Celebrating volunteers

by Jennie Arthur

Senior workforce project manager, Sport England

As lockdown continues to ease, it’s not just participants who are enjoying being able to return to their clubs and groups.

To the delight of millions of volunteers, they are now able to get back to doing what they love as well.

It’s not been an easy time for volunteers. While many will have had to make the difficult decision to step back to shield themselves or protect family members, others have been able to step forward to help their communities when they needed it most.

This has often meant going above and beyond their usual commitments, working tirelessly to support their clubs and community groups to come through these challenging times.

Thank you

This week is Volunteers’ Week, a time to recognise and champion the amazing efforts of the people who make community sport possible.

Last month, we shared a message of thanks to all the amazing volunteers who’ve helped sport and physical activity over the last year. Led by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, the video celebrates the invaluable role that volunteers have played throughout the pandemic and sends a message of heartfelt thanks to all those who’ve supported, and continue to support, grassroots sport and physical activity.

The video audio consists of voiceovers from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE and a mix of participants from different sports. There is a stock backing track that is not an identifiable song.

Baroness Grey-Thompson is shown with a window in the background as the video begins. She addresses the camera.

Baroness Grey-Thompson: We know that the coronavirus pandemic has been a difficult and challenging time. But we also know this period has brought out the best in us too.

Footage of a Zoom call run by a sports club for its participants is shown. This changes to an image of a volunteer getting ready to deliver a food parcel, then another volunteer who has just delivered a food parcel at someone’s front door, before returning to the Zoom call footage.

Baroness Grey-Thompson’s voiceover continues: It’s been a time of kindness, of giving, and of selflessness where people have further stepped up to help their communities. Sport and physical activity has been hit really hard, which means the invaluable role that volunteers, like you, play has never been more important. To the millions of people helping grassroots sport and activity come through these difficult times, we want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you.

During the voiceover, footage of children taking part in rugby activities from before the pandemic is seen, which then changes to adults taking part in rugby before the pandemic.

A photo of a coach talking to a number of young female football players on a pitch is shown.

A photo of a volunteer helping a participant is shown. They are holding a large and small ball.

A photo of a boy and girl on adapted bikes is shown with a volunteer in the background.

The video then returns to Baroness Grey-Thompson addressing the camera, before a photo of a young female boxing participant is shown holding a thank you sign.

Baroness Grey-Thompson’s voiceover continues: Thank you for working tirelessly to keep your clubs, groups and sports activities going.

The camera pans across the screen as photographs of participants from different sports are seen holding up thank you signs. Some participants are holding sports equipment.

Thank you for your incredible dedication and commitment.

A photo of a female cyclist is shown holding up a thank you sign.

Thank you for supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of people everywhere.

A photo of a female participant on a sports pitch holding a thank you sign is shown. The sign has a hockey stick and ball on it.

By going the extra mile, and by not giving up, you’ve made a real difference.

The camera pans across the screen as new pictures of participants holding up thank you signs are displayed. Some participants are holding equipment too.

You’ve improved the lives and helped your communities when they needed you most.

A photo of a participant wearing a riding hat and gloves and holding a thank you sign is shown. She is standing next to a horse.

A photo of a male participant holding a thank you sign is shown. He is standing in a garden.

We know it’s not been easy, and that there’s still a long way to go.

Footage of another Zoom session is shown, with people clapping and waving to the camera.

A photo of a female participant wearing a rugby top and holding a thank you sign is shown.

Baroness Grey-Thompson’s voiceover continues: The familiar sights and sounds of the sport and activities we love will soon return, and our clubs and groups will thrive again. But that can only happen thanks to people like you.

Video footage of a hockey participant hitting a ball in their garden is shown.

Video footage of two people playing squash is shown.

Video footage of a club’s exercise class is shown.

Footage of a female tennis player training is shown. The player is a wheelchair user.

The video then returns to Baroness Grey-Thompson addressing the camera, before the camera pans across the screen again to show multiple photos of participants holding up thank you signs. Some are dressed in sports kit.

A photo of a young female participant holding a thank you sign is shown.

Baroness Grey-Thompson’s voiceover ends: So please, keep giving whatever time you can – and keep making the difference. Thank you. From all of us.

A photo of a woman wearing a red t-shirt holding a thank you sign is shown.

A female participant is shown. She addresses the camera as a caption comes up in the top left of the screen saying “A message from participants”.

Participant 1: To the volunteers who work so hard to keep our clubs and groups going…

The video changes to a male participant addressing the camera, before changing to an image of a participant from a shooting club holding a thank you sign as the second participant continues talking.

Participant 2: We want to say a massive thank you. Because of you, we have something to return to…

The image changes to a female participant holding a thank you sign. The video then cuts to a young female participant who addresses the camera.

Participant 3: And we will be able to take part in the sports and activities we love once again.

The video changes to a male participant who address the camera. As he talks, the video shows another image of a female participant wearing sports kit and holding a thank you sign.

Participant 4: During this difficult period, you have given us hope and kept us connected and made us feel excited about coming back. Thank you for everything you have done…

A photo of another female participant holding a thank you sign is then shown, before a male participant wearing sports kit is shown addressing the camera:

Participant 5: And for all that you continue to do.

The video changes to a female participant who address the camera directly, and also uses sign language to sign some of her words while talking.

Participant 6: You’re amazing, we can’t wait to see you again.

The screen fades out to a montage of photos, all show participants holding thank you signs. Lots of different sports kits are being worn and different equipment is being held showing that the participants come from a wide variety of sports and activities.

The screen then shows a new page, displaying the logos of:

Active Partnerships Network
Angling Trust
Archery GB
England Athletics
Badminton England
Baseball Softball UK Basketball England
Boccia England
Bowls Development Alliance
England Boxing
British American Football Association
British Canoeing, England
England and Wales Cricket Board
British Cycling
British Fencing
The Football Association
Goalball UK
England Golf
British Gymnastics
England Handball
England Hockey
British Ice Skating
British Judo Association
England Lacrosse
Pentathlon GB
British Mountaineering Council
England Netball
British Orienteering
Riding for the Disabled Association
Rounders England
British Rowing
Rugby Football League
Rugby Football Union
Royal Yachting Association
British Shooting
Sport for Development Coalition
England Squash
Swim England
Table Tennis England
Lawn Tennis Association
Triathlon England
Volleyball England
British Water Ski & Wakeboard
British Weightlifting
British Wheelchair Basketball
British Wrestling Association

The Sport England, Club Matters Programme logo is then shown, with the Club Matters website and Sport England website addresses included below.

If you're involved in an organisation that relies on volunteers, why not share the video on social media? It'd be great to let everyone who volunteers in sport and physical activity know how appreciated they are.

A time to inspire

As well as thanking volunteers, Volunteers’ Week is also an opportunity to inspire others to want to get back into volunteering, or perhaps to do so for the first time.

Over the course of the next seven days, we’re asking volunteers to tell their stories on social media using #VolunteersWeek - to share why they do what they do and what it means to them to be back. By giving them a platform to share their stories, we want to help people reconnect with their motivations, to remember their ‘why’ and the difference they make.

Whether it’s to give back to a sport they love, or to help children be the best they can be, the reasons why people volunteer are many and varied.

For people like Malcolm, a Cycling Projects volunteer, helping others achieve brings a huge joy and satisfaction.

“It’s impossible to describe in words the gigantic beaming smile on my face and the warm satisfaction I felt inside when one of our clients managed to cycle on his own for the first time with my guidance,” he said.

“My smile was nothing compared to that on his face and that of his carer.

“Why volunteer? For the times and moments of sheer joy it often brings.”

For others, the personal benefits can be significant, especially after such a challenging year.

Whether it’s to give back to a sport they love, or to help children be the best they can be, the reasons why people volunteer are many and varied.

Anthony helps disabled people get into cycling and volunteering has positively impacted his wellbeing.

“I was going a little stir crazy, after a year of lockdown and isolation, so I was looking for something to get involved with,” he said.

“In a few short weeks of volunteering, I feel happier and more confident. I feel more worthwhile than I did before.”

The benefits of volunteering

At a time when sports clubs and organisations have faced unprecedented challenges, the invaluable role of those who give up their time to support the sport sector has never been more apparent. Without them, community sport would look considerably different.

But what’s also apparent is the positive impact volunteering has on those who give their time. Volunteers have missed the feelings of purpose, impact and satisfaction which volunteering can bring.

There’s a sense of anticipation and excitement amongst volunteers, and an appreciation of the vital role they play in helping community sport bounce back.

With the support of our amazing volunteers, community sport will thrive again, enabling millions of people to benefit from all the great things we know sport and physical activity can provide.

To those who give their time to support others, thank you.

Please keep giving whatever time you can and keep making the difference – because you really do.

To hear more from inspirational volunteers, check out some of the stories below about what it means to them to be back doing what they love.

Happy #VolunteersWeek!

'Why I volunteer'

Michael Whittaker - Bournemouth BMX Club chairman and Access Sport coach

I've been lucky enough to have been riding bikes for over 45 years and it’s something I've always taken for granted.
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Volunteering and coaching gives me the opportunity to try and give people the same opportunities and enjoyment that I’ve had through cycling, both on a competitive and fun level. Volunteering also gives me the opportunity to stay involved in cycling long after my legs give up.

I still ride and compete myself and a return to volunteering also means a return to riding for myself. Lockdown left us all in limbo and I’m sure many coaches and volunteers felt the same frustrations as many of our riders did.

I couldn't wait to get back into coaching and club activities and it’s been great to see so many familiar faces again. It’s been good also to build up people’s confidence in their riding again and to interact with others after such a long period of enforced lockdown.

Volunteering is what we do and it’s a huge part of my life as I’m sure it is for lots of people. Life is too short to spend it watching TV and drinking tea, restrictions are easing it time to ride bikes!
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Sabah Hamed – ECB volunteer for Dream Big Desi Women

Why do I volunteer? To be the reason why someone’s day was a little brighter because of cricket.
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I wanted to get back into volunteering because I can see and hear all the pent up energy and demand for cricket all around me. When I’m volunteering it’s the one time I am able to be me, have fun, be surrounded by incredible women and make a difference to my community.

This is a time when we all need to support each other as we come out of this pandemic and hopefully I am able to start the journey to a healthier community.
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Martin Collcott, chairman, City of Peterborough Sports Club

Lockdown and the various restrictions imposed has not been easy over the last 12 months, with challenging conversations regarding expenditure costs and very little income being generated through match fees and social events/bar takings.
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We’ve needed to take a measured and practical approach and return gradually and ensure the membership were comfortable in returning to a safe environment, compliant with government guidance.

The conversations I’ve had with members have been very encouraging and in some ways quite emotional, in that they are now returning to the sports and comradeship they’ve missed and have been very gracious to the volunteers who’ve kept the sports club functional during this unprecedented time.

Volunteering, for me, is all about putting something back into the club that has in the past given something to you.

As a member for 47 years and having played all the sports being offered to a different standard, I had the support of volunteers during that time to encourage me and build up my confidence of being around other members from different backgrounds and cultures.

In turn, through volunteering I can see the development of our juniors who are now benefiting in the same way I did all those years ago.
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Thank you

A time to inspire

The benefits of volunteering

'Why I volunteer'

Michael Whittaker - Bournemouth BMX Club chairman and Access Sport coach

Sabah Hamed – ECB volunteer for Dream Big Desi Women

Martin Collcott, chairman, City of Peterborough Sports Club

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