Volunteering ExperienceFeedback
This has been put together by Voluntary Action •LeicesterShire from a questionnaire sent out several weeks after the Games. We had 151 responses.
Everything here is a quote from a volunteer.•
We’ve tried to pick out some of the best, average •and some critical (when they exist) comments to reflectthespectrumofopinion.
Sum up the experience of Volunteering atthe Special Olympics for you…
“Wow”
“Incredible experience.”
“Memories will last for the rest
of my life.”
“Exhausting, invigorating
but ultimately unbelievable.”
“Athletes were Amazing.”
Experiences of volunteers
Training was competent •interesting and friendly
Good to meet other •volunteers before the event
Wouldhavebeenbeneficial•for all volunteers to be able to opt for preferred venues
Some of the words and •languageusedwasdifficulttounderstand
Handing out of uniforms and •ID was chaotic
More information on the sites •volunteers were working on
Admin for SOL pre-event •needed to be better planned
What were the two best things about volunteering at the Special Olympics?
“Watching the range of competitors compete.The athletes and their
supporters.”
“Really good Atmosphere.Enjoyed everything”
“Being proud of my city”
“Seeing the joy on athletes faces. Looking forward to the
next day.”
“Helping others less fortunatethan me. A good feeling factor.”
Two best things about volunteering SOL
Meeting such dedicated athletes.•
Working with other committed •volunteers.
Helping to make the games a •success.
Meeting special people, •volunteers and athletes.
Terrificteamworkwithinthe•volunteers.
All the great dedicated people.•
Very rewarding watching the •athletes get their awards.
Working with such a caring team.•
The athletes made it a special, •wonderful and friendly environment to work in.
Appreciating the skills that •everyone has irrespective of age, ability or gender.
First time worked with people •havinglearningdifficulties,learneda lot about them.
Being overwhelmed by how much •the coaches had put in preparing the athletes.
Helping and having a smile. •
What were the two worst things about volunteering at the Special Olympics?
“Having to say Goodbye.”
“It was over too soon.”
“Weather, the rain! ”
“Early mornings”
Two worst things about volunteering at SOL
In all 36 comments were received.
The lack of volunteer kit.•
Could have had more hot food.•
Transport costs were •expensive.
Not always organised and not •having calls returned
TooktimetogetID/verification•
Work wasn’t shared equally •between volunteers
Delay in getting athletes to the •opening ceremony
Being treated unfairly by co-•workers
Communication not always good •
Not knowing the schedule of •events during the day
Not knowing when volunteers •wererequiredthereforedifficulttoarrange time off work
Do you have any feedback on the experience of being signed up and trained for the Special
Olympics?
“It all ran brilliantly”
“Training on special needs excellent”
“Quick and easy to be signed up”
“Treated as equals”
Feedback on being signed up and trained
Training was competent •interesting and friendly
Good to meet other •volunteers before the event
Wouldhavebeenbeneficial•for all volunteers to be able to opt for preferred venues
Some of the words and •languageusedwasdifficultto understand
Handing out of uniforms and •ID was chaotic
More information on the sites •volunteers were working on
Admin for SOL pre-event •needed to be better planned
Do you have any feedback on how you were managed/co-ordinated during the actual
Games week?
“We had lots of fun”
“Warm enthusiastic welcome”
“Plenty of information”
“Coordinators were brilliant”
Any feedback on how you were managed/coordinated during the games
Management and coordinators •was excellent and professional
Team coordinators and •venue managers were always accessible
Encouraged to implement own •ideas
Warm and enthusiastic •welcome
Good leadership•
Always given feedback•
Some of the managers had too •many volunteers
Thefirstdaywashectic•
Equestrian event needs full •risk assessment and specialist volunteers
First day disorganised•
Information available across •venues varied
Rotation of jobs good•
Always knew who was in •charge
If money was no object what could be done differently at the next Special Olympics?
“More media coverage”
“Reduce the entry fee to competitors”
“More publicity”
“Celebrities to open event”
If money was no object what could be done differently
Better spectator viewing •facilities
Interactive screens•
More publicity outside of •local area
More evening social events•
Travel information and maps •for public transport need to be better publicised
More selection of food for •volunteers
Different coloured uniforms •for VVTM coordinators and volunteers
There were 40 different responses to the question
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