Volunteers have always played a vital part in the sport and physical activity sector. Without them, most activity simply wouldn't happen. Approximately 150,000 Somerset residents volunteer at least once a month, a large number of these in sport and physical activity.

Would you like to volunteer or 'lend a hand' with SASP? Volunteering is a great way to make friends, learn new skills, get fit, fill a gap in your CV, get work experience and make a real difference to sport and physical activity provision in Somerset.

Whatever way you want to volunteer, we have options for you. From a weekly commitment to one-off events, there is a range of flexible opportunities available. Listed below are regular volunteering opportunities, however, if you would like to be more flexible and volunteer when we have one-off events please email Laura Carter on lcarter@sasp.co.uk.

As a SASP volunteer you will be provided with all the necessary training and knowledge that is relevant to your role and given a SASP 'support crew' t-shirt.

Take a look at our current volunteering opportunities below.

Somerset Volunteer Service

Somerset Volunteer Service support over 120 Active Living groups, each providing an opportunity for people over 50 to take part in local activities, enjoy the company of others, and access all sorts of information about keeping well and active. Each group is run by teams of volunteers and by getting involved you'll be playing a crucial part in helping improve the wellbeing of individuals in your local community. For more information click here.

Do-it Trust

The Do-it Trust is the UK's national volunteering database, Do-it.org makes it easy for anyone to volunteer in their community. Do-it.org lists over 1m volunteering opportunities, including sport and physical activity opportunities, that are posted by volunteer centres, national/local charities and voluntary groups. Find and advertise an opportunity here.

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Blackdowns, Quantocks and Mendips)

You can find our more on each specific volunteering page:

Blackdown Hills AONB

Quantock Hills AONB

Mendip Hills AONB

Hannah Worthington is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills and Blackdown Hills, all nationally protected as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. She will be working with each AONB team to help people get involved in these special areas. To find out more about the volunteering opportunities available you can contact her here.

parkrun

There are 7 parkrun locations across Somerset (Minehead, Taunton, Burnham, Street, Yeovil, Shepton Mallet and Henstridge) and they all rely on volunteers to take place. To find out how you can get involved locally visit the website and search for your location.

Royal Bath & West Show Sports for the Disabled

They are actively seeking more people to volunteer and help them out. If you are interested take a look at their Facebook Page and get in touch.

Without the time, energy and commitment of volunteers, grassroots sport simply wouldn't happen.

Whether they give up a few hours a month to lend a hand, or travel up and down the country every weekend coaching a team at matches, volunteers are the life and soul of community sport.

This means that if you are a club that relies on volunteers, it's important you know how to inspire, manage and support them, recognise their hardwork and make sure they know how valued they are.

You need to provide them with an amazing experience from the minute they first engage with your club. An excellent, free resource to help you do that is the Club Matters website.