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 an ability to engage with a wide range of people.
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.
Nigel Horton-Baker, Executive Director, Reading UK, said: “If you are looking for a stimulating volunteer role and want to help Reading’s recovery by helping people and sharing your pride in Reading, why not consider becoming one of our Welcome to Reading Ambassadors? We want to welcome visitors back to Reading, ensure they can get to wherever they need to go and take away an understanding of what there is to do and see while they are here. If you think you could help make a difference to the visitor welcome to Reading, we would love to hear from you!”
David Pinder, GWR’s Reading Station Manager, said: “With tens of thousands of people coming through Reading Station every day, this is a great chance to provide them with a warm welcome, information and directions. This great project can make a real difference to station users and ensure they make the most of the amazing things Reading has to offer and have a seamless onward journey.”
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 Welcome to Reading Ambassadors will be based inside Reading Station at a mobile tourist information stand. You will receive training, guidance on COVID-secure working and will wear a branded Welcome to Reading t-shirt/jacket during your shifts. You will need to be able to volunteer for up to three hours a week on average.
To find out more about volunteering as an Ambassador, leave your contact details HERE