The nationwide search is on to find 9,000 volunteers across Scotland, England and Wales, who will be at the heart of the historic Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grands D\u00e9parts in summer 2027, as the application portal officially opens.<\/p>\n
Officially known as JOY Makers, named in line with Grand D\u00e9parts GB\u2019s social impact programme, volunteers will be the heartbeat of both races, bringing the joy of cycling to fans and communities throughout the six stages, and helping to ensure the sport\u2019s most iconic races runs seamlessly.<\/p>\n
You can apply now to be a JOY Maker for any of the six stages of the 2027 Grands D\u00e9parts via www.letourgb.com\/volunteer<\/a> with registrations open from Wednesday 27 May until Tuesday 1 September 2026.<\/p>\n Anyone aged 16 and over is encouraged to apply to be a JOY Maker, with no prior volunteering experience needed to share in this once-in-a-lifetime experience \u2013 playing a part in what is set to be Britain\u2019s most-attended sporting event, whilst making lasting memories and developing new skills. A range of roles to support event operations and enhance spectator experience are available on both the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, with full training provided.<\/p>\n To mark the opening of applications and launch the programme, TV presenter and broadcaster Radzi Chinyanganya joined a group of current volunteers getting behind the Grands D\u00e9parts.<\/p>\n Radzi Chinyanganya said:<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be where I am today if I wasn\u2019t a volunteer when I was in my teens. I was a media volunteer and now I\u2019m working in media \u2013 I\u2019m living proof that volunteering can lead to something amazing. I\u2019m so excited for everyone to get involved \u2013 it will truly be an unforgettable experience.<\/p>\n \u201cKnowing what you want to do when you\u2019re young can be intimidating and it\u2019s also unprecedently hard to get work experience at the moment. Applying to be a JOY Maker can help you explore new opportunities and navigate your career path, all whilst being part of making history. Whoever you are, whatever your age or your background \u2013 JOY Makers is open to everyone \u2013 if you want to bring joy, we want you.\u201d<\/p>\n The JOY Makers programme is designed to be accessible to all, from those with experience volunteering at major events and British Cycling activities to first-time volunteers, in particular from underrepresented groups in volunteering, including 16\u201325-year-olds.<\/p>\n Those aged 18 to 25 years old will be eligible to join the Readiness to Work scheme, that will be launched as part of the JOY social impact programme. The scheme will provide a comprehensive package of employability skills training and career-focused mentoring across multiple sectors. Coupling this with the volunteering experience will provide young people with a well-rounded and practical work experience offer.<\/p>\n Together, the volunteer programme and Readiness to Work scheme aim to leave behind a passionate and skilled collective of volunteers, creating a lasting legacy for the Grands D\u00e9parts in communities across the country.\u00a0 In addition to this legacy, British Cycling \u2013 supported by partners across the three nations \u2013 is urging government to commit \u00a330million critical capital investment to deliver a range of new and upgraded cycling facilities across Britain, reaching underserved communities.<\/p>\n This investment would supercharge the hugely successful \u2018Places to Ride\u2019 programme \u2013 a \u00a315m Government investment to cement the legacy of the 2019 UCI Yorkshire Road World Championships \u2013 delivering over 150 community cycling projects across England, saving the NHS \u00a313.1m.<\/p>\n Commenting on the launch of the application portal, Tracy Power,\u00a0on behalf of\u00a0JOY,\u00a0the Grand\u00a0D\u00e9part\u00a0GB 2027 social impact programme, said; \u201cThis is a truly unique volunteering offer and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feel the buzz of being a part of a history-making event, while meeting new people and celebrating your local community.<\/p>\n \u201cThe JOY Makers programme will create a core of engaged volunteers across Britain, who are willing to show up and get stuck in, dedicating their time to bring local events and activities to life. This will not only benefit the cycling community but also help our local communities to thrive and bolster employability.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether you have volunteered before, are a regular on a bike or are completely new to volunteering and the world of cycling, everyone is welcome as a JOY Maker. We can\u2019t wait to have you join the team, help us celebrate the joy of cycling and showcase your communities through the Grand D\u00e9parts.\u201d<\/p>\n Apply now to be a JOY Maker via www.letourgb.com\/volunteer<\/a><\/p>\n