Memories I shall cherish

13 August 2012

John Leondard, Community Peer Support Officer

As my pre Olympic training was on information point; I was mainly placed at one of the two tents we had at each end of the venue using an online lost and found database and answering venue specific questions. The first day was hot and incredibly busy; we felt a little over whelmed and ended the day without a proper break. At this time I wondered what I’d let myself in for.  As the days went on we became a very slick team, most queries were dealt with immediately and as the praise and thanks from the spectators grew so did our confidence. We had many questions about events at other Olympic venues mainly from overseas guests; my knowledge of the London underground and the Javelin service became second nature, at times feeling more like a tourist information centre - thank goodness for our search engine

We all did get to work at different areas at times,  allowing us to experience the event from a different perspective I felt very privileged to be in the prestige stand to see the start of the team GB’s gold rush. The spectators knew there was a real chance of a gold; the atmosphere was electric and the crowd cheering was deafening. If at the end of the race there was somebody without the biggest smile on their face, I didn’t see them. Being by the finishing line and then seeing them receive their medals was a very special moment for me. It wasn't all gold and glam, as I also had less glamorous duties, such as asking people not to smoke and directing people to the toilets.

I have many memories of my time at Eton Dorney. My uniform along with the mementoes we were given are now stored away as a reminder to what was a wonderful experience. It was exhausting at times but this has been far outweighed by the lovely people I’ve met and the memories I shall cherish.   

My first week at Eton Dorney

5 August 2012

John Leondard, Community Peer Support Officer

Arriving for my first shift was quite daunting as I didn’t really know what to expect. I needn’t had worried as every other volunteer was feeling exactly the same way as me! The armed forces man the security check-in each morning carrying out a very important role professionally and with a smile for everyone.

The first job each day is a well deserved cuppa, particularly for me as my shift starts at 6.30am. The we are all allocated a work area for the day. So far I’ve worked on information point answering questions, giving people direction on site - sometimes feeling more like a travel rep! I’ve also had a shift within touching distance of the finish line & podium; seeing team GB collect their Gold medals is a memory I’ll always cherish. But it all evens itself out though, as the next day I was directing people to the toilets.

All the volunteers have worked extremely hard and we do our very best to ensure the 25,000 spectators that come to Eton Dorney each have had a day to remember and leave us showing their appreciation knowing nothing has been too much trouble. It’s been extremely tiring at timea but this has been far outweighed by the lovely people I’ve met.

The rowers have now gone, so bring on the canoeing!

Becoming a London 2012 volunteer 

26 July 2012

John Leondard, Community Peer Support Officer

Since the last London Olympics were held in 1948, I felt the chance to be a London 2012 volunteer was a ‘now or never’ opportunity! It was back in the summer of 2011 when the volunteer applications opened and my journey began.

The online application came with the advice from Lord Coe to “tell us what’s special about you”. With a strict limit on how many words you could use to sell yourself it wasn’t an easy task! After I hit the submit button there was nothing else to do but to sit and wait, hoping I was what they were looking for.

Luckily, I didn’t have to wait too long to hear that I had passed the application round and was invited to the London Excel for a one to one interview. I had a time slot with 20 others, all eager to get their spot on the volunteering team. At a Q&A session where we were told more about the Games, the speaker pointed out that being a volunteer (or Games Maker, as they call them on the inside) wasn’t a short cut to a front row seat at an Olympic event. Jobs would range from meeting and greeting, to information services to sitting in a portacabin ticking off car registration numbers. After a few sighs of disappointment, as the realisation that we weren’t going to meet Usain Bolt set in, we were each led into our respective one to one interview.

Despite being a little concerned that I had finished my interview way before anybody else, it was just before Christmas 2011, when the good news came that I was officially a 2012 Games Maker! I was pleased that I was offered my 1^st choice of the Olympic Games venue at Eton Dorney near Windsor for the rowing (I didn’t really fancy battling the crowds through London). My role as Events Services was confirmed as being “the face of the Games”, and my primary focus would be to ensure the spectators are provided with the information and guidance they need to enjoy their Olympic experience.

Roll on 2012!

Come January, I was beckoned to the Wembley arena for the first of many Olympic orientation days. The purpose being that all Games Makers are equipped with knowledge of the Olympic and Paralympic Games heritage. John Inverdale was the host and we had celebrities and athletes speaking as well as representatives from the police and security services. The logistics of the Games became apparent; the enormity required to organise the events needed everyone involved to play their part. I left feeling inspired, knowing that the experience would be hugely rewarding.

On a wet day in March our training continued at Hackney community college. It was like being back at school in a classroom! The training was now becoming more focused on our individual roles.

The final training session before the Olympics opens, on another wet day (this time in July), at Eton Dorney. Although the weather stopped us having a tour of the key areas in which we would be working, just seeing venue was inspiring enough. The day gave us a chance to meet all the people we will be working with and it was our last chance to ask questions before the show begins in just a few weeks time!

Check back soon to see how I get on!