The CSYV supports The Telegraph's 'Keep The Flame Alive' campaign

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The Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers (CSYV) programme is supporting the Prime Minister’s call to “harness the spirit of volunteerism”, and The Telegraph’s campaign, ‘Keep The Flame Alive’.

Engaging nearly 4,500 young volunteers who have dedicated over 100,000 hours since the programme began in 2007, The CSYV is a UK-wide volunteer initiative that supports young people from disadvantaged communities to become sports leaders and volunteer coaches delivering sports sessions in their own communities. 

These young people are creating a lasting legacy for London 2012, dedicating their time to ensuring other young people are able to access sport and reducing the barriers to participation by delivering it in the right place, for the right price, at the right time and in the right style. In addition, the young volunteers have gained almost 4,000 sports coaching and sports-related qualifications to ensure the provision of sport in their communities is fun, safe and, most importantly, high-quality.

Michael Fairclough, Head of Community and Co-operative Investment at The Co-operative Group, said: "Now is the perfect time to harness the enthusiasm of our young people and provide them with a real sporting legacy and we believe that businesses have a real responsibility to help motivate and inspire young people by giving them new opportunities to gain the skills, knowledge and experiences to be pioneers for their generation. 

"With almost 4,500 young volunteers in our Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers programme, we can see first-hand how inspiring young people can be and how much they can achieve when given the right opportunities and we would urge the Government and other businesses to act fast to provide more supported opportunities for young people in sports and volunteering while they feel inspired to get active and get involved."

john [dot] downes [at] streetgames [dot] org (John Downes), The Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers Programme Manager, said: “The Olympic Games and the performances of Team GB have truly inspired the country and we’re delighted to see the Prime Minister and The Telegraph recognising the importance of sports volunteers to securing a legacy. The almost 4,500 Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers have been building a sports infrastructure in the UK’s deprived communities since 2007 and will continue to do so to ensure that the legacy of London 2012 is that every young person has access to sport on their doorstep.”