquiries from individuals around sports, arts and culture volunteering and expect this will grow as we get closer to 2012.”The workshop aims to provide organisations in the region with information and advice to support them develop Games-inspired volunteering roles, use the power of the Games to engage volunteers and provide an overview of what is happening in Coventry and Warwickshire in the run-up to London 2012.Support will be given at the event and after with help for advertising and recruiting volunteers as the workshop looks to assist organisations to increase the number and diversity of volunteers.Councillor Abdul Khan, cabinet member for culture, leisure, sport and libraries, said: “This is a great opportunity for community organisations to develop their volunteer base and support groups to create 2012-based volunteer opportunities in their local community.“The fact that Coventry is going to be an Olympic host city is fantastic news and we want as many local people as possible to feel part of this wonderful occasion. “I would encourage groups to attend the workshop and use the power of the 2012 games to engage new volunteers.”Will Bastin, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership assistant for the 2012 Games, said: “Up to 70,000 volunteers will be needed to make London 2012 happen and that fact has helped to raise the awareness of the vital role volunteering can play, not only in hosting a major event like the 2012 Games, but also in local communities.“We hope this workshop will help drive people further towards volunteering opportunities in the sub-region and result in local organisations directly benefiting from the country hosting the 2012 Games.”To attend this workshop on behalf of an organisation seeking to develop volunteering opportunities call 02476 220 381.

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