01 Jun 2016
Sport Wales aims for 300k volunteers with three-point strategy
BY Matthew Campelli
Sport Wales has devised a three-point plan with a focus on education and awareness to boost the number of sports volunteers to 300,000 by 2019.
The Give to Gain strategy has been developed by the Sport Wales Advisory Group (SWAG), and was announced to coincide with National Volunteers’ Week (1-12 June).
Give to Gain’s three point plan includes: telling volunteers exactly what’s expected of them, such as role descriptions or time commitments; making sure volunteers are valued, developed and supported with education courses or recognition awards; making clear the mutual benefits of volunteering such as improved health, employability and confidence.
The number of volunteers in Welsh sport has grown from 110,000 in 2008 to 235,000 in 2015, contributing £300m (US$433.9m, €388.8m) to the Welsh economy.
Sport Wales volunteering lead Carwyn Young said the only way to grow a skilled volunteer workforce was to “support and develop people”.
“There are so many benefits to volunteering, including all the social aspects, training and health,” he said. “We know that sports volunteers are 82 per cent more likely to say they have good or very good health, so there are a variety of positives that come with volunteering.
Young added: “We want everyone to adopt the three principles and highlight the importance of bringing them to life in what we do.”
Richard Harry, chair of the SWAG, said: “Active communities and a strong volunteer workforce sit side-by-side. We looked in detail at the current picture in Wales and how volunteers are supported in other countries. These are simple steps that will guide all people who work in sport to develop real ways to support their volunteer workforce.”
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