parkrun is working with Join In to support the Big Help Out, a nationwide campaign to inspire 10,000 new volunteers into community sport
parkrun delivers weekly 5k timed runs (and 2k for juniors) that are at the heart of local communities. Volunteers are the lifeblood of parkrun, with around 6,000 weekly helpers bringing the community together to create a unique running community that families, friends and neighbours can enjoy. Whether it's cheering on the runners, marshalling or even baking post-run cakes – there's a role for everyone at parkrun.
Join In’s research shows that people who volunteer with their local sports group are happier and healthier. They are 28% more likely to feel what they do has importance and are more likely to trust others in their community. This all results in higher self-esteem, emotional wellbeing and resilience amongst volunteers.
Event Director at Woodley parkrun in Berkshire, Kerri French, said: “Being a volunteer at parkrun has helped me in so many ways. It has boosted my confidence, especially in public speaking, which has had a knock-on effect on my day job. For me, parkrun has always been about other people’s running and not my own, and I get a lot of enjoyment from just watching people turn-up and enjoy their run with friends.”
As part of their support, parkrun will inspire and encourage new and existing volunteers to help out each week at their local parkrun event and contribute to the on-going #BigHelpOut target of 10,000.
Video: parkrun patron Eddie Izzard encourages you to get involved at their local run
Managing Director of parkrun UK, Tom Williams, said: "Thanks to the contribution of thousands of volunteers, around 70,000 people take part in parkruns up and down the country each week.
"As well as playing an active role in your community, volunteering at parkrun provides a wonderful opportunity to boost confidence and pick up new skills, from event management to public speaking to writing reports for a local newspaper. Everybody can be involved and no experience is necessary - just come along with some enthusiasm and a smile."
Former 5,000m world record holder and Director of Sport at Join In, Dave Moorcroft, commented, “parkrun is a great example of how a whole community can pull together through sport. People of all ages, abilities and backgrounds come together every Saturday morning to build a sporting community and the volunteers are very much at the centre of that community, bringing everyone together.”
More than 6,000 people volunteer at parkrun events across the UK every weekend, but despite this huge effort, 55% of the population still don’t know that sports clubs are run by volunteers and seven out of 10 sports clubs still need more help.
