Website of the UK government

Volunteering as a 'Games Maker'

London 2012 volunteers are called ‘Games Makers’. Applications to become a Games Maker are now closed, but there are other ways to get involved with the Olympic and Paralympic Games. You could also be a:

• Young Games Maker if you are under 18
• London Ambassador
• member of the Changing Places programme
• Trailblazer

If you have already applied to be a Games Maker, you can log into the Games Maker zone on the London 2012 website. You’ll find news and updates on the site and you can manage your application online.

Some volunteer positions may require criminal record checks. See 'Criminal record checks - an introduction' for more information.

• London 2012 Games Maker zone Opens new window

• Criminal record checks - an introduction

Young Games Makers and the Get Set programme

For many of the volunteering roles you will need to be 18 or over by 1 January 2012. However, there will be a Young Games Maker programme for under-18s starting in summer 2011. The London 2012 team will publish more details nearer the time.

In the meantime, you can get involved in ‘Get Set’ - London 2012’s official education programme for schools and colleges across the UK. It encourages 3-19 year olds to learn about the Games and the Olympic and Paralympic values. Get Set offers young people great opportunities, including tours of the Olympic Park, visits from athletes and entry into prize draws.

• Get Set schools and colleges education programme Opens new window

Become a London Ambassador

You can still take part in the London Ambassadors programme, which is recruiting up to 8,000 volunteers.

London Ambassadors will be located at key points across the city - including transport hubs, outside Games venues, and at popular visitor spots. They will provide much needed information on what to see and do, where to stay and how to get around the capital.

If you are given a role, you'll be given full training and you’ll get your own uniform, a meal and free travel (within London Underground Zones 1-6) for every shift worked.

• London Ambassadors programme Opens new window

Changing Places community programme

London 2012 is not just about sport – it’s a great opportunity to improve the capital's environment and its prospects for the future.

The Changing Places programme encourages volunteers to get involved in their local area by improving the bad parts and celebrating the good.

For advice on how to get started and change the face of your neighbourhood, you can take a look at the Changing Places toolkit. This has guidance on what to consider when creating your own project, like health and safety and using the right equipment. 

• Changing Places programme Opens new window

• Download 'Changing Places toolkit' from the London 2012 website (PDF, 2.8MB) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Changing Places grants

Changing Places has teamed up with Keep Britain Tidy to provide grants of up £1,000 to help kick-start neighbourhood projects.

• Changing Places grants Opens new window

• Keep Britain Tidy Opens new window

Trailblazers - helping out before the Games start

Most volunteers will be needed at Games time, but a small number of volunteers, known as Trailblazers, are needed in the run-up to the Games.

Three hundred Trailblazers have already been recruited since January 2009.  Each Trailblazer volunteers one day a week, for a minimum of four months. Trailblazers perform a wide range of administrative duties across many parts of the London 2012 team.

London 2012 is not recruiting Trailblazers at the moment, but the programme will be extended in 2011.

• London 2012 Trailblazers programme Opens new window

Find out more about London 2012

Visit the London 2012 website for more information about the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

• More about London 2012 Opens new window