RE:FLECTING ON THE BIRMINGHAM 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

And just like that, a month has passed since the start of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. This time last month, our teams of Games Responders and HQ staff were arriving in Birmingham, preparing to support the prestigious event. 

Now that we have returned from the Games and our teams have taken some well-earned rest, we reflect on the event which was a real success.

As the Official Military Veteran Provider, RE:ACT was delighted to provide many of our wonderful Games Responders to assist as Games Responders.

During the Games, which ran for 12 days from the 28th of July to the 8th of August, our Games Responders provided security support across all venues in Birmingham and helped to ensure all visitors had a smooth, safe, and enjoyable experience.

Our Games Responders’ presence was very well received with lots of positive feedback from visitors and venues.

 The Venue Security Manager at Arena Birmingham commented on RE:ACT’s Games Responders and the support they provided:

“Since they hit the ground, the proactive can-do attitude has shone through in everything they have done. Helen has been a star, she has taken time to do pre-event visits to familiarise herself with the venue, the role and meet the team.

The team has literally enabled the gymnastics to take place in front of a crowd by enabling the safe entry of spectators. Security delivered professionally with a smile. I am delighted to have had RE:ACT on venue supporting the operations.”

For some Games Responders, the Games was their first experience working with RE:ACT.

This was the case for Helen Almond who commented:

“It was my first experience with RE:ACT and it thoroughly exceeded all my expectations, a really great group of people, and I feel privileged to have been involved in this task! Massive thanks to everyone - from the HQ team to every volunteer, it was amazing to be part of!”

Helen can be seen below, pictured with six-time Olympic medalist, Max Whitlock who she bumped into at the Games.

Lawyer at Sidley Austin, Chloe O’Brien also had the opportunity to work with RE:ACT as a Games Responder for the first time at the Games and you can read more about her experience here

Helen and Chloe’s positive experiences have been echoed by many of RE:ACT’s Games Responders, both existing and new, with many new Games Responders feeling inspired to sign up for our upcoming Domestic Responder training as a result of their experience at the Games.

Whilst working hard to keep those attending safe and engaging with the public to make their time as enjoyable as possible, the team still found some time to enjoy themselves too, grabbing lots of snaps with Perry the Official Games Mascot and with the odd celebrity too.

The Commonwealth Games is unlike any other event RE:ACT has supported in the past and very different from many of the natural disasters or crises’ we usually respond to but it was fantastic to see our Games Responders using their training, teamwork, and range of skills to go above and beyond and ensure things ran as smoothly as possible.

Our team turn their hand to any situation which proves once again why they are the lifeblood of RE:ACT, we couldn’t do it without them.