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London 2012’s official Games-time Volunteer Programme launches this summer. Do you have what it takes to be a London 2012 Games delivery volunteer?

Volunteering at the London 2012 Games is a truly memorable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is recruiting volunteers from across the UK, from a range of communities and backgrounds. The selection process is transparent, open and fair.

Should you be selected as a Games delivery volunteer, you will be vitally important to the Games, representing the UK and delivering services that are essential for a successful and inspirational event. You will have the opportunity to use and develop your skills and play a key role in one of the largest and most unforgettable events ever to be held in the UK.

Volunteer roles

Volunteers are needed to help put on a truly memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games. There are two kinds of Games delivery volunteer – specialist and generalist.

  • Specialist volunteers will have specific existing skills or qualifications needed for them to complete the role eg: sport or medical training
  • Generalist volunteers will not need any special skills or qualifications and will receive all the necessary training. They might be given roles in areas such as spectator services, Olympic and Paralympic Village operations or uniform distribution.

There are volunteer opportunities within Medical Services for Physiotherapists.

Working within their scope of practice, physiotherapy volunteers will use their knowledge, skills and experience to assess, treat and rehabilitate.

The primary aim is to return athletes to the field of play safely and quickly, but it is also essential that volunteers understand the importance of working within a multidisciplinary team and refer to other members of the medical team when necessary.

The team will include chiropractors, osteopaths, sports massage practitioners, sports medicine doctors, radiologists and podiatrists.

Physiotherapists will provide sport-specific expertise to both individual national teams and field-of-play medical teams. Depending on the sport and venue, volunteers may be based in the Athlete Medical Centre or on the field of play.

Physiotherapists will have a particular responsibility to see athletes who do not have their own national team medical staff, and to advise and support national team medical staff.

Who can volunteer?

LOCOG aims to recruit volunteers who will bring passion, enthusiasm and energy to the Games. In addition, volunteers must:

  • be 18 years old by 1 January 2012
  • be available to volunteer for a minimum of 10 days at either, or both, of the Games
  • be eligible to volunteer in the UK according to UK immigration laws
  • be able to attend a minimum of three training sessions prior to the Games
  • agree to undergo, and pass, certain security and background checks

Applicants for specialist sport volunteer roles must also be available for the Test Event in their chosen sport.

Physiotherapists must also:

Essential

  • be registered as a physiotherapist with the Health Professions Council (HPC)
  • have suitable professional liability insurance to a minimum of £5 million
  • have been qualified for at least three years at the time of application (2010)
  • hold a current basic first aid in sport or life support qualification
  • have experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
  • have four years’ experience of working in a musculoskeletal field or have experience of working in a Games-related discipline, such as neurology or amputee rehabilitation, by 2012
  • be certified to the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine (ACPSM) Bronze level or equivalent
  • be an excellent team worker and good communicator
  • have knowledge of World Anti-Doping Agency policy

Preferable

  • be a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
  • be certified to ACPSM Silver level or equivalent
  • have a postgraduate sports massage qualification or appropriate experience
  • have a postgraduate taping qualification or appropriate experience
  • be licensed to practise acupuncture, which requires registration with the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists
  • have three years experience of working in a training or competitive sporting environment by 2012
  • have experience of working with athletes at national level and above
  • have experience of working with people in special groups or disability sport, such as amputees, the visually impaired, the neurologically impaired or those with spinal injuries
  • have experience of working in a multi-sport environment
  • be a member of the Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP)

Why volunteer?

The main benefit of volunteering is the chance to play an integral role in one of the most exciting events ever seen in the UK. The Games provide a unique and inspirational setting for volunteers to gain experience and develop their skills.

Note that:

  • London 2012 will provide volunteers with free meals during their shifts
  • Each volunteer will be given an official uniform to wear and will have the opportunity to keep their uniform as a souvenir of their experience and contribution to the Games
  • Volunteer travel arrangements are still being planned. Details of these will follow shortly
  • Accommodation will not be provided

Key dates during the volunteer recruitment process

  1. Summer 2010: London 2012’s official Volunteer Programme launches. All applicants will be required to complete an application form

  2. November 2010: LOCOG invites shortlisted applicants to a selection event

  3. February 2011–February 2012: selection events take place where all invited applicants will be interviewed

  4. October 2011: LOCOG send offers to successful applicants

  5. February 2012: orientation training begins

  6. March 2012: role-specific training begins

  7. April 2012: distribution of uniforms and accreditation passes begins

  8. June 2012: venue training begins

How to apply

If you meet the above criteria and are interested in volunteering as a Physiotherapist, please register your interest with LOCOG now. Email your CV and a 100-word expression of interest to physicaltherapies@london2012.com.

Every applicant will be expected to go through the full LOCOG recruitment process, which will include completing an application form and attending selection and training events. For more information please contact LOCOG at physicaltherapies@london2012.com.

Visit london2012.com/volunteering for more information on the Games-time Volunteer Programme, and details of other ways to volunteer in your local community.

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