‘United By 2022’ is launching its volunteering legacy with the Volunteers Collective and a report on Event Volunteering.

The Volunteers Collective is a new digital match-making service that coordinates people looking for volunteering opportunities with organisations looking for volunteers, supported by Spirit of 2012, the legacy charity formed after the London 2012 Olympic Games.

This is a moment to celebrate the contribution that volunteers make and offer new opportunities for people that want to volunteer.

At every moment and in every location, the award winning 14,000-strong Commonwealth Collective of volunteers, in their stand-out balti orange uniforms, were the beating heart of Birmingham 2022.

The Volunteers Collective service will support them to continue being part of an amazing volunteering team until at least 2025. Initial invitations will go to 22,000 people.

The portal will start by matching Games volunteers with the new events coming to the region in the wake of the Games.

Hosted by the United By 2022 Legacy Charity, the portal will help event organisers and regional organisations, from local charities to youth sports clubs, to connect with the West Midlands’ talented volunteers. After an initial period during which Games volunteers will be given the first chance to sign up.

It will then act as an open door for new entrants to volunteering, including near-miss applicants and young people who weren’t old enough to be part of the Commonwealth Collective in 2022, as well as opening up opportunities for people inspired to volunteer during the Games.

The Volunteers Collective was developed with an initial investment from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, a development grant from Spirit of 2012, the London 2012 Olympics legacy charity, and technical development support from Rosterfy, Birmingham 2022's volunteer management software partner.

In addition a report has been published, the Future of Event Volunteering in West Midlands, considers the demand for volunteers and how organisers can engage and retain an inclusive volunteer workforce. United By 2022 Chair, Sir David Thompson QPM DL said:

“We set out to deliver more legacy for more people in the region and this new volunteering portal is the start of a series of announcements the charity will be making over the summer.

“We are delighted that our first portal partnership will be with Birmingham City Council whose exciting calendar of events is a perfect reason to get the Games Volunteers back together again.”

Ruth Hollis, CEO, Spirit added: “We know that events can be a fantastic way to get people into and keeping on volunteering.

“We’re delighted that this platform will build on the evidence from what works from previous events, to deliver opportunities for the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands.”

Post-Games market testing highlighted a demand from Games Volunteers looking for further volunteering opportunities. But there is a clear gap in the City and Region for a service that matches events looking for a volunteer workforce with West Midlands based volunteers.

Designed to dovetail with well-established local voluntary organisations like BVSC, One Walsall and Voluntary Action Coventry, the platform aims to link up the whole region, connecting existing opportunities and support services to the many thousands of people who stepped forward to play a part in the Games. Nicola Turner MBE, Executive Director for the Legacy Charity said:

"We were all blown away last summer by the enthusiasm of the thousands of volunteers that worked on the Games. Their pride and can do attitude ensured that the event was a success.

“Unusually for a global sporting event of this kind, many of the Commonwealth Collective were first-time Gamers, with a high proportion from Birmingham and the West Midlands.”

For those organisations who rely on volunteers, capturing this enthusiasm in the wake of the Games is essential, and for local organisations, , attracting a new crop of volunteers from a wide variety of backgrounds, was the top legacy priority.

United By 2022 is the Legacy Charity purpose-built for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, dedicated to ensuring the legacy continues to thrive across the West Midlands. The Games served as a unifying force that ignited transformative change, boosted growth and remade the image of the region.

The charity works to ensure that this halo effect continues, and is inclusive, reaching overlooked places and underserved communities. With its unique know-how and local networks the charity is generating more opportunities and sharing them with the organisations working on the ground with communities across arts and culture, sport and well-being, and for the benefit of young people.