Are you proud of Reading and interested in helping welcome visitors back to our town? Reading UK is recruiting a team of volunteer Welcome Ambassadors to support the re-opening of Reading’s economy. With leisure rail travel in the UK due to start up again in late June, Ambassadors will operate a mobile visitor information service at Reading Station, playing their part in Reading’s economic recovery by providing a COVID-secure greeting, information and directions to people travelling to Reading.

Starting in July 2021, the Ambassadors will represent our town and all that is great about it, sharing their knowledge of things to do, where to go and how to get there with the thousands of people who pass through Reading Station every day.

Reading UK is looking for people who take pride in Reading, its history and culture, its diversity and its modern economy and who can spare up to three hours a week to help run a mobile visitor information stand inside Reading Station. You will have a good knowledge of Reading, its geography and what it has to offer to tourists, shoppers, business visitors or people visiting for other reasons. You will be confident using maps and timetables and giving directions, have a friendly and professional manner and the ability to engage with a wide range of people.

Reading is increasingly attractive as a leisure visitor destination. We are part of the new national tourist trail, the Great West Way, which runs from London to Bristol. The Abbey Ruins celebrates its 900th anniversary this summer, we have some great museums, river trips on the majestic Thames, excellent shopping and eating out, not to mention high-quality hotels and a surprisingly good cultural scene.

Welcome Ambassadors will also provide a service to the many visitors who are here for business, coming to meet colleagues or clients in one of the many town centre offices or surrounding business parks. The University of Reading, Reading FC and the Royal Berkshire Hospital are among other common reasons for visiting.

The Ambassadors will operate in a COVID-secure manner, following Government guidelines on social distancing and masks, be fully insured and will work closely with GWR and Network Rail staff at the station to ensure they maintain high safety standards.

Get in touch for more information and a full role description.