The Commission on the Future of Volunteering is an independant body established to develop a long-term vision for the future of volunteering in England. 

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:

• Choice - Volunteering must be a choice freely made by individuals.
• Diversity - Voluntering should be open to all.
• Reciprocity - Volunteers should benefit from their contribution, for example, gaining useful skills, experience and contacts, socialising and fun.
• Recognition - Recognition of the value of volunteering and volunteers is implicit.

Volunteer Helpers Award

The English Gymnastics Helpers' Award aims to encourage people of all ages, gender and ethnicity to help in the organisation and running of gymnastics and trampoline clubs, extra curricular sessions in schools, leisure centres and other community settings. The Helpers' Award is not a coaching qualification, but gives an introduction into the skills and attributes required to be a gymnastics or trampoline coach.  For more information contact Helen Webb - 0845 1297129 helen.webb@englandgymnastics.org.uk  

Volunteers (3151Kb)

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