Active Sefton Programmes & Events Active Volunteers
Active Volunteers
Welcome to Active Volunteers, Sefton Council’s new programme for sports volunteers which aims to recruit, retain and recognise sports volunteers in Sefton.
Active Volunteers provides a great opportunity for people of all ages to get involved in sports volunteering both on schemes run by Sefton Council and with local sports clubs. We also aim to provide information about volunteering with other sports related initiatives such as London 2012 and Vancouver 2010, which don’t take place in Sefton but can still provide exciting opportunities for Sefton residents.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering is a great way to become involved in all sorts of sports some of which you may have played yourself and other, newer sports such as handball, which are quickly growing in popularity.
There are many different roles for volunteers in sport although most people never actually use the word ‘volunteer’ to describe what they do, describing themselves as committee members, coaches, officials, administrators, website managers etc. These are just a few of the roles that need filling, there are many others without which sports clubs and the Sefton Council sports schemes would not be able to function properly.Whatever your age volunteering is a great way to meet people, make new friends and gain experience and qualifications. You will also have the opportunity to learn new skills, build your confidence and have something to put on your CV, which could make all the difference when applying for employment or a place at university. For older volunteers, working on the council’s sports schemes and with Sefton’s sports clubs is an opportunity to use your skills and experience to help create a Sefton where everyone has the opportunity to take part in sport and become fit and healthy.
Interested…..?
If you are interested in becoming a sports volunteer within Sefton please read the volunteering pages of this website as they should help to answer any questions you may have. Once you have read all the information please complete the volunteer registration form and return it to us in order that we can start the process of welcoming you as one of our volunteers. If you still have any queries before you decide whether or not to complete the registration form please contact Tina Pilkington on 0151 934 2353.
What Next?
Once we have received your volunteer registration form (download below) we will request references from the people you have named as referees and we will write to you to start the process of applying for a CRB check.
Your details will be added to our volunteer database and you will receive regular updates about volunteering opportunities.
- Current Volunteering Opportunities
- Free & Active Sports Coaching
We are looking for volunteers to help our coaches with a number of sports including athletics, football, cycling, cheerleading and hockey and would love to hear from you if you can help over the school holidays. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a coaching qualification as qualified and experienced coaches will be leading the sessions and will help you to learn coaching skills ‘on the job’.
This is a great opportunity for those who have done some coaching to gain further experience and develop more skills and confidence or for those new to coaching to try something new and see if it is something you enjoy.
If you are interested or would like some more information about Free & Active coaching please contact Nicola Hedgecock on 0151 934 4799 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Volunteer Walk and Cycle Ride Leaders
Active Volunteers is looking to help recruit volunteers to lead health walks and cycle rides at various locations throughout Sefton. Working with our dedicated walking and cycling team, any necessary training will be provided and you will be helping the people of Sefton to increase their physical activity levels and improve their health.
For more information please contact Tina Pilkington on 0151 934 2353 or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Cancer Research UK – Race for Life
Over 260 Race for Life events are held each year, in which thousands of women walk, jog or run to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Each event needs about 40 volunteers to help it run smoothly and safely for the participants. Young or old, male or female, individuals or groups, Cancer Research UK need your help to make it happen!
We are looking for volunteers to support Cancer Research UK with their event at Aintree Racecourse on Sunday 19th July 2009. There will be two races taking place at Aintree on this date, one starting at 11.00 am and one starting at 2.30 pm.
Street Games Young Volunteers
Are you aged between 16 and 25, enjoy sport and would like to gain a level one athletics coaching qualification and a first aid for sport qualification in return for some of your time?…. If so, please read on.
Sefton Council is looking to engage 7 young volunteers for its Active Street Games Volunteer Project. To take part in the programme you will need to volunteer at a one off event such as the Good Friday Road Races, in return for which you will receive a Street Games t-shirt and hoodie.
After your initial volunteering experience you will be asked to volunteer as an assistant sports coach or official on one of our school holiday or after school sports schemes which will be taking place at various locations in Sefton in 2009. This will involve either volunteering for 5 days on a Free & Active school holiday scheme or for 10 evenings on an Active Sports Unlimited or Street Games scheme. Your individual volunteering programme will be agreed with you at the start of the project.
In return for your time you will receive the following from Active Volunteers:
- Travel expenses to your Street Games volunteering opportunities
- A free place on an athletics level one coaching course, or £60.00 towards the cost of a level one coaching course in another sport (on completion of agreed volunteering programme)
- A free place on a first aid for athletics course (on completion of agreed volunteering programme)
Volunteering News
Case Studies
Jordan Kelly – Free and Active Athletics Coaching Assistant
Jordan, who is nearly 16 years old first became interested in athletics when he attended Free and Active athletics sessions about 2 ½ years ago. As he grew older Jordan still enjoyed attending the sessions but felt that he was getting a bit too old to be a participant and so it was suggested that he get involved with coaching the younger children. He started to volunteer as a coaching assistant and is now one of our most experienced volunteers. Jordan has recently obtained his Children in Athletics qualification funded by Active Volunteers and as soon as he is 16 will be taking his level one athletics coaching award.
Since starting on the Free and Active scheme Jordan has gone on to become an accomplished athlete, competing in long jump and triple jump for Southport Waterloo Athletic Club and sees himself remaining involved with athletics both as an athlete and a coach for many years to come.
National/International Sports Volunteering Opportunities
London 2012
The London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 will need up to 70,000 volunteers to fill a variety of specialist and general roles. Applications for volunteers will open in 2010 and the organisers are looking to recruit volunteers from across the whole of the UK.To read more about volunteering at London 2012 please visit their website at
www.london2012.com/get-involved/volunteering/index.php where you can register to receive more information about their volunteering programme.Toronto 2010
If you’re thinking of travelling to Canada in February and March 2010 then volunteering to work at the Winter Olympics and Paralympics could be the ideal opportunity for you to have an involvement in this major winter sports event.
Application for volunteers are currently being taken and more information and an application form can be found by going to www.vancouver2012.com and clicking on the work and volunteer link. Anyone interested in volunteering at this event should note that although applications from those living in countries other than Canada are welcome, you would have to arrange your own transport and accommodation.
