London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games - Volunteering!

With just over two years to go until the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the London Organising Committee (LOCOG) is now accepting applications for the official Games-time Volunteer programme. This will start the process to recruit up to 70,000 people who will make the London 2012 Games happen. These people will be called Games Makers.

Eligibility criteria

All Games Makers will need to fulfil the following basic criteria:

-        Aged 18 or above on 1 January 2012.

-        Eligible to volunteer in the UK in line with UK immigration rules.

-        Willing to volunteer for at least 10 days of shifts and attend a minimum of three days of training.

-        Able to find own accommodation and travel.

Whilst most of our roles require Games Makers to be 18 years old or over by 1 January 2012, we do want young people to get involved too! We will unveil the Young Games Maker programme for up to 1,500 under 18s in summer 2011. Please refer to the London 2012 website (www.london2012.com/volunteering) for more details.

Applying to be a Games Maker

You will to find everything you need to know about the Games Maker programme on the official website www.london2012.com/volunteering.   

Through our relationship with LOCOG you have been invited to apply with a volunteer code. This will allow LOCOG to easily track your application through the system and associate you with your relevant organisation.

Please note that applying with a volunteer code is not in any way a guarantee of a Games Maker position. Every applicant will be expected to complete an application form and, if successful, attend a selection event. All applicants offered a Games Maker role must also attend three training events prior to the Games.

Application instructions

1.    Go to the Games Maker official website, www.london2012.com/volunteering, and read about what it takes to be a Games Maker before you apply.

2.    Click on the ‘Apply now’ button on the website.

3.    You will then be directed to the ‘Registration’ form. Enter your personal information and create a password of your choice. 

4.    Once you have submitted this you will go through to the ‘Application’ form which will take you around 30-40 minutes to complete. To complete the form you will need the following pieces of identification:

-        Applicants from the UK: a passport or photocard driving licence.

-        Applicants from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland: a passport or identity card.

-        Applicants from countries outside the EEA/Switzerland: a passport.

At the top of step two of the application form in the ‘Skills and experience’ section, you will need to enter your unique ‘volunteer code’. Please contact BWLA to acquire this confidential code (sam.jamieson@bwla.co.uk)

5.     Once you have completed all the steps, submit your application.

If you have any questions please refer to www.london2012.com/volunteering, where you will also find a sample version of the application form so you can see what information you will need before you complete it.

The deadline for applications is: Midnight 27 October 2010

You are now ready to start your journey as a potential London 2012 volunteer. Do you have what it takes to be a Games Maker?