What is a Volunteer?

There is no legal definition of a ‘volunteer' and the word is often used by many different people, to mean different things. However the definition of volunteering used in the 1997 National Survey of Volunteering is "any activity which involves spending time, unpaid, doing something which aims to benefit someone (individuals or groups) other than or in addition to close relatives, or to benefit the environment". Please note that the word ‘volunteer' within gymnastics includes all coaches, officials, committees, trustees, parent helpers and anyone else who gives their time free of charge.

Volunteering should be based around the following four principles:

1. Choice -Volunteering must be a choice freely made by individuals

2. Diversity - Voluntering should be open to all

3. Reciprocity - Volunteers should benefit from their contribution, for example, gaining useful skills, experience and contacts, socialising and fun

4. Recognition - Recognition of the value of volunteering and volunteers is implicit

For more information about volunteering please contact Gymnastics England

1. To increase the number of volunteers embarking on the volunteer pathway
2. To increase the number of volunteers moving through the volunteer pathway
3. To increase the number of trained and motivated volunteers to assist with gymnastics events to increase competitive opportunities
4. To improve the volunteer support structure ensuring that volunteers feel more valued and current gymnastics provision is sustained
5. To improve leadership and management skills of young people, engaging young people with the decision-making structure To increase sustainability of County and Regional Gymnastics Associations
6. To increase the number of trained and motivated Welfare Officers
7. Develop the Communications & Marketing element of the volunteer pathway
8. Promote volunteering through recognition
9. Improve communication with volunteers
10. Monitor the impact of the volunteer programme
11. To sustain the NDO - Volunteers post

The Gymnastics England Action Plan also supports the Gymnastics England Whole Sport Plan.