Through its' Lead Further charitable foundation British Colleges Sport is launching the first ever 'Lead Further Week', which we envisage will become an annual event.  This annual event showcases and celebrates the valuable contribution that volunteers make to the provision of sport within further education, whilst also galvanising all of our members and partners to provide activities that support volunteers.

Lead Further Week 2012 will be taking place from the 30th January until 3rd February 2012.  

How it works

All we ask is that participating colleges provide three core elements:

1. For a minimum of one training activity or event which focuses on either the recruitment, education, deployment or support of volunteers. This can be student or staff focused, or ideally both.
    
2. There is a feature built into the event that provides recognition to existing volunteers for their commitment to date, this could be an award, certificate or simply a genuine thank you for their efforts.
    
3. There is a fundraising element to raise money for the Lead Further charity so that in turn it can continue to generate support for the development of leaders and volunteers within the sector.

Suggestions for Activities

Below is a brief idea of some of the activities possible and we encourage you to be creative and innovative.

• Fun mini taster sessions on the myriad of volunteering roles.
• A themed student management team event, meeting or consultation
• Training workshop (or series of) themed around coaching, officiating, leadership, performance analysis, sports media & photography, journalism, psychology, fitness etc.
• Launch of a programme that helps retain volunteers i.e. membership scheme, coaches association, alumni etc.
• A volunteer campaign to recruit new volunteers within the college or community
• A discussion workshop on volunteering

Sign-up and Benefits

To date there are over a dozen colleges already signed up to Lead Further Week.  To ensure your college gets involved you will need to complete a simple two-part application form, which is available by clicking here.

• Part one is pre-event and outlines the project plan, detailing what will be held, who will be involved and the target amount for fundraising. 
• Part-two is post-event and details what was delivered, the project outcomes together with funds raised. 

Successful applications will receive access to the Lead Further logo to position alongside their event and will have the opportunity to be featured on the Lead Further website.  Upon receipt of part-two of the application form post event, all projects will be entered into the national awards which will be held across the following three categories: Fundraising, Participation and Innovation.

Award winners will receive an exclusive kit package, together with the opportunity for a guest visit from national staff to officially award the college with their prize and deliver a free training event for staff or students.