Today sees the start of Volunteers Week, which runs from the 1-7 June and celebrates those who give up their time in all walks of life.
Volunteers are at the heart of all British Swimming events and without them our aquatics events simply wouldn’t be able to take place in the way they do.
A team of 76 volunteers are helping with an array of jobs at this weekend’s BPSIM event, varying from manning the front desk to being medal carriers. So we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the amazing people who give up their time to support aquatics.
British Swimming Events Manager Sophie Turner said: “Our volunteers do an incredible job – they are dedicated, hardworking and love what they do.
“Volunteers are at the core of every event we manage and we are always looking for new people to come and give it a go.
“Whatever your age, background or experience we would love to welcome you to our team in what is such a rewarding opportunity.”
Jan Gittings has been manning the front desk at this year’s British Para-Swimming International Meet at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield. She got into volunteering helping her dad when she herself was a swimmer.
She said: “I just used to help out at club events in the 60s, taking the money, and I’m still taking the money now!
“When I was a swimmer people helped me all the time and I never forgot that, so it was great for me to be able to give back.
“It’s such a rewarding thing to do. You build friendships and meet so many new people.”
There are a huge number of volunteering opportunities within aquatics, whether it be in a club environment or at an event we have a number of roles and development opportunities available across the different disciplines.
If you would like to be a part of our British Swimming volunteering team we would love to hear from you so please get in touch by emailing britishevents@swimming.org.
To find out more about Volunteers Week click here.