Dorset Volunteer Ambassadors

24th May 2021

When: 29th May - September 2021

Where: Tourist spots across Dorset

Why: Welcome visitors and provide information

What is the Dorset Volunteer Ambassador Programme?

This summer we need Volunteer Ambassadors to be a welcoming face for visitors in key tourism spots across Dorset. Ambassadors will greet visitors and provide local information including parking, restrooms, restaurants/cafes, places of interest, and when busy—alternative places that they could visit.

What will Volunteer Ambassadors do?

• Be a welcoming face for visitors in your area
• Engage positively, assisting with questions
• Provide information on services and facilities
• When it is busy, give recommendations for alternative places of interest
• Roam a designated area talking to visitors
• Work in pairs, partnered up with another Volunteer Ambassador
• Wear a branded uniform and ID badge
• Have a backpack with PPE, rubbish bags and useful information for handing out

Who can be a Volunteer Ambassadors?

• Anyone aged from 16 years old (under 18s will need parental consent)
• You need to be able to be active for 3-4 hour shift
• Commit to a minimum of 10 shifts across the Summer
• You will work as a pair (any under 18s will be paired with an adult)

When will Volunteer Ambassadors be needed?

• Some locations will start from 29th May
• Throughout the Summer until September
• Some location will operate 7 days a week
• Volunteers will work in shifts of 3-4 hours
• Working in pairs (any under 18s with an adult)

Once you are registered and approved on our online booking portal, you can select shifts that you would like to do.

What are the benefits of being a Volunteer Ambassador?
Volunteering as an Ambassador is rewarding for yourself, your community and visitors to Dorset. This is a great opportunity to be out and about this Summer enjoying Dorset’s visitor hotspots, meeting new people and even having fun! This programme can enable personal development, improve life skills, self-confidence, and physical and mental well-being. You can use or develop interpersonal skills, communication and customer service techniques. For anyone working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award, being an Ambassador can count towards your volunteering.

What will Volunteer Ambassadors be provided with?
Each Volunteer Ambassadors will be provided with:

• Branded uniform including polo shirt, jacket, cap and backpack
• ID badge
• Face mask, and hand sanitiser
• Reasonable travel expenses
• Snack bars
• Training

What will I need to do to be a Volunteer Ambassador?

Once you have registered your interest on the portal, you will need to:

• Complete the training programme (approximately 60 minutes)
• Provide a current DBS certificate. If you do not have one, we can apply on your behalf. There is no charge for volunteers.
• Read, sign and return a volunteer agreement
• Let us know your shirt/jacket size

How can you register?

Ideally, we would like Volunteer Ambassadors to be based in their own local area—local knowledge is key! Please select the venue nearest to you to register.

• Blandford Forum
• Bridport
• Cerne Abbas
• Dorchester
• Lyme Regis
• Portland
• Seatown
• Shaftesbury
• Sherborne
• Swanage
• Wareham
• Westbay
• Weymouth
• Wimborne Minster

If you have any questions, please contact the Volunteer Centre on 01305 269214 or [email protected]