Become Involved in the London 2012 Olympics by Helping out!
Calling all sports fans! If you would like to be part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Volunteer Programme is the best way to get involved. Volunteering at London 2012 gives you the chance to get nearer to your sporting heroes, make improvements to your local community and experience the excitement of the Olympic Games in London firsthand. Who can volunteer for London 2012? Approximately 70,000 volunteers are necessary to make the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games run efficiently. Helpers from a variety of communities and backgrounds will be recruited and coached to the best standards for London 2012. Previous helping out experience is not required to become a London 2012 Olympic Volunteer, but people must: * Be 18 or above by 1 January 2012 * Commit to a minimum of ten days’ helping out at either the Olympic or Paralympic Games * Attend a minimum of three London 2012 volunteer training sessions * Be eligible to volunteer in the UK * Pass security background inspections Helping out jobs during London 2012. London 2012 helpers will be given particular tasks, in accordance to their expertise and training. There will be two types of volunteers; specialist and generalist. Specialist volunteers will need existing skills or qualifications, for example sport or medical training. Generalist volunteers will not require any expertise or qualifications, other than the appropriate London 2012 Volunteer training. They could be given jobs in sections like: * Event services * Uniform distribution * Olympic Village operations How to become a London 2012 Olympic Volunteer: Applications to become a London 2012 Olympic Volunteer will open up this year, but you can register your interest now. Sign up on the official London 2012 website to add your name on the helping out list and receive regular email updates about the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Volunteering before London 2012. If you reside in one of the East London Host Boroughs near to the Olympic Park, you could be part of a pre-London 2012 helping out program called Changing Places. Changing Places has been set up to aid local communities prepare their region for London 2012, and seeks to: * Inspire local people to enhance public areas for example parks and open spaces * Permit people to learn new pursuits and skills * Improve the quality of the local surroundings for the London 2012 Olympic Games and afterwards Otherwise, if you have office-based skills you might want to apply to become a Trailblazer Volunteer. This involves supporting the London 2012 Organising Committee to prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Games by working one day per week in their London office. Volunteering following London 2012. It is hoped that long after the Olympic Games have finished, the London 2012 Volunteer legacy will continue. This is a thrilling chance to be an element of a wide-reaching helping out network, bettering the lives of local communities all over the UK. Discover more regarding the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games