Our research conducted with the HCVs before, during and immediately after the Games highlighted that the vast majority of the volunteers found the experience very positive and, for many, likely to inspire them to become more active citizens. In a unique study, we have returned to the HCVs to explore the extent to which such intentions have been followed through by the HCVs, and the character of the engagement which they have undertaken. 

Read the conclusions of this groundbreaking research and gain insights to the challenges of building a legacy from event volunteering.

Analysing legacy

In contrast to previous research which seeks to demonstrate a volunteering legacy, our starting assumption has been that the longer-term impact of being a HCV was likely to have been limited and thus we have sought to understand reasons for this absence of change, but also to examine further the reasons for any change which has occurred.

Volunteering legacy

The majority of HCVs were already engaged with volunteering before they with HCVs, and they continued to volunteer over the last 3 years. Only a minority – 32 people (11%) – recorded change, with 12 now undertaking volunteering having not done so prior to being a HCV, and 20 no longer volunteering. 

New social connections

The majority of respondents indicated that their levels of connectedness with their local community had altered little by being a HCV, but 20% felt more connected to their local community; 22% (64 people) felt more able to influence decisions affecting their local area, and 25% met up with other people more than they did before the Games.