Greenwich Action for Voluntary Service (GAVS), the local CVS, and Greenwich Council pulled together an inspiring and informative event about the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for the third sector in Greenwich. Highlight of the event on 19th March at the Greenwich Heritage Centre was a tug of war between representatives of the third sector and the Council, from which the sector emerged victorious.
The first speaker Councillor John Fahy pointed out, that the event was not about competing against each other in the rope pulling competition – an original event at Summer Olympics – but about the Council and the sector working together to support the third sector in Greenwich: “We want to see a thriving and active voluntary sector.”
Hosting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a big chance for the sector in Greenwich. “It is an opportunity that will not come again in our lifetimes so I think we should grab it,” said Paul Bower, Manager of The Big Opportunity, the London-wide initiative that helps the voluntary sector to make the most of the London 2012 Games.
Greenwich Council’s 2012 Unit, LOCOG/Inspire Mark, The Big Opportunity, Personal Best, Compete4 and many more provided information stalls which covered big opportunities in volunteering, arts and culture, sports, training, jobs and contracts and more. “Now everyone knows what’s going on”, said Toyin, from the organisation Listening Ears.
Numerous voluntary, community and faith groups in Greenwich have the potential to participate in the events before the Games, for example the Cultural Olympiad and Inspire Mark activities, and to support the delivery of the Games, by providing volunteers or venues. They can also help to minimise any adverse impacts on local communities and services, as well as ensure the legacy benefits those in Greenwich. “All these great ideas are very inspiring”, said Benson, from the West Greenwich Community & Arts Centre.
GAVS is the only CVS from all of the Host Boroughs with staff specifically tasked with engaging the third sector in the 2012 Games. “I am delighted that GAVS are leading the way in bringing Greenwich community organisations together to make the most of the world’s largest event which will be taking place on our doorstep,” said Paul.
About GAVS
GAVS, Greenwich Action for Voluntary Service, is the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) in the London Borough of Greenwich. GAVS exists to provide a strategic leadership role in representing the views of the sector. It seeks to enable, facilitate and promote models of excellence in the provision of services that support the delivery and development of voluntary, community and faith organisations and those that work with them in Greenwich.
Event
Friday 19th March 2010
2pm to 5pm
Greenwich Heritage Centre
(Royal Arsenal)
Find out how you can maximise your opportunities from the Games!
Stalls and presentations by Greenwich Council’s 2012 Unit, LOCOG, The Big Opportunity, Volunteer Centre Greenwich and many more on community activities, volunteering, training, jobs, arts, sports, youth and children.
For more information and to confirm your attendance please contact GAVS on 020 8858 1363 or info@gavs.biz.
Sign up for GAVS’ 2012 Games E-Bulletin here.
The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is an exciting, once in a lifetime, opportunity for Greenwich, one of the five host boroughs. The borough could benefit from the Games itself and the aftermath – the legacy.
GAVS wants to make sure that the 2012 Games is positive for the voluntary, community and faith sector and their communities in Greenwich. GAVS is working with Greenwich Council 2012 Unit and other 2012 Games bodies to support the voluntary, community and faith sector in Greenwich to use all the opportunities presented by the Games and to reduce any negativities.
We would like to hear your views: How you would like to be engaged in the Games and their legacy? What information do you need? What support would you like?
Please follow the link below to fill out a short survey.
Take our 2012 Survey
Are are you running a voluntary, community or faith organisation, either within, or servicing the London Borough of Greenwich?
Get the support you need from GAVS!
Subscribe Now!Enter our FREE Resource library - packed full of useful documents, toolkits, case studies and signposting to aid your organisation.
To become a member see the box above.
