Eden uses 2012 Olympics to inspire young people to volunteer

July 7, 2010

The Eden Project is using the Olympic Games to encourage young people to share their time and talents and make a positive difference in their community.

Eden’s Barefoot Games is a youth volunteering scheme for 16-25 year olds, taking its inspiration from the Olympics. The young volunteers - who are due to be recruited by the end of August - will design the specifics of the programme and how they think they can best help their community.

The Barefoot Games is part of the “mygames” programme which calls on young people to undertake exciting volunteering projects in the community that promote and celebrate the values of the 2012 Olympic Games. These values include friendship, respect, excellence, equality and determination.

Jess Collings, Eden’s Volunteering Manager, said: “We're really excited about launching the Barefoot Games as part of the mygames programme. The Barefoot Games will give us the opportunity to work with and positively engage young volunteers in a way which has never been possible before.”

The programme is part of a unique collaboration of 20 innovative charities across England, who have come together to deliver mygames. It is funded and powered by V, The National Young Volunteers Service.

The Eden Project was chosen by V for its imaginative approach to working with young people, its fresh ideas and its commitment to embracing the opportunities created by 2012.

The nationwide mygames programme will provide wide-ranging volunteering opportunities for 10,000 young people. Projects will focus around the themes of Education, Culture, Environment, Health and Sport.

The organisers hope to tap in to a recent survey on attitudes to 2012 which showed that a third of people in the UK say they would give up their time for an Olympic-inspired activity. Among young people, there was even greater enthusiasm, with 48 per cent saying they would give up their time, according to the DCMS survey.

Terry Ryall, V’s Chief Executive, says: “V is delighted to award the Eden Project this grant to support volunteering among 16-25s. We are committed to strengthening the role of young people in society. Mygames is a fantastic way to harness the talents, energy and enthusiasm of a new generation of young people.”

The Eden Project is now looking to recruit young volunteers for the project – further information can be found by contacting Celine Elliott on 01726 818587, celliott@edenproject.com or by visiting vinspired.com.