By Roberta Geraci
There is one phrase that has dominated the London 2012 Olympic games, the opening ceremony and much of the press coverage, namely the official motto “Inspire a Generation”. The idea behind the motto was that not only the athletes but also the many thousands of volunteers without whom the games would not have been possible, would leave a long lasting impact on the UK and indeed inspire others around the world either to be involved in sports, culture or volunteering in their communities.
While not all of us can go on to be the next Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis or Michael Phelps we can all think of the our impact on the future generations and help to inspire others to achieve great things. Leaving a legacy is the idea that you will be remembered once you have gone, and we all hope to have a made a positive impact on the world, however small. It may sound strange to be talking about leaving a legacy when speaking about volunteering projects for young people aged 17 to 25, but becoming a role model and setting an example for young people can start at young age. It is especially important to consider the kind of example and legacy you want to leave while travelling on a Gap year. We are all increasingly aware of the environmental impact we are leaving for future generations and we can all recognise the importance when travelling to leave a good impression and be a responsible visitor.
But leaving a legacy is about more than leaving the place as you found it. To truly inspire someone young or older is about leaving a lasting impression, be it through teaching English overseas, caring for the Elderly or helping children compete in sports. Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to give something back to your community, to help others who may be less fortunate than you, or to inspire the next generation to greatness.
You and I may not remember the man who first taught Usain Bolt to run, the man who taught Michael Phelps to swim or the first coach who put a racket in Andy Murray’s hand, but you can bet that the athletes remember and likely sitting at home watching on TV will be those who inspired them, feeling an immense sense of pride. That sense of helping someone to achieve something, be it greatness, progress or just the first steps, is what volunteering with young people is all about and it is a rewarding experience that will inspire you as much as those you aimed to help.