Communities

Active and Engaged Communities

Take the Positive Futures initiative. It’s providing hope to many of our disaffected young people, including those with criminal records or who are vulnerable to the temptations of drug abuse and anti-social behaviour. By channeling their energies into activities like sport, the arts or education, it broadens their life chances and generates an enormous sense of personal achievement.

Welcoming the world to London 2012 also gives us a wonderful opportunity for families to have a shared experience and to celebrate our nation’s extraordinary diversity. The chances for positive engagement in the run up to London 2012 will give everyone the opportunity to interact with people they may never have known or were unwilling to approach.

This is just some of what London 2012 can do for you and for communities in Yorkshire. But what can you do for it?

Volunteering gets right to the heart of what the Games are all about. The Personal Best Programme gives young people the skills and confidence they’ll need to work as one of the estimated 70,000 volunteers required for London 2012 And many more young people could enhance their future career prospects by volunteering closer to home - The 2011 School Games in Sheffield or Clipper yacht race 09/10 in Hull for instance. And because active citizens build stronger communities Yorkshire will continue to make access to volunteering opportunities in the region even easier.

We believe that London 2012 is for everyone. And that includes you.

Mel B launches 25th Hour campaign in Yorkshire and Humberside to inspire London 2012 legacy.

A nationwide campaign which aims to use the inspirational power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to motivate the British public to give time in their communities is now underway based on the idea that we can all find the extra hour and more to make a difference.

Former Spice Girl Mel B from Leeds has pledged her support to the 25th Hour, urged people across the region to pledge their time to the campaign. She said: “While the 25th Hour is all about finding time for others, it’s also about what you get back. Giving a little time to projects or people in Yorkshire and Humberside that you care about, means meeting people who share your passion - and re-discovering a sense of community in your local area. That’s why I think people across the region should give up their time.”

Pledge your time now at www.the25thhour.org