A good year for Coventry Ambassadors

Dozens of Coventry Ambassadors attended a celebration event at the North Warwickshire Sports Club on Wednesday 11 December to thank them for their hard work in 2013, and to review the award winning scheme.

Joined by Coventry Lord Mayor, Cllr Gary Crookes, the Ambassadors were invited to the evening event to mark their contributions to the Davis Cup Tennis, Corporate Games, Godiva Awakes, Godiva Festival, Christmas Lights Switch On and more in 2013.

In 2013 alone 345 of the volunteers have been recruited across 15 events contributing 3665 volunteer hours which totals £42,840 in economic value to the city.

Guest speakers from Coventry University, Coventry City Council and CSW Sport thanked the volunteers and informed them of future involvement at upcoming events.

Since London 2012, where the Ambassadors first made their impact in Coventry, a new social enterprise EnV has been set up to maintain and manage the scheme.

Vince Mayne, Deputy Director, student health and well-being at Coventry University said that the Ambassadors had been doing a tremendous job and highlighted the Davis Cup Tennis event at the Ricoh as an excellent demonstration of the volunteer scheme.

He said:

The Coventry Ambassadors have become an integral part of major events in the city and the Davis Cup match at the Ricoh Arena is a prime example. They have provided a warm welcome to thousands of people who have never been to Coventry before and the feedback we get is really positive.

 
Scheme organisers are currently recruiting more volunteers. Over 100 people have applied to become a Coventry Ambassador to join the award winning volunteer programme, applications close on Friday 13th Dec – although people can register for the scheme throughout the year.

Coventry Ambassadors have most recently been spreading the season’s greetings as part of the Christmas Lights switch on in the city centre and visitors praised the welcome provided by 25 of the volunteers.

Councillor Ed Ruane, Cabinet Member for Housing and Heritage, said that the Ambassadors are a great asset to the city.

He said:

The scheme is standing the test of time. The Coventry Ambassadors provide such a friendly positive face for the city and once again feedback from the Christmas lights switch on has been really complimentary.

Coventry Ambassadors were first recruited in the Autumn of 2011 - part of the biggest volunteer recruitment the city had witnessed.

More than 300 Coventry Ambassadors turned the city pink during the 2012 Olympics and were acclaimed by visitors to Coventry. The volunteers welcomed thousands of people acting as guides and providing a lasting impression of Coventry.

Organisers said that becoming a volunteer presented recruits with an opportunity to meet new people, represent the values of the city and build on their CVs. New Coventry Ambassadors will also receive free training and uniforms.

To apply to become a Coventry Ambassador volunteer visit Coventry.gov.uk/Coventryambassadors.
The programme is funded by Coventry City Council and managed by Coventry University.

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