London 2012: Plea for Games Makers to continue volunteering

Sarah Shaffi, Olympics editor (news) Tuesday, August 7, 2012
9:40 AM

Games Makers are being encouraged to carry on volunteering after the Olympic Games have finished.

WRVS, formerly the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, has called on the 70,000 Olympic volunteers to join the organisation and provide support services to older people to help them live independently in their own homes.

The service has 40,000 volunteers already, ranging in age from 14 to 103, with the average age of volunteers 64, and WRVS hopes to grow the number of young volunteers it has.

Verity Haines, executive director of marketing and engagement, said: “The Olympic Games Makers deserve much praise.

“Their dedication and support has been instrumental in making the games a success and they are testimony to the difference volunteering can make.

“We would ask all of the Games Makers to consider continuing to dedicate some of their free time to volunteering and to join WRVS.

“It really is a win-win situation. Volunteering provides a meaningful way of making people feel they belong and connect with their communities but at the same time, they would be playing a vital role helping older people live independently in their own homes for longer.”