UCB students urged to volunteer at the Invictus Games

Hospitality and tourism students at University College Birmingham have been encouraged to volunteer at the Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham next summer.

More than 70 students from the university's Department of Hospitality and Tourism attended its Inspire Conference, held as part of its WelcomeFest programme for the start of the academic year.

The Invictus Games are coming

Group Captain Jules Merrison, director of impact for Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, spoke to students about volunteering opportunities when the event comes to the city.

The Games, founded by the Duke of Sussex, bring together wounded, injured and sick serving and former military personnel from around the world to compete in adaptive sports. They will run from 10 to 17 July 2027, with the opening ceremony on Saturday 10 July.

The event will be centred on the National Exhibition Centre, where most sports, the ceremonies and accommodation for competitors will be located. Swimming events will take place at Sandwell Aquatics Centre, which was built for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Competitors will take part in nine core sports, with three new additions: e-sports, pickleball and laser run.

Why volunteering helps

Students heard how volunteering at a major event can help them gain experience, develop new skills and build professional networks, as well as being part of a Games that celebrates courage, determination and the strength of the human spirit.

Major sporting events rely on thousands of volunteers. During the 2022 Commonwealth Games, volunteers known as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Collective helped welcome visitors, support athletes and keep events running smoothly, and many said it was one of the best experiences of their lives.

Learning from industry

The conference was opened by David Paulson, executive dean of the university's Business School. Martin Clarke, senior tourism marketing manager at the region's growth company, spoke about the region's visitor economy.

A panel featured graduates and employers, including Conrad Brunton, managing director of Tonic Talent and a former student, Munerrah Dubidat, founder of J'Adore Consultancy and also a graduate, and Matt Alexander, operations and engagement manager for the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District, which employs two graduates and one current student. The panel was moderated by Katie Bickley, and the closing remarks came from Paul Bamber, senior lecturer in tourism.

A growing visitor economy

Birmingham's visitor economy has grown strongly over the past decade, helped by major events, conferences and exhibitions at venues such as the NEC and the International Convention Centre. Hotels in the city recently voted to create a new Accommodation Business Improvement District, which will raise money to attract more events and overnight visitors from 2027.

That growth creates demand for skilled staff in hotels, restaurants, events and tourism, which is why universities and colleges are working closely with employers.

How to volunteer

People interested in volunteering at the Invictus Games can sign up to the official Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 community online for news about volunteering opportunities and early access to tickets. Volunteers usually need to be available for training before the event and for several shifts during it.

A proud sporting city

The Invictus Games will add to Birmingham's growing reputation as a host of major sporting events, following the Commonwealth Games, the European Athletics Championships at Alexander Stadium this summer and international cricket at Edgbaston.

About the Invictus Games

The Duke of Sussex founded the Invictus Games in 2014, inspired by the Warrior Games for injured American service personnel. The first Games were held in London that year, and they have since been staged in cities including Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, The Hague, Dusseldorf and Vancouver. The name comes from the Latin for unconquered, and from the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley.