Prof Divya Jindal-Snape ‘Transforming lives through volunteering?’

Transforming lives through volunteering?

Perspectives of London 2012 Olympics/Paralympics Games Makers Professor Divya Jindal-Snape* Dr Fernando Fernandes** TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE: EDUCATIONAL AND LIFE TRANSITIONS (TCELT) RESEARCH CENTRE *SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, SOCIAL WORK AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION **SCHOOL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY

CECHR Annual Symposium, 5th February 2014

Study commissioned by Volunteer Development Scotland

Objectives • To explore the expectations and experiences of Games Makers • To explore the impact of volunteering on Games Makers • To explore the perspectives of Games Makers to understand how volunteers can be supported better for similar events

Methodology • Longitudinal Study, data collected in two phases – Expectations – Experiences

• Online questionnaires • Quantitative (rating scales, multiple choice) and Qualitative (free narrative) • Sample – Expectations (n=144) – Experiences (n=122)

Participants’ profile Gender 2% Female 40% Male

58%

Prefer not to state/blank

Considered disabled 4%

4% yes no Prefer not to state/blank 93%

Results: Volunteering Roles Anti-Doping Chaperone

Athlete Services

Event Services

Event Control Room Field of Play Team

International Federation Services Team London Ambassador Olympic Family Services

Medical Team

National Olympic Committee Services

Press Operations Team Privacy Screen Team

Protocol and Language Services

Performer at Closing Ceremony

Sport Information Team

Transportation

Technology Team

Sports Equipment Team

Victory Ceremonies

Results: Expectations of Impact More able to work in a team

More able to communicate

Sense of fulifilment

More confident

Developing new skills

0

Expectations

20

40

60

80

100

120

Developing new skills

More confident

Sense of fulifilment

More able to communicate

107

82

136

92

140

160

More able to work in a team 84

Results: Experience Motivated to volunteer again More able to work in a team More able to communicate Increased sense of responsibility More confident Developed new skills 0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

48

Increased sense of responsibility 27

More able to communicate 40

More able to work in a team 28

Motivated to volunteer again 84

50

48

57

53

34

17

22

47

25

39

4

Disagree

3

2

0

0

2

0

Strongly Disagree

1

0

0

0

0

0

Developed new skills

More confident

Strongly Agree

42

Agree

59

No Change

Results: Gamemakers’ Voices about their experience Actually it exceeded my expectations. I wasn't prepared for the overwhelmingly positive reaction volunteers would receive from organisers, athletes and the public. We were lucky enough to have extensive access to the sports areas and so could watch the games happen, which added to the overall experience.

Results: Impact on Volunteers My perception of what I am capable of has changed…People's respect for me has increased and they cannot believe how I have changed.

Being a volunteer at the Olympic Games has inspired me to become more active. I plan to play more golf and go swimming more often.

Results: Impact on Volunteers I have an increased interest in disability sport and am considering this as a career choice.

It has given me something so unique to write on my CV which will really help me on my way to becoming a journalist myself. The volunteers got such an amazing response from both the public and the media that I feel it is a really great help to my career to say I was a part of it.

Results: Expectations and Experience 1%

2% 1% 2%

6%

Exceeded Expectations Met Expectations Did Not Meet Expectations Yes and No Different (but loved it) Don't Know 88%

Results: How Can Volunteers be Supported Better?

More support financially and with working hours. I had to use annual leave for my volunteering and worked in between shifts, travelling back to Aberdeen each time.

This has been expensive and exhausting. I was offered unpaid leave, but am not in a position to afford that option.

The financial outlay was considerable, over more than a year, with several training sessions in London which were essential. I would have to think very seriously about being able to undertake this sort of effort again without some assistance towards the inevitable expense.

Results: How Can Volunteers be Supported Better?

I would need the organisers to listen more to my limitations, due to my disability, so that I am given the correct duties. I had a lot of bother getting around the massive venue only to find out on my second last day, that there were motability scooters available. Few people seemed to be aware of this or made me aware of them. A grant would be necessary as I have had to pay for a lot of travel, accommodation and food over the weeks of this event. I would have to think seriously about this for future events.

Results: Next Steps Not Volunteer Again in Any Area

Not Volunteer Again at Other Games

Carry on with my Previous Volunteering Roles

Consider Volunteering in Other Areas

Consider Volunteering at Other Games 0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

So, do you think volunteering, especially event volunteering, can transform lives?

Might be able to tell you more when I come back from my stint as a Clyde-sider!

With the researchers' permission, the funder made anonymised data from this study available to Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games volunteer organisation team in December 2012 with a view to informing volunteering at Glasgow 2014.

Contact Professor Divya Jindal-Snape d.jindalsnape@dundee.ac.uk

Dr Fernando Fernandes f.l.fernandes@dundee.ac.uk