Team Kinetic co-hosted the second MMU Sports Volunteering Conference, at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, within May 2016. The event covered key themes of volunteering within sport, physical activity and health-related fields, using a mix of practitioner workshops, engaging keynote talks and interactive practitioner-led stands.

Alongside this, the conference titled ‘Sports Volunteering in the Current Landscape’, included a full line up of speakers including: Geoff Thompson MBE from Youth Charter, who discussed helping young people, communities and society as a whole. Charlotte Hill, CEO of Step Up to Serve, who identified the role of evidence in her national programme which runs until 2020. Explaining how they have embed this programme locally and nationally to build uptake. Alongside these, Tony Jameson-Allen from Sporting Memories foundation, offered fascinating insights from the high profile Comic Relief part-funded dementia and sport history well being project discussing how sport plays a major role within helping dementia, and how activators and volunteers play a vital role in supporting the organisation.

The conference was aimed at organisations and individuals who have a role in recruiting, managing and deploying volunteers, as well as those with a strategic view of volunteer development and growth.

Catherine Elliott – Senior Lecturer, MMU said “We want to create a place where volunteering is examined in a professional manner. Starting the conversation to understand the role of the volunteer is vital, so that you can evaluate the value and potential of their support. The conference reflected on the dynamism of the volunteer space, with discussions and first hand, real world involvement being explained to a variety of organisations, to teach valuable experience and develop their growth”.