Who can Participate in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games?
The answer is – anyone and everyone! Applications are now open to become a volunteer at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, hosted in Birmingham. Whether you have years of volunteering experience, or none at all, everybody is welcome to join in. According to the Birmingham 2022 website, ‘all you need is positivity, enthusiasm and dedication to help deliver a Commonwealth Games to remember’.
Here at Art at the Heart, we understand the benefits of volunteering for a sense of wellbeing and community spirit. We recently celebrated our own wonderful volunteers, who freely give a collective annual total of 4,655 hours to our organisation through assisting with art workshops, cultural events and other behind the scenes work. Read more about our fantastic team here.
We’re keen to promote this exciting once-in-a-generation opportunity for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. More than 13,000 volunteers will be recruited and trained in a range of different roles, including drivers, first aiders, meet and greeters, kit carriers and courtside assistants. There will be two types of volunteers: generalist and specialist, and each individual will receive full training for their unique position.
In addition to sports-themed roles, there will be volunteers responsible for organising the cultural programme and delivery of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, so if you love arts and heritage, this role is perfect for you. There are also opportunities within marketing and communications, media operations and technology.
Why Should I Volunteer?
The benefits of volunteering include developing leadership, learning new skills and creating a legacy, according to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games hometown heroes. Local netball coach Joan Hunter said that ‘this is your city and your chance to do something that makes your city proud’.
Volunteers from previous Commonwealth Games have also described their experience, with Rose from Sutton Coldfield stating that she ‘enjoyed being part of a big spectacle and knowing that I was helping young athletes to fulfil their dreams’. The qualities that these speakers have mentioned, such as feeling connected to others and learning something new, are both important parts of the NHS 5 Steps to Wellbeing.
This is also a unique chance to shed light on the city of Birmingham, a diverse and vibrant community. This will be the first time that the West Midlands has hosted the event, following London 1934 and Manchester 2002, and the organisers are keen to keep local people in mind. Having documented over 1,000 voices from across the region, they discovered that people love Birmingham for its cultural diversity, and they aim to showcase how ‘Birmingham has evolved from the workshop of the industrial revolution, to a global powerhouse of innovation and creativity’.
Since the launch of the Games in 1930, this event has documented several show-stopping historical moments, including Chantal Petitclerc becoming the first gold-medal winner for a para-sport in 2002. Now is your chance to make history, by applying to volunteer for this year’s Games.
How to Apply
Follow this link to access the application form: https://www.birmingham2022.com/get-involved/volunteering/
Please note that volunteers are required to complete a minimum of 8 shifts. Free meal vouchers will be available when on shift, in addition to free public transport to venues, and a free uniform that is available to keep and wear after the Games. #B2022
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