How many volunteers do Lesnes Abbey Woods junior parkrun have?
We need 16 volunteers every week to run a safe event.
What difference do your volunteers make to the event?
This event only happens because of the time and dedication of our volunteers, this largely happens because of our weekly team of volunteers which is led by a small group of enthusiasts who form what we call a' Core Team', they make sure the event is set up and packed away each week, results are published, tokens sorted, event reports written and so much more
What training can volunteers access with your organisation?
Our volunteer tasks are straight forward and easy to do, none of the tasks are too stressful, you could be organising the finish funnel, operating the time, or scanning the runners barcodes, we try to start people out on a general marshalling type role so they get a feel of how it all operates. We can provide training on any of the roles on the day. Our Event Directors must undertake a Children in Sport Safeguarding training and this is provided by parkrun.
What roles do your volunteers do for your organisation?
- Event Director - Overseeing the whole event, they make sure it can run safely.
- Run Director - Responsible for the run, they make sure every runner knows how to look after themselves and others during the run.
- Warm Up Leaders - We undertake a warm up at every event. It is fun, energetic and we encourage everyone to join in! Our junior runners like to lead the warm up.
- Time Keeper - Every runner gets a time at the end (if they have registered for free and have a barcode), they will make sure evyone is clocked in.
- Finish Tokens - Once a runner has finished and been timed, they will recieve a finish token which they hand to the Barcode Scanner.
- Barcode Scanner - Scanning the runner's registered barcode and their finish token completes the timing process (these all get processed at the end of the event)
- Marshals - Showing runners which way to go, providing high-fives, encouragement and keeping everyone safe, our marshals are out in the field providing a very important role.
- Tailrunner - No runner is left behind, that's the role of our tailrunner!
- Pre event set up - Before the event can run, we need a course. This small team set up the signs and finish funnel.
- Post event close down - What goes up, must come down! Packing all the equipment and signage is a necessary task and this team make sure it all gets put away.
When a volunteer has volunteered 25 times, they qualify for a free V25 t-shirt. It looks great when we look part of a team!
What do your runners say about your volunteers?
"My daughter runs the Lesnes Abbey junior parkrun every week which is run purely by volunteers. These people work amazingly hard to organise the event, and the support they give the runners each week is incredible.
Zoe my daughter loves it and really feels part of something special, she had made some great friends and the regular exercise keeps her physically fit. I would encourage anyone to take part and get involved - Thanks for everything" - Chris Leighton
Lesnes Abbey Woods junior parkrun is a free event and takes place every Sunday morning at 9:00. You can find out more here: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/lesnesabbeywoods-juniors/