A new programme has been launched this month (June 2007) to encourage people with a disability to become a sports volunteer.
Called Sport Volunteers Inc, the programme has been set up by Cumbria Sport Partnership to break down some of the barriers that can prevent disabled people from taking part in sport and becoming involved in volunteering.
Launched on the back of the national Volunteers Week (1-7 June), the programme aims to encourage and support people with disabilities to get the confidence, knowledge and skills to volunteer in sport.
Sports Volunteers Inc will support disabled people to volunteer in a sports club or sports centre, enabling them to build on their own interest in a given sport. Volunteers can get involved in anything - from helping to develop a club website, assisting junior football team coaches, setting up sports equipment, helping out in the office or collecting fees.
The experience gained by the volunteers can lead to involvement in sports leadership and maybe even paid opportunities.
Cumbria Sport Partnership is looking to recruit up to 75 volunteers. Placements will then be provided in sports clubs or organisations tailored to meet each individual's needs and interest. Volunteers can give as much time as they are able to, and they will receive gifts such as t-shirts and sports bags when they reach 50, 100 or 200 hours.
Volunteers can stay in their placements for as long as they like.
Every volunteer will get a mentor - usually someone from the club they will be working at - and full support from Cumbria Sport's volunteer development officer. The officer will be in touch with the volunteer and carer regularly to ensure that the programme is meeting their needs - and that it is enjoyable!
Volunteers also get a support pack, a 'welcome' t-shirt, and up to £50 towards their own personal development, plus some help with travel costs.
Nicola Cartwright is the Development Officer for Disability Sport and Equality at Cumbria Sport. She said:
"This is an excellent new programme for the partnership.
"Opportunities for disability sport have significantly increased over recent years, due mainly to an increased awareness of the range of activities that are possible and accessible.
"Getting more people involved in sport and physical activity is hugely important and I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in this new exciting programme."
David Bailey is a wheelchair basketball player for the Furness Falcons. He is also a disabled volunteer at Barrow Multisports Club, as well as the Falcons' chairperson and a funding coordinator. He said:
"Volunteering gives me a lot of enjoyment and being able to help others in a similar position to myself is equally rewarding.
"I've been involved in competitive sport since I was twelve and swam for the North of England; I then began to play wheelchair basketball at fourteen, and now aged thirty I still love to be actively involved in sport.
"If you have the time to give I would definitely recommend volunteering in sport."
For further information on the Sports Volunteers Inc programme, or other volunteering opportunities in sport, contact Kate Hansbury, Volunteer Development Officer on 01228 601248, email kate.hansbury@cumbriacc.gov.uk or visit the volunteering section of the Cumbria Sport at www.cumbriasport.com
ENDS
Further information from Amy Clement, Marketing and Information Officer for Cumbria Sport on 01228 601263
Notes for editors
Cumbria Sport Partnership is one of 49 sub regional sport partnerships operating across England. Funded through Sport England and Cumbria County Council, partners include:
Allerdale Borough Council
Barrow Borough Council
Carlisle City Council
Copeland Borough Council
Eden District Council
South Lakeland District Council
The English Federation of Disability Sport
Governing Bodies of Sport
The Health Authority
sportscoach UK
Women's Sports Foundation
Sporting Equals
The Youth Sport Trust
The Cumbria Young Volunteers in Sport Programme is aimed at 16-25 year olds interested in volunteering in Sport / Physical Activity. If you can spare some time each week, we can find you a place to volunteer that matches your skills and interests and that will benefit you as an individual.
Volunteering in Sport / Physical Activity can give people the chance to improve skills, or give you the opportunity to gain experience, which may lead to employment later. Research has shown that 73% of employers would employ candidates with volunteering experience over one who doesn't.
£50 of expenses are available to all volunteers on the programme for their own personal development. Volunteers may wish to use this towards a level one coaching certificate or an officials qualification.
Cumbria Sport also offers a Volunteer incentive scheme, where members of the programme receive a support pack and gifts when they sign up to the programme, then when they have reached volunteering milestones.