The Special Olympics 2009 Volunteering Strategy will be launched with an event at Voluntary Action Leicester’s City Centre building on Monday 2nd June 2008 - at the beginning of National Volunteers’ Week. An application form for potential volunteers will also be available to download from this website.

The aim of the volunteering strategy is to support the diverse and exciting volunteering opportunities around the 8th Special Olympics GB National Summer Games, which will be hosted by Leicester from 25 - 31 July 2009. Leicester is the only City in the Country to have hosted the games twice - the first time was in 1989. Preparations have already started in readiness to welcome over 2,500 athletes with learning disabilities - people with abilities - from 18 UK regions who will compete in 21 sports in venues across the City and in Rutland.

The athletes will also be supported by 1,200 coaches and over 6,000 families and friends. Lynn Senior, the Games Volunteers Director, since taking up her post at VAL in March, has been working closely with local partners to develop the Volunteering Strategy. The Volunteering Strategy will support the recruitment, training and induction of around 1,500 volunteers. This army of volunteers will play a vital role in helping out with a whole range of activities before and during the Special Olympics Leicester 2009. Lynn says, ‘The Volunteering Strategy will give an insight into how well-trained volunteers will play a critical role in ensuring a first class experience for all the athletes, families and friends visiting Leicester and Rutland for the Games in 2009.

Following the Volunteering Strategy launch in June, we will be looking for people who can make a difference and get involved with volunteer activities around the Special Olympics’.

The Volunteering Strategy forms part of the overall plan to deliver the 2009 National Special Olympics by a partnership company - Special Olympics Summer Games Leicester 2009 Ltd. It has representatives from private, public and voluntary organisations who are responsible for overseeing the planning, funding and organisation of all aspects of the Games.

For further information about the launch event please contact:

Lynn Senior Volunteering Director Special Olympics 2009

Tel: 0116 258 0666
Email: lynn@voluntaryactionleicester.org.uk