My Volunteering Frequently Asked Questions

The Wave of Friendship Frequently Asked Questions

Make a Splash! Frequently Asked Questions

What is People Making Waves?

People Making Waves is part of The Scottish Project, the Legacy Trust UK’s Scottish regional project, supported by Scottish Arts Council. It is a 4 year programme that will invite the people of Scotland to connect with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Olympic Movement in general to express its values of excellence, respect, equality, courage, determination, inspiration and friendship. in waves of voluntary action that reach out locally, nationally and internationally in a celebration of humanity through sport, culture and learning. People Making Waves will focus on creating a legacy in Scotland through people’s awareness and involvement in the Olympic Movement.

Who is involved?

As the lead partner Volunteer Development Scotland will deliver the People Making Waves programme in partnership with Voluntary Arts Scotland, Demos and Greater London Volunteering. Volunteer Development Scotland will be responsible for the overall running of People Making Waves.

What are the projects in People Making Waves?

My Volunteering is an online resource for use by all People Making Waves volunteers to create and record their volunteering experience and learning. It will be a user friendly way of recording sharing and creating stories of people’s involvement in making waves and the Games. It will also act as a tool for groups to advertise their volunteering opportunities and to evaluate and share their group contributions and connections to the Olympic movement, including the other waves of activity. Volunteer Development Scotland will be responsible for the design and development of My Volunteering.

Make a Splash! (Partner agency Voluntary Arts Scotland) will deliver information and awareness raising sessions supported by a small grants programme for voluntary arts and cultural groups The aim of these grants is to seek to involve people in expressing themselves and in doing so create stories inspired by the Legacy themes (Sport & Wellbeing, Knowledge & Learning, Arts & Culture). Make a Splash! will conclude with a festival celebratory event.

A Scottish Wave of Change (Partner agency Demos) will engage people in the democratic development possibilities of the Olympic Movement. It will be based on debates about the future and develop a set of processes by which people can discuss and consider the possibilities and challenges, looking at a range of matters around volunteering participation, engagement in arts, culture, sport, community activism and will explore the link to Glasgow 2014 and the Commonwealth Games. The Wave of Friendship is a volunteer exchange programme between Scotland and London. Volunteer Development Scotland will partner with Greater London Scotland and London. Volunteer Development Scotland will partner with Greater London.

What role will volunteering play in both 2012 and 2014?

These major events will allow anyone and everyone to get involved – simply by getting involved and offering their time before the Games, during the Games and after the Games. Volunteers are a part of our everyday life and will unquestionably have a critical role in ensuring the success and last legacy of such a major events. We expect that from now individuals, groups and communities from Scotland and around the world will create their own inspirational stories of sustainable activities and actions which will contribute to and strengthen Scotland’s unique identity. Up to 70,000 volunteers will be directly involved in Games time volunteering at the Olympic and Paralympic Games and up to 15,000 during the Commonwealth Games.

What is the purpose of the website peoplemakingwaves.org.uk?

An online resource to create and record experiences and associated with the other waves or stories about how you are inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games . Allows you to create a digital storybook of word, movies, images. Provides social networking opportunities with people and groups The site will generate a rich picture of the diversity of the people of Scotland and how they are inspired by and contribute to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

When will all the functions of the website peoplemakingwaves.org.uk be available?

Registration on the site and the social networking, storytelling functions are planned to be launched at the beginning of December 2009.

How can I tell my story?

A story can be in many forms, it could be a traditional story using words to describe your experience. It could be a series of photographs, a movie or a podcast. It could also be a mixture of any of these methods.

Does my story need to be related to sport?

No, the Olympic and Paralympic Games are much broader than sport and also cover the arts, culture. Your story may be related in some way to one of the Olympic Values: Excellence, Friendship and Respect .

When can I apply?

Now! Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. The panel that decides on who to award bursaries to meets on a monthly basis and application deadlines are one week before they meet. The next panel meeting will be on 16th October and 13th November.

What volunteering opportunities are available?

Suggestions in Scotland include:

Suggestions in London can be found via the following links:

How do I get started?

  • Find a volunteering opportunity to suit you
  • Contact the organisation and get agreement in principle for you to participate
  • Fill in a Wave of Friendship application form (add link to application (pack to be provided))
  • Ask the organisation you are volunteering with to fill in the form ‘Host organisation Agreement in Principle’
  • Send both completed forms to

What would my commitment be?

After completing your volunteering experience you would need to:
  • Write a short description of your volunteering experience on the My Volunteering website (including photos where possible)
  • Agree to participate in an event with Volunteer Managers and/or Volunteer Centres back in your ‘home’ area to share your experience
  • Share information with us about your volunteering experience such as how you found suitable accommodation, to help us to improve our support to future volunteers

How are bursaries claimed?

By submitting receipts for the expenses incurred. If any volunteer has difficulty paying expenses before receiving a bursary it is possible to pay them in advance. Full details of how to do this will be given to successful applicants.

Are there any age restrictions for applications?

Applications will only be considered by those aged 18 or over. However, if someone under 18 has a parent/guardian/responsible adult who would be willing to undertake the volunteering as well, they can both apply through the application process as a family volunteer exchange.

What support is available for applicants with additional needs?

Applicants with additional needs, which would mean that they require assistance in order to volunteer, may apply to the programme with a friend, partner or support assistant.

What if my application is unsuccessful?

Each application will be considered on its merits and the decision of the award panel is final. However you are free to apply again for a place on the programme in future.

What is Make a Splash! all about?

Run by Voluntary Arts Scotland, Make a Splash! is a series of information and training events, which will take place between October 2009 and March 2011. The events are aimed at existing voluntary arts and crafts groups – or people keen to set one up. Make a Splash is also a funding programme run in conjunction with the Scottish Community Foundation. This will allow people to apply for small grants to help them try something new, take a risk – and make a splash! Make a Splash is also about gathering stories – your stories. We want to collect as many inspiring tales of arts and craft volunteering as possible – so that’s how we’ll be evaluating the way you spend your grant (no boring evaluation forms!).

Are you holding an event near me? And if so, when?

Probably! We’re visiting all 32 Local Authorities, in order to reach as many people as possible. It will take us a while to get round the entire country but we aim to have visited the whole of Scotland by March 2011. Details of where we’re visiting and when will be continually updated in the ‘Events’ section of this website and on the Voluntary Arts Scotland website – www.vascotland.org.uk

Do I have to attend a Make a Splash! event before I can apply for a grant?

No, but we strongly recommend it. The events will offer help, support and advice on the best way to apply for and spend your grant. However, if we’re not visiting your part of Scotland for another six months, and you have a burning idea you just HAVE to try immediately, then by all means go ahead and apply!

How can I apply for a small grant?

The Make a Splash programme will be launched at the Voluntary Arts Scotland conference on Friday 30th October. After that, information will be available on how to apply for a small grant.

Who is Voluntary Arts Scotland?

Voluntary Arts Scotland is based in Edinburgh, and offers help and support to organisations, groups and individuals engaged in the voluntary arts and crafts in Scotland. It is part of Voluntary Arts, an organisation whose aim is ‘to promote participation in the arts & crafts’ across the UK and Republic of Ireland. You can find out more about us, and how we can help you, at  www.vascotland.org.uk