Community Games
A Community Games in every community – every year
“It is refreshing and uplifting to see that the Games Makers of London 2012 live on through the Community Games programme. They encourage people of all ages, abilities and cultures to enjoy sport and cultural activities. They bring communities together, and encourage a sense of belonging and togetherness, emulating the national pride that we all experienced during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.” Lord Coe, The Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Ambassador “One of the best things we can do, if we are going to combat obesity and illness later on in life, is to get people playing more sport, so that’s why the Community Games movement is a fantastic thing! These events are brilliant for getting people to try new and different sports, because everyone has a sport they will enjoy.” Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP, at the 2013 Farnham Community Games
Achievements since January 2012
3,551 communities have engaged with, and staged Community Games 80,130 volunteers have contributed over £4 million of volunteer effort 2,566,675 participants have enjoyed their local Community Games and shared memories with the families, friends and neighbours £1.4million has been raised at a local level to stage events and fund community projects In 2013 Community Games has gained momentum – touching more communities, inspiring more people to volunteer at events, and stimulating more people to be more active after attending events – than in 2012. It is taking the London 2012 Legacy into the heart of local communities, and making a positive impact. 75% of Games Organisers have said that they intend to repeat their event in the future.
“This is a superb programme. If the positive outcomes we have seen are replicated across the country, then this will be a wonderful legacy from the Olympics!” Community Games Organiser, 2013 “Volunteering at the Community Games has helped me feel more confident, and eager to try new things.” Community Games Volunteer, 2013 “My daughter was able to use a wheelchair hand bike, which she has always wanted to do. She has also found out that she can do this each month, and is going to have a go at kayaking in July.” Community Games Participant, 2013
Community Games is... Energising communities Communities are encouraged to create an event that is unique to them. They are supported by local mentors; have access to training; resources to promote and stage their events, and local pots of funding. Independent evaluation confirms the great strength of this national programme is its flexibility, proven to work everywhere and for everyone, bringing communities together, and making a positive impact on them in many different ways.
Igniting and reinvigorating community spirit Of the 659 Community Games Organisers surveyed in 2013: 86% believed their event had enhanced community spirit 64% felt their event was bringing the generations closer together 67% confirmed their event had increased awareness of local opportunities 98% felt proud that they were doing something good for their community “We are really happy that we received funding and help from the Community Games programme, as it helped us make our event such a special one, and made us feel part of the Olympic legacy. The opening and closing ceremonies really gave the day impact, and helped us all remember our country's Olympic Games. To see the children's faces when they received their trophies, certificates and badges was very moving. The event has brought our community together, which I know has been happening across the country. Fabulous!!!” Community Games Organiser, 2013
Stimulating participation Of the 964 Community Games participants surveyed in 2013: 96% enjoyed themselves 70% had tried a new sport or physical activity and 70% a new arts or cultural activity 53% felt they were more likely to increase their involvement in sport or physical activity, and 35% in art or culture, as a result of attending their local event 29% had already started a new sport or physical activity and a further 29% had definite plans to do so 22% had already started a new arts or cultural activity and a further 31% had definite plans to do so “I played netball for the first time in ages (25 years) – played a little tournament. Talked about playing netball since – there is a league, and it would be good fun … I don’t do any exercise, I’d like to do it – it’s time!” “Fantastic! Permission to do something silly and enjoy it! It’s like a sports day for grown-ups.” Community Games Participants, 2013
Benefiting communities An independent evaluation study reveals that Community Games is: Creating a sense of belonging, with 81% of participants surveyed in 2013 perceiving that people in their community now got on well together Creating a sense of pride, with 81% of participants surveyed in 2013 believing their community was now a good place to belong to and 80% feeling proud of their community Creating shared moments, with 68% of Games Organisers surveyed in 2013 believing their events had created lasting memories of fun, enjoyment and achievement between friends, families and neighbours Raising funds for local good causes - over £750,000 has been raised since 2012 “Some people don’t want to leave the estate or to spend money, and so don’t do things. People need to come together. This is a happy and joyful day.” Community Games Participant, 2013
Community Games is... Inspiring volunteers A motivated army of local volunteers There is now an army of volunteers who make these events happen. On average, there were 22 volunteers per event. Almost a quarter had never volunteered before, and almost three quarters were new to Community Games. Insight into what motivated volunteers to become involved, and what their views were after the events reveals:
59% wanted to do something good for the community – after their event, 95% felt proud of doing something for their community, and 89% felt a sense of achievement 43% thought it sounded like fun – after their event, 98% had enjoyed themselves 38% knew others involved in the event – after their event, 97% had felt part of something 33% were regular volunteers – after their experience at the event, 72% said they were interested in doing more volunteering 23% thought it would be a good way to meet new people – after their event, 78% had made new friends, or renewed old contacts 17% believed it may help their future career – after their event, 58% had gained new knowledge or skills, and 50% felt that the experience would help their career prospects.
Also, there is an untapped army, with 67% of participants surveyed willing, or prepared to consider, volunteering at future events.
Celebrating the Olympic Torch Relay one year on, and mirroring the route of the Torch in England, the Community Games th th Relay staged an event every day between May 19 and July 27 – with each one putting the spotlight on a local ‘Shining Light’ – someone who had made a real difference to their community. On Day 70, Lord Coe acknowledged the Shining Lights’ contribution to the Olympic Legacy, and each one was presented with a certificate. Jonathan, 21, from Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, is one of our Shining Lights. He is a young volunteer who has done great things in his area for young people and people with disabilities. In August 2012, he attended the Three Streets Party, which was a Community Games event. Following this, he expressed an interest in organising an event for his Bay Centre group of people with learning difficulties, and then organised another Community Games event in Bridgwater at the Vine Club, which he was just helping to set up. This year, he is organising the Youth Festival weekend and this will also include a Community Games element, plus another Community Games at the Bay Centre. Jonathan is an enthusiastic, busy young person, involved in many activities in his home town, including the Youth Drama group and the community volunteer group, and he also helps with photography at events for the local community website.
Community Games is... Building new partnerships these questions from all the clubs were a resounding YES!! Benefits to partners Creating new partnerships is the major benefit cited by the principle partners from their involvement in Community Games – extending their reach and influence. Evaluation findings reveal the benefits that partners gain from being involved in events and the potential impact on their community activities and programmes:
Keen to get involved – and be associated with local events, to benefit their work in a positive way Increasing their visibility – using the events to become more visible in the community, getting their faces known, and building up trust with local residents Changing perceptions – changing the way that people thought about them in the community, being seen as more helpful and approachable Raising awareness and signposting – giving people information about their services, including: health, community safety, housing and benefit advice, and joining local clubs. “We have now got a fabulous community day on our calendar for years to come.” “It is very good that a nation-wide identity can be ‘picked up’ in a village, and it is good to feel part of something bigger.” Community Games Organisers, 2013
Sports Clubs
NHS Healthy Lifestyle Team
In 2013 - 69 different sports were involved across the country, 15% of events were organised by sports clubs and 71% of Games Organisers invited sports/arts/culture clubs to showcase activities at their events.
Promoting healthy lifestyles to and to publicise the help available from their team, their local Community Games event had been, “very good, our stall attracted more interest than at some of the larger events such as the City Show”. The team highlighted the informal atmosphere, making it easy for people to stop and have conversations, “We have engaged with a range of people including mothers and teenagers.”
The team knew the organisers, some of the volunteers, and they looked forward to it.
In a post-Games survey, sports clubs running sessions at the Farnham Community Games event in Surrey were asked whether they thought the event was a worthwhile event to promote and encourage more sports participation, whether they felt they had inspired individuals to follow-up their participation on the day, and whether they would continue to support the event in the future.
And what about next year, would they be back next year? ...Yes, without a shadow of a doubt!
The response to all of these questions from the clubs was a resounding “YES!!”
The NHS Healthy Lifestyle Team said they would definitely like to come back next year.
Policing and Community Safety A Local Beat Team This was their beat, and that’s why they’d come to the Community Games event – to show the other side of their work. They wanted youngsters to see that you can talk to the police, that they are individuals, and that you don’t just see them when there’s criminal activity going on. They’d seen people with whom they’d had negative involvement in the past, but now it had become positive, people coming to talk to them, or afterwards ringing and leaving a message. “This event was like a memory jogger for the community. “It was satisfying supporting this event, it was well run, a good little event for families”.
Following a Nordic Walking taster session, one volunteer from the local running group enjoyed the session so much she decided to become qualified so she could add Nordic Walking to her running group’s offer.
Community Games is delivered by the County Sports Partnership Network and the YMCA through their local delivery networks operating across England, and is contributing to the health of the nation by helping local people to lead healthier and more active lives. For more information please visit: www.communitygames.org.uk