Psychological benefits for volunteers at the Watersports Inclusion Games

We wished to pilot a survey of volunteers at the annual Watersports Inclusion Games regarding benefits and barriers to participation. We collaborated with community partners regarding the impact of the event, which invites individuals across physical, sensory, intellectual and learning ability spectrums and those experiencing barriers accessing mainstream sport to participate in watersports.

The project aimed to assess the survey data in the context of current knowledge about volunteers in watersports inclusion.

Literature review was completed using keywords in databases and grey literature. An anonymous survey of participants gathered basic data using industry-standard encrypted techniques and opt-in methodology, including qualitative and quantitative aspects. Data was quantitatively analysed using Excel and SPSS, and free text was analysed to explore themes using Braun and Clarke (2006).

This pilot data demonstrates the role, demographics, motivations and benefits for the 2019 volunteer cohort. Seventy-nine of 208 volunteers responded. We describe demographics of the cohort and explore psychological benefits of volunteering at the event. Of 78 responses, 94% (n = 73) gained confidence, and 95% (n = 74) felt more engaged with the watersports community. Of 79 responses, 95% (n = 75) gained skills, and 96% (n = 76) learned more about inclusion by volunteering.

Our plot data supports previous evidence of the value of volunteerism in inclusive watersports, for the event and for volunteers. It is the first article on inclusive watersports volunteers in Ireland we are aware of, and the largest cohort of inclusive watersports volunteers surveyed internationally.