Sport Volunteers Inc
Cumbria Sport Partnership has run a highly successful volunteer programme for the past 5 years. Now, as a result of the partnerships recently launched Equality Policy and national Volunteer Week that ran from the 1st-7th June 2007, a new programme, Sport Volunteers Inc, has been launched to encourage people with a disability to volunteer in sport and make a big difference to their community.
The programme was set up as Cumbria Sport Partnership recognises that barriers exist that can prevent disabled people from participating in sport and becoming involved in volunteering, and was ultimately set up so that more people have the opportunity to enjoy sport and physical activity. The programme will encourage and support people with disabilities to acquire the confidence, knowledge and skills to volunteer in sport. The experience gained can then lead to greater involvement in sports leadership, and could lead to opportunities in a paid capacity.
The Sports Volunteers Inc programme will support disabled people to volunteer in a sports club or sports centre, allowing them to build on their interest in a particular sport. Volunteers can get involved in anything from helping to develop a club website, helping to coach a junior football team, to helping out in the admin office or collecting fee’s.
Cumbria Sport Partnership has funding available to recruit 75 volunteers of any age who have a disability. Placements will then be provided in sports clubs or organisations tailored to each individual’s needs and interests. Volunteers give as much time as they are able, and will receive gifts from Cumbria Sport such as a t-shirt or sports bag when they reach 50, 100 and 200 hours. Volunteers can continue on their placement for as long as they like.
Each volunteer has a mentor, usually someone from the club they volunteer in, and full support from the Volunteer Development Officer who will contact the volunteer and carer regularly to ensure the programme is meeting the volunteers needs, that support structures are in place to ensure that the volunteer achieves their goals, and that the programme is enjoyable!
Each volunteer will also recieve a support pack and welcome T-shirt when they join the scheme. Volunteer mentors will also recieve a support pack and training.
£50 of expences is avaliable for each volunteer for their own personal development, and some assistance is given to cover travel costs. Volunteers may wish to put their £50 towards a Level 1 Coaching certificate or an officials qualification.
Nicola Cartwright, Development Officer (Disability Sport and Equality) says ‘This is an excellent new programme for Cumbria Sport Partnership. Opportunities for disability sport have significantly increased over recent years. Getting more people involved in sport and physical activity is hugely important and I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved in this new exciting programme”.
David Bailey, a wheelchair basketball player for the Furness Falcons, is a disabled volunteer at Barrow Multisports Club, as well as the Furness Falcons Wheelchair Basketball Club chairperson and a funding coordinator. He said “Volunteering gives me a lot of enjoyment. Being able to help others in a similar position to myself is really rewarding. I’ve been involved in competitive sport since I was 12 and swam for the North of England, I then began to play wheelchair basketball at 14, and now at 30 I still love to be actively involved in sport. If you have got the time to give I would definitely recommend volunteering in sport. Whatever your sport or disability, get involved!”
For more information on the Sports Volunteers Inc programme, or other volunteering opportunities in sport, please contact Kate Hansbury, Volunteer Development Officer on 01228 601248, or email kate.hansbury@cumbriacc.gov.uk.
 |  |