The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is a fantastic sporting event for the region. It’s also a great opportunity for people to get some once-in-a-lifetime experience working as a volunteer. Around 13,000 volunteers will be needed before and during the Games and applications ‘go live’ on Tuesday 1 June. If that sounds daunting, there are a number of ways to get support with making those all-important applications if you live in Solihull.
- The council’s Contact Centre can help you find someone to support you with your application. Email Connectcc@solihull.gov.uk or call 0121 704 8001 from Tuesday 1 June.
- The council’s Community Development Team can give you advice and information about your application. Call 07493 864 780 or email cdt@solihull.gov.uk from Tuesday 1 June.
- If you are unemployed or looking at volunteering as a route into employment, the Council’s Employment and Skills Team* can help you with your application and prepare for interview. Call 0121 704 8076 or email employmentteam@solihull.gov.uk from Thursday 3 June. (You might even speak to Paul!)
- Solihull College is offering basic IT guidance and computer sessions 10am – 2pm on Thursday 3 June, Monday 7 June or Monday 14 June at the Woodlands Campus. Call 0121 678 7024 or email community@solihull.ac.uk to book a session.
- If you live in North Solihull, are unemployed, need access to a computer or help with your application, The Colebridge Trust can also help. Email volunteer@colebridge.org or call 0121 448 0720 (option 1) to speak to the employment and skills team from Tuesday 1 June.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism and Sport, Cllr Joe Tildesley, said:
“Top athletes from 72 countries around the world will compete in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games next summer. This is obviously great news for sports fans but it doesn’t stop there. It’s also a great opportunity for local residents and businesses to benefit from tourism to the region, the cultural programme that supports the Games and of course the thousands of volunteer roles that need to be created. The NEC is one of the venues so this really is on our doorstep.”
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, Cllr Alison Rolf, added:
“Volunteering is always a good way to boost your skills and experience whether you’re just starting out on your career, looking to change career or you’ve been out of work for a while. Volunteering at Birmingham 2022 will not be like any other volunteering and I really want to make sure that as many people from Solihull as possible can benefit from this unique opportunity. If this is something you’re not sure about or you’re a bit rusty, please ‘call Paul’ or any of the teams that can help. This could be the boost to your career that you need – it will also be a lot of fun!”
Around 13,000 volunteers will be needed before and during the games. To volunteer you’ll need to:
- be age 18+ from 1 Jan 2022
- volunteer from 28 July to 8 August, committing to at least eight shifts
- be able to communicate in English or British Sign Language
- be eligible to volunteer in UK and participate in a security risk assessment so you will need ID such as a birth certificate, driving licence, in-date passport or UK Citizen Card
- accept the role and venue offered
- be able to attend required training
To sign up to the B2022 Commonwealth Games mailing list register at -
https://www.birmingham2022.com/register-your-interest/?volunteering=1
*The Employment and Skills Team is part-funded by the European Social Fund