“A Community Games in every
community – every year”
What is the Community Games
Programme?
• Inspired by the Wenlock Olympian Games, the
programme was originally created in 2010 as a Legacy
Trust UK programme in the West Midlands to bring
the spirit of London 2012 to the region
• Has been a national programme since January 2012
• Gives communities the chance to come together and
take part in sports and arts activities
• Received funding from the Government’s Social
Action Fund in 2012 and 2013
• Delivered by the County Sports Partnership Network
and the YMCA
Are we a ‘Community’?
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A street
An estate
A local business
Regular users of parks/public spaces
Shared interest groups
People with a shared cultural heritage...
...or a group of people that means something to
you
Why should we get involved?
• To be part of a national event, inspired
by London 2012
• To bring people in your community
together
• To give people in your community the
chance to try some new activities
• To HAVE FUN!
What has happened so far?
• 3,551 communities have engaged with and
staged Community Games
• 80,130 volunteers have contributed over
£4million of volunteer effort
• 2,566,675 participants have enjoyed their local
Community Games and shared memories with
their families, friends and neighbours
• £1.4million has been raised at a local level to
stage events and fund community projects
What does a Community Games
look like?
• Includes a mix of both sporting and
arts activities, either ‘having a go’
or competing, or both
• Has an opening and/or closing
ceremony...
• ...And anything else you want
What does a Community Games
look like (cont)?
• They all look different:
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Some on one day at one venue
Some over a week at multiple venues
Some involve competition
Some focus on participating in new activities
• The important thing is that they
are organised and shaped by you and are
about your community
How are the Games organised?
• One person from your community as the
Community Games Organiser
• Other people from the community to help
• Local councils and other organisations
may be able to help you
Can an existing event be a
Community Games?
• Yes, if it includes both sporting
and arts activities and some sort
of ceremony
• If it doesn’t, then it could be
added to and turned into a
Community Games
If I decide to organise a Community
Games will I get any help?
• A website – www.communitygames.org.uk, with
lots of helpful ideas
• A toolkit – available to download from the
website – and also a hard copy
• A free e-learning workshop that takes you
through the main tasks involved in organising a
Community Games
• Local advisers to help you to shape your ideas
• Free workshops on how to organise and
promote successful Community Games
Support for Organisers cont…
• A page on the website for your Community
Games
• A regular newsletter with information and news
on what’s happening elsewhere
• Publicity materials to help promote your Games
• T-shirts for your volunteers
• Banners, bunting and giveaways to give your
Games the professional touch
Is there any funding available?
• All the support that you can access is free
of charge, including the e-learning and
the workshops
• There are some sources of funding for
events available in some areas; your local
CSP will be able to help and there is
information on the website
Three steps to a successful
Community Games...
1. Research...
• Who makes up your community?
• What are the community’s interests?
• What is the age and ethnic make-up of
your community?
• How can you ensure that activities are
staged for all ages, abilities and
disabilities?
2. Develop ideas...
• Where and when would be best
to hold your Community
Games?
• What do you want the
programme look like?
• Can you link with another
event?
• The toolkit has lots of ideas that
will help you
3. Put the Plan into Action!
• Make use of the Community Games
toolkit, for example the timeline
document and event delivery plan
• Access the Support Programme