As National Volunteers’ Week celebrates the important contribution volunteers make across communities this week (1 to 7 June), residents are being encouraged to sign up for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support the Grand Départs of the Tour de France in Cumberland during summer 2027.
Around 9,000 volunteers will be recruited across Scotland, England and Wales to support the delivery of the event. Known as ‘JOY Makers’, volunteers will help welcome spectators, support event operations and contribute to the smooth running of all six stages.
Cumberland is set to take centre stage when the Grand Départs arrives in Summer 2027. Carlisle will host the finish of Stage One on Friday 2 July, as riders travel from the race’s opening in Edinburgh, while Keswick will host the start of Stage Two on Saturday 3 July. The route will then travel through the Lake District, giving local communities a unique opportunity to be part of this globally recognised event.
Volunteering roles will be available across both the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, with opportunities suited to a wide range of interests. National Volunteers’ Week provides a timely reminder of the value of volunteering and the positive impact it can have, both for individuals and for communities.
Anyone aged 16 and over can apply, with no previous experience required. Full training will be provided, and volunteers will have the chance to develop new skills and be part of this huge international sporting event.
Applications are now open for anyone interested in getting involved, with opportunities available across all six stages of the event. Registrations opened on Wednesday 27 May and will remain open until Tuesday 1 September 2026.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places at Cumberland Council said:
“Volunteers will play an important role in supporting the Grand Départs, helping to create a welcoming experience for visitors and ensuring the event runs smoothly. It will also be an opportunity to bring people together and showcase Cumberland to a global audience, and we’d encourage anyone interested to find out more and consider getting involved.”
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a historic event and to help put Cumberland at the centre of one of the world’s most iconic sporting occasions.
Applications can be made at www.letourgb.com/volunteer.