Coventry student and City Host

Weronika Sielskais is a volunteer City Host for Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture, helping to welcome and assist the thousands of visitors expected to come and enjoy the celebrations. Here she introduces herself and talks about why she's getting involved:

In my free time I love to push my mind as well as my body;

spending time drawing and model making as well as training martial arts. I am a member of Coventry University Jiu Jitsu club, and I am really excited for training to resume after the lockdown break.

I'm really excited to take part in volunteering for City of Culture alongside my final year as an Architecture Master's student.

I am a very curious person who loves to socialise and learn from each opportunity given, and so I couldn't pass up on being a City Host. I also hope I get to experience more of Coventry by taking part in as many events as possible.

My research background has given me an in-depth knowledge of Coventry, which I hope will prove helpful to visitors.

My course also made me aware of the city's historical importance and really made me want to be a part of making its future.

It takes a kind, compassionate and proactive individual to be a City Host,

helping visitors and making sure they feel welcomed. We are the first people they will see when arriving to the events and we are also the first point of contact to help with with any questions or worries.

I hope this opportunity will help me improve my communication and organisation skills as well as my confidence and public speaking.

This first-hand experience will be a great aid with my future studies at Coventry University and I hope to gain more knowledge about the city and its residents and visitors.

I am excited to play a role in such a big event for the city I've grown to love.

As a Coventry University student this city became my home, and I am looking forward to experiencing more of Coventry by taking part in as many events as possible.

For anyone interested in becoming City Host, my advice is simply: give it a chance and sign up.

It may feel like a lot of responsibility and time at first but the more you know the more you will realise it's a great opportunity to learn, make friends and create memories.