Here at the National Paralympic Heritage Trust we're lucky to be supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, who help us to carry out our work across collections, events, digitisation and learning sessions. They are often the face of the NPHT at events, in schools, and in the community. At the time of writing, our volunteers have donated a whopping 443 hours of their time over the last three months alone, and this National Volunteers' Week, we want to say a huge thank you to every single member of our volunteer team.

This year, the NPHT will celebrate it's tenth anniversary and we'll be looking back at some of our most memorable moments. But these ten years are as much about the volunteers who've helped us along the way, each of them a core part of the team and a key part of the journey.

We've been speaking to our volunteers, hearing about their experiences and the moments that stand out the most. In the first of our 'Volunteer Stories' series, here's what volunteers Graham and Steve had to say!

Graham (pictured below left)

I have been involved with disability athletics for over 20 years, albeit as an official. Most of the events I work at take place at the Stoke Mandeville stadium so have been aware of the Paralympic history for quite a while, although not the whole story.

I started volunteering with the NPHT in 2019. One of the other volunteers, Steve Lowe, had been in touch with the team and told me about it. Since then, I have been involved in numerous events, met hundreds of people and (hopefully) shared my learned knowledge on the history of the Paralympic Games.

A favourite memory from one of the events was Darren Harris taking on the Arsenal Football Club Academy with a press up challenge. Darren is a blind footballer who is now in his late 40’s but he was still doing his one-handed press-ups long after all the academy players had given up.

I found the challenge of the World Taekwondo Championships in Manchester to be very rewarding. On the Friday, Fiona, Amy, and I prepared the setup for the event and had lots of interested school children and adults during the day. I was then ran the pop-up for the next two days alone, and although it was hard work it was very enjoyable meeting Paralympians as well as members of the public.

As well as learning about Taekwondo, I have also picked up the basics of a few other sports which I had no idea about before volunteering. These include Boccia (pictured below), Blind Football and Goalball.

I was asked about the proudest moment of volunteering, but I think that comes from us as a team, volunteers and staff members working together to deliver the best experience we can for everyone we encounter.

I'm looking forward to helping at many more events and sharing the incredible history of the Paralympics.

Steve (pictured below right)

My dear friend, Brendan who sadly passed away since I joined as a volunteer, signposted me to the NPHT through our friend Tanni Grey-Thompson. Brendan and I had met her and her husband several times over the years at various Paralympic Games. Brendan suggested that I join as a volunteer, which I am very fortunate to have done.

From 1989 I used to compete with the British Amputee Sports Association at Stoke Mandeville also coach there over many years. So, to return now as a volunteer is a truly wonderful experience that triggers so many happy memories. I made wonderful friends who I shared experiences with at x 4 Games, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004 and then the best was London 2012. So being at SM as a volunteer following newer Games like Paris 2024 is very personal for me.

It is extremely satisfying with a sense of emotional reward each time I volunteer.

I have so many favourite memories really, however the 2024 flame lighting was a great occasion, not only witnessing the historic flame lighting (in the GB rain) but to be able to mingle with all walks of life deeply connected to the Paralympics, athletes, fellow volunteers and international representatives at all levels.

I am trained as an Accessibility Champion; I have been proud to represent the NPHT conducting audits at several museums and workplaces connected to the NPHT. This is one of my favourite memories because a little correct advice can make a huge difference to many enabling them to gain access to historic items with their families. 

The very recent Limb Power Games which I attended and participated in was another great memory, so many people with disability similar to my own, sharing competition, laughing and having so much fun, a truly wonderful occasion. 

I’ve learnt new skills, regarding presentation writing etc, how to communicate better with different disability groups. I am looking forward to writing more regarding amputee blades, with a blade or two to demonstrate. This subject seems to grab the attention of the school pupils. So, I’m excited about the future and being involved with STEM etc teaching older pupils about the Paralympics and the fantastic history.

A big thanks to both Graham and Steve for sharing, look out for more volunteer stories soon!

If you're interested in joining our volunteer team, then please visit https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/Pages/Category/volunteer for more information, or email Ben Banyard-Phelps, at [email protected]