Community Games embraces newfound culture of volunteering

A first-of-its-kind nationwide campaign to leave a lasting legacy from the Olympics has captured the imagination of dozens of volunteers in Hampshire who have vowed to keep up the good work of the 'Games Makers'.

Several Community Games have already been held across the county to bring families and communities together through sporting and cultural events. With the Olympic fever set to continue with the Paralympic Games, organisers are calling on more people to get involved with events being organised in their local communities.  

The Community Games, which are supported by the Government's Social Action Fund, are organised and run by local communities themselves and are taking place in sports centres, halls, parks, streets and green spaces all over the country.

Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, said: 'The fantastic contribution of volunteers was central to the success of the Olympic Games. I'm delighted that thousands of people throughout the country have already shared in the spirit of the London 2012 by volunteering or taking part in Community Games - but there is still plenty more to come. With the Paralympic Games about to begin, there has never been a better time for people to log-on and find out about Community Games taking place in their area.

'It is expected that in total more than two million people will turn out for the 1,300 plus Community Games that are taking place in England this year and next.'

People from all walks of life, including teachers, church leaders, retirees and even teenagers, have been signing up to organise events. Hampshire residents are encouraged to find out more about the Community Games being held in their locality by visiting www.hants.gov.uk/communitygames

The brainchild of Legacy Trust UK, Community Games were inspired by the Wenlock Olympic Games, founded by Dr William Penny Brookes in 1850, which were also the inspiration behind the modern Olympic movement.

They are being delivered by the YMCA and County Sports Partnership Network, and with the help of the grant from the Government's Social Action Fund.

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