Birmingham Citadel
Salvation Army

Birmingham Citadel Commonwealth Games Volunteer’s stories

10.08.2022

Members of Birmingham Citadel Salvation Army Church put themselves forward as Volunteers for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and will be a wonderful memory for all those who were part of making the Games happen as well as more than one million people who attended the events.

Sam Seabridge was assigned to Birmingham Airport 

I’ve been welcoming Athletes and Officials as they come into Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station, helping them make sure they’ve got all the right things and sending them off to the correct games villages. We’ve also helped those who are heading back via departures. My highlights have been meeting some of the Athletes who have gone on to win their events, collecting pins and badges from different countries around The Commonwealth and even meeting one of the top country officials from India!

Ruth Capewell was placed at the Athletes Village for the Coventry and Warwickshire events. 

She says 

It was a privilege and an honour to have been a CWG volunteer, especially as I was born in Birmingham and consider myself as a Brummie! I was based at Warwick University Athletes Village. My role was in transport, initially welcoming the athletes as they arrived. Then once settled in, my colleagues and I ensured that the athletes got on the right bus to their training and games venue site and welcomed them back with or without a medal with great applause and cheering. The athletes and the games family ( physios, coaches, team managers, medical team, etc) were all so friendly and great to converse with. My highlight was sharing a pizza with some of the Samoan team on the bus. You don’t want to mess with these guys! The Police, armed police, armed forces, security team, bus drivers and of course my fellow volunteers were all great to work with and we had such a laugh. Working outdoors, we were blessed with perfect weather. The Games are considered to have three key values: humanity, quality and destiny. These help the Games to symbolise the coming together of the diverse group of nations in a central setting. Everyone in the village integrated well. Whatever the colour of their skin was, whatever religion they practiced. Be it they were from a rich country or a poor country. Be it if they won a medal or not. For those 2 1/2 weeks we were all united together. We were all one in our central setting, the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham. I pray that one day our world can be like that. That we can all be at peace with one another. And worship the one true Lord! People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Luke 13:29

Andrew Dickinson works for the local Water company who provided free water at every venue.

Working for Severn Trent allowed me the opportunity to volunteer at what we have called ‘Water Bars’. The purpose was to reduce the amount of single use plastic bottles being used across the games by offering free water to those with refillable water bottles.

I did three sessions including the Triathlon and the Beach Volleyball. It was great to be right in the middle of the action being able to help keep everyone hydrated. TV presenter Simon Thomas (of Sky Sports and Blue Peter fame) came over for a chat, as did several athletes taking part in the triathlon and I cannot forget ‘Spikey’ the England team mascot coming across and making a nuisance of himself.

The atmosphere across all three sessions was wonderful with everyone so happy to be there. My favourite quote was someone telling their daughter ‘who knew free water could make me so happy’….I better not tell the CEO that bit of information. 

Major Vic Kennedy is a retired Salvation Army Officer who works with West Midlands Police as a Police Chaplain supporting the Officers and Staff. 

As a chaplain with the West Midlands Police I was asked to be responsible for chaplaincy at the Police Command Hub for the Commonwealth Games. We seconded 3000 Police officers from others forces throughout the UK to make sure the games were a safe environment for the athletes, visitors and local residents. At The Police Command Hub we had military, fire, Air force and NHS commanders and a host of specialist security personal drawn from as far afield as Australia helping with the police operation

I got to know many of these people throughout the games and was seen as their Padre; in fact I was called this on numerous occasions. Many Spiritual conversations were shared. Our chaplaincy support was greatly valued.

The West Midlands police chaplaincy team distributed around 1500 copies of a special Commonwealth Games New Testament provided by the organisation “Good News for everyone” to police officers and staff involved in the Games.

The Commonwealth Games gave us the opportunity to share our faith in “Love and Deed” to around 4000 police officers and staff along with security personal from other agencies which was a great privilege and also a Hugh responsibility.

Rob O’Connor saw an advert asking for volunteers to help the West Midlands Police during the Games.

I was fortunate to have two opportunities to volunteer. Prior to the Games starting I was a driver for a number of overseas security staff who were receiving Security briefings and tactics to deal with major events and large crowds.  Most of the overseas visitors had not been to Birmingham before so we were able to tell them about the city and how it has changed and modernised in recent years. I also met the Chief Constable of the Police Force and was presented with a commemorative medal marking the Games.

Following the conclusion of that role I transferred to the Logistics area, again working as a driver to take supplies to Rest and Refreshment areas for the Police who were on duty at the various venues around the area.  As a volunteer I worked with 3 different teams of Police officers from all over the UK. They were amazed and impressed I was prepared to give up my time to help them do a job they were being paid to do. There were times either on the road or in the warehouse where we talked about their day to day roles and how difficult Policing is, and how much help volunteers provide to make their jobs easier. It was a very enjoyable time.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games has been an outstanding success, not only for the sporting achievements of the competitors, but also for the City and West Midlands region. The people of Birmingham and the West Midlands have embraced the people of the Commonwealth and shown them the true “Brummie” spirit of warmth and generosity. Those members of our church who took the extra step to join the army of volunteers have been able to Love God, Love Others through their willingness to be placed where they were needed, to help, direct, congratulate or commiserate, refresh, listen, refill and just be there when someone wanted a friendly face.