Tour de France Le Grand Départ 2014: Tour of Yorkshire!

Date: 6th July 2014

Location: Sheffield

Mission: Le Grand Départ 2014

Role: Supervisor, Sector 20

One never forgets how to ride a bike :-)

13th February 2014 - Applied for a role with the Tour of Yorkshire!

Today I applied for one of the most exciting events to come to my university city of Sheffield - Le Tour de Yorkshire!!

With the excitement surrounding the events and my recently purchased road bike, I was more than definitely inspired to apply!

The application form its self was relatively straight forward, once I'd dug my driving license out to find the number for the ID section! The amount of times I need this for volunteer application forms, I should probably save it in my mobile or something!

With my previous experience of coordinating/supervising volunteers I applied to be considered for a supervisor role. When it came to actual role on the day, I'd pretty much do anything, anywhere to be involved!

Application submitted, now time to wait...

28th February 2014 - Interview Time!

I'd read on the website that anyone applying for a supervisor role would be asked to complete an online interview, or should I say virtual online interview! Having completed a Skype interview for Sochi 2014 I wasn't too nervous about talking into my computer. The nerves came from the fact there wasn't going to be a person on the other side of the screen so to speak!

So, I woke up early this morning, put on a smart top (jogging bottoms on the bottom half!) and loaded the software. Personally, I thought it was good way of doing interviews, it allowed me to complete it when I wanted without having to fork out travel expenses to and from the interview, along with needing time off uni. Perfect!

The interview was made up of 4 (or was it 5?) question, nothing unexpected. The interview seemed to be there to check I had the skills and experience to supervise/coordinator a team of volunteers. Fingers crossed I meet their criteria!

21st March 2014 - Congratulations!

Ahhhh the excitement! This email has just landed in my inbox!

"Congratulations Nicola

You have been selected to be a Tour Maker. This is the next step on your way to making the UK stages of the Tour de France 2014 an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. We are really excited to have you on board."

I'm going to be volunteering as a Tour Maker!! WOOOOOOOPPPP!!!!!

However..... I still don't know where I'll be or what I'll be doing! Eeekkk!!
I've offered to volunteer at any of the 3 stages so finding out where I am should be interesting :-)

[update: I got a real world job which means there's no way I could go to London on the 7th, therefore I've had to change me available to Stages 1 or 2, hope that doesn't affect my offer!]

16th April 2014 - Orientation booking opens!

Now the excitement is really starting. Today I received an invite to book my orientation training. Apparently at orientation I'll find out "what being a Tour Maker will involve, and see some very special guests."

Living in Sheffield I chose the Leeds orientation training, which just happens to be the day after my Glasgow 2014 Role Specific Training so it looks like I'll be flying up and down the country that weekend - I just can't get enough!

9th May 2014 - Stage and Sector Confirmation!

Today the excitement really really got going as I received an email detailing the stage and sector I'd be allocated!

I was so excited to find out that I'd be allocated Stage 2, Sector 20. Sector 20 is the final sector of Stage 2 in Sheffield! Being a regular volunteer around this area I was so so excited, nothing can beat me down.

Now just to wait for orientation to find out more about the event! :-D

25th May 2014 - Orientation Training!

This morning was the first in the series of Tour Maker Training! Off I went to Leeds, after returning to Sheffield from my trip up to Glasgow only this morning! It made for one very sleepy Tour Maker!

The adventure started with a very busy train to Leeds. Apparently the train company had put one less carriage on than usual, but never mind, 40 minutes later I arrived in Leeds ready to follow my map to the arena.

It would be wrong to write this post without mentioning one thing. That one thing being the rain! It poured and poured down, leaving those of us who had arrived early for the doors opening DRENCHED! However, it's fair to say that everyone I spoke to in the queue was very positive and excited for the event, so no Tour Makers spirits were dampened.... unless our feet...!!

Once in it was really busy, apparently there was stands and the opportunity to get our photos taken with the trophy, but because of the crowds this totally passed me by and I carried out straight into the seating expecting it to start soon.

After an hours wait the show began! As per usual with 'orientation trainings' no 'real' training occurs, that's saved for Role Specific training. It's all about motivating the volunteers and getting the buzz going about the event!

It was amazing to see the venue so busy, with loads of Tour Makers venturing out and braving the rain. Now doubt many Tour Makers will have travelled a lot further than myself - Well done to those!!

The 'show' itself was hosted by Rob Bonnet a BBC Sports Journalist and featured the following 'special guests':

• Gary Verity - Chief Exec of Welcome to Yorkshire! He went out of his way to confirm that the Yorkshire folk are more than welcomed to call people love and pet! 
• Brian Robinson - The first Briton to finish the Tour de France and the first to win a Tour Stage!
•  Jenny Brierley - A Games Maker with a volunteering addiction who spoke about her times as a Games Maker at London 2012 and how that inspired her future.
• Nicky Roche - Chief Exec of TdF Hub 2014!
• Nicola Adams, MBE - I really don't think I need to explain who she is! She was awesome!
• James Tibbetts - Events Operations Director at TdF Hub 2014
• Bob Brayshaw - Safety and Security Director at TdF Hub 2014
• Kate Fox - Poet
• Toby Cuthbertson 
• Alistair Griffin - Singer of the offical Tour of Yorkshire track 'On the Road'

Along side this excitement there was also a cheeky video with the star of Educating Yorkshire showing off a teaser of the lovely ASDA green Tour Maker Uniform!

I LOVE the fact the back says "TOUR MAKER.... Happy to Help :-)" Although it is ASDA's tag line, I think it's a brilliant representation of what volunteers are there to do.

Once the event was over, I took the scenic route back into the train station hoping to pick up a Tour of Yorkshire Pencil (I admit, I'm a geek, I collect pencils from different places!) but sadly the shop was very VERY busy... so much so there was a queue to get in!

All was not lost though! After a bit more wandering through the shopping centre I managed to find the count down clock. I literally spent a good 10 minutes looking at it! It's a very interesting piece of engineering!

Next up is Role Specific Training where I'll get to find out more about what my role involves and get to collect my uniform! Eeeekk!!! Not long to go now! :-)

6th June 2014 - On route or off route....!?!?

Having booked Role Specific Training early this month, the wait to find out whether I'd be allocated an on route or off route role had begun. With every event I volunteer at it's the being there that counts, so although I had my preference I was never going to be disappointed!

Email came through..... I'm an on route supervisor...Yipppeee!!! :-D 

15th June 2014 - Role Specific Training!
For Role Specific Training I headed up to Leeds with a fellow volunteer. The additional excitement of today is that today would be the day that uniforms were distributed!

 6th July 2014 - Race Day!!
Wow Race Day was finally here after many many many days of talking about the Tour coming to Sheffield, today was the day.... The tour was coming to Sheffield! My day started with a brisk walk up to Hillsborough Leisure Centre where all the Tour Makers for that area were meeting.

Lets the games begin: Glasgow 2014 Common Wealth Games: Clyde-Sider

So I thought it's about time I started a new post following on from The Road to Glasgow 2014 now that the first training session is fast approaching!

Orientation Training - Friday 7th March 2014

As Glasgow to Sheffield is pretty much impossible to do in 1 day, I finished work on Thursday and caught the train to my parents ready for my trip to Glasgow the next day.

On the Friday, I got an early train to Glasgow giving myself an hour or so to talk from the station across to the training venue - the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

On arrival there was no mistaking what was going on that day, with lots of branding and signs as shown in my photo! I was quite surprised at the length of the queues outside, but I think this was because the doors didn't actually open until 10am. Once the doors were open, the queues quickly disappeared and soon enough everyone was ready for the show to begin!

Promise I'll come back and finish this one when I get a spare moment or 2 :-)

The price paid to volunteer....Time and ££

As the Glasgow 2014 Common Wealth Games gets closer and closer, the realisation of the cost of volunteering beyond just your personal time is setting in for many, so I thought I'd do a post on the realistic costs of volunteering at events! Obviously this is just my personal opinion on things, and how I personally choose to make my decisions about events etc. I appreciate everyone is different and has different views. Fingers crossed it might help one person....somewhere!

Before I talk costs, first I'll offer some guidance on working out 'if it's worth it' for your personal circumstances....
Note: not all volunteering costs money and lots of time! The more local the event is, the cheaper the transport to it and the less time required travel to it :o)

1. Check your availability for the event: different roles and events have different availability requirements. Make sure you're honest about these - don't just say the maximum in hope that it will stand you in a better chance of getting a role. What would happen if after you've invested lots of time and money attending training to be given your rota and not be able to make 7/10 of your shifts so the organisation offers the role to someone else instead? So check you're holiday allowance, speak to your boss at work, ask what time you can have off, speak to friends and family, work out what is actually realistic... it will make life so much easier come the event! How gutted would you be if you get a role and your boss doesn't let you have the time off? Just be honest about things!

2. Check how many training days are required: 99% of organisations will state how many days you will be required prior to the event - ask yourself, can I realistically commit to this? Will I be able to get the time off work? Will I be able to get childcare for these times? Deem training as compulsory unless emergency situations arise - don't be 'that person' that thinks they're 'too special' or 'experienced enough' to not have to attend. What would happen if everyone decided it wasn't worth it - no one at the event would be trained! My view is either I fully commit to doing something or don't do it at all.

3. Check when you will hear by: most of the applications I've submitted have an 'application due' date and a 'you will hear by' date or time frame. Take the worst case scenario, if you don't hear by then, can you still get time off work, arrange for all those mentioned in the above? Is there something you'd rather be doing? Too many times I hear, "I haven't heard yet, I'm really annoyed because I can't book a holiday".... if you get the role you wouldn't be having a holiday anyway!!

4. Check what expenses will be paid: 99% of FAQ's or volunteer adverts will tell you if the organisation will be paying expenses. Make a note of the distance if the organisation will only pay travel expenses for so many miles, this can be handy when looking for accommodation!

5. Check average costs for training AND event time....and don't expect the £19 a night Travelodge Deals! You'll find that normal principles apply to booking transport, 12 weeks in advance for trains and the like. Obviously if you wait until the week before you'll expect to pay a small fortune, but working in advance is worth it. BUT.... don't depend on booking in advance...you might still be awaiting your outcome depending on Number 3 above :-)
Accommodation, is a different matter! For small scale events, think UK School Games and the like, it's likely you can get half decent prices at Travelodge/Premier Inn type places. Olympic Games and the like, don't even THINK you'll get cheap accommodation! My best advice is to think about exactly what you 'REALLY' need, yes we'd all love a 5* hotel right by the venue, but that will obviously come at 5* prices and some more!! My best bit of advice would be to start saving as you start filling in your application form! If you save too much, well that's a few extra beers or t-shirts, too little and you struggle your way through...

6. Check what the role options are and what the guarantee of getting these...obviously there are certain roles that the majority of people would want at an event. It's normally not feasible for everyone to get what they applied for. Before applying make sure you check that roles are available and if you'd mind being given something other than you're applying for. Sometimes it your role allocation might make no sense at all to you, but are you willing to trust the organisation to allocate you a role they think you have the skills for? Number 1 tip... Be prepared for change! Things happen, people drop out, new roles are required and logistics change. Be prepared to turn up and muck in with what ever needs to be done on the day to get the event to go off with a bang!

My final thing to advise you on, DO NOT VOLUNTEER INSTEAD OF BUYING TICKETS!! If you really, really, really, want to see the action (and will be grumpy if you don't see it!) buy tickets!! As a volunteer you could be placed ANYWHERE unless your role specifically says 'court side', there's every chance you could be in a car park directing people into the venue, or in a corridor stopping unauthorised people walking down it! You have been warned! :-)

I can't emphasise how important it is to consider all these things upfront and really thinking through your expectations - applying 'just to say you have' only wastes your time and adds extra work for those doing the organising and recruiting.

Remember....There are always plenty of people who have the time and money ready to commit to the event. It's a shame for them not to get the opportunity because of someone applying 'just to say they have'. It would be a shame for you to drop out last minute and it be too late for someone who was willing and ready to take up the opportunity if they'd have been accepted when you had!

If you've gone through all these are are definitely ready to commit then read on for the typical costs I've paid whilst volunteering.....

UK School Games 2011 Sheffield: 1 x training event + 5 day event
£45 petrol - I lived in Gateshead at the time, so I had the petrol there and back for the 2hr training
£45 petrol - travel for the time of the event
£200 accommodation - 7 nights in a Premier Inn 5mins drive from venue
£60 food - some nights I went and brought food from Asda, others I was so shattered I ordered room service, some nights I worked 14hr+ shifts so I got 2 meals provided!

World Netball Series 2011 Liverpool: no training + 2 days event
£45 - By this time I'd moved to Sheffield so commuted from Sheffield to Liverpool each morning and evening. Drove Snake Pass for the first time....whilst it was pitch black! It's worth noting this event was 5 days long, but I was only available for the weekend shifts.

London 2012: 2 x training, 1 x Uniform, 12 day event
£52.45 - Travel to Role Specific Training
£52.45 - Travel to Venue Training
£18 - Tube travel to get from St. P to Hackney and the likes!
£0 - For Uniform and Accreditation Collection (I was in London on other business!)
£900 - Travelodge in Covent Garden for 12 nights
£45 - Travel to London for the games! I booked this well in advance, paid extra to change my return ticket to a later time once I heard the parade was happening...also paid £3 extra for the 1st class upgrade!
£60 - Food. My shifts were 12pm-"8pm", so I was never awake for breakfast...and became a regular in the Sainburys opposite Holborn tube!
£9 - luggage store in St. P so I could watch the parade hassle free.
In addition to this, I don't want to add up the amount I spent on merchandise. Tickets I bought aren't included either....they came to at least £200 but that's something else I don't want to add up!

Note: I think I was lucky with London - I didn't find out I had my role until quite late on, by which point hotels had started reducing their prices. I did weigh up the idea of staying further outside of London and commuting in, but I really wanted to be in the buzz of it. Central Line did me proud!

Glasgow 2014: Possible 3-4 training, 1 x Uniform, 12 day event
So far...
£45 + £29 - Travel to interview: I drove back to Gateshead, stayed with my parents then go the train to Glasgow!
£36 - Travel to Orientation Training - I booked these 12 weeks in advance! Shef -> NCL -> Glasgow return!
£238 - Accommodation aka. my tent on a campsite!! I've took the brave decision to book via Camping Ninja (http://campinginglasgow.com/volunteer-special/) for the price, it's amazing value! All I'm worried about is the communal showers, but I'm sure I'll survive!
Expecting:
- At least another 2 or maybe 3 trips to Glasgow for training and uniform collection
- Travel to Glasgow for the games (definitely driving, not taking my tent on the train!)
- Food whilst there
- Travel whilst there (will more than likely be free but may as well over estimate!)
- Additional costs for the likes of merchandise and beer!

At the end of the day, it's important to be honest about the cost of volunteering, both time and money wise. Volunteering wouldn't be half as fun if I was too busy concentrating on how much things were costing or how much work I'd have to do when I got back! If you're wanting to volunteer but don't have the time or money to go and do 'big' events, look local! There's LOADS of sports clubs, charities and random organisations that would benefit from your time, probably more than a 'big' event would! :-)

Feel free to share your own opinions and costs via the comments below :-)