Volunteers celebrate welcoming visitors to Reading for three years
18th July 2024
A team of a dozen local volunteers are celebrating welcoming visitors to Reading for three years. Giving up their free time to make sure people arriving at Reading Station receive a warm welcome and information to help them make the most of their visit to Reading, many of the team have been volunteering every week since July 2021.
Based at Reading Station and managed by REDA (Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency), the Welcome Ambassadors greet visitors at a mobile visitor information stand by the ticket barriers with maps, information, directions and a warm welcome. The volunteers are at the station every weekday morning whatever the weather and time of year to provide a friendly welcome. They provide information on things to do in Reading as well as practical help on how to reach their eventual destination in Reading.
Alex Brannen of REDA, said: “This remarkable group of people have been giving up their time every week for three years to create a fantastic first impression of Reading. Whether here for work, leisure or other reasons, visitors make a b-line for the Welcome Ambassadors on the Information Stand with all sorts of queries. Our volunteer team have made a real difference to travellers’ experience of Reading with a smile, offers of help and lots of practical information.
“The team are a very friendly group who love chatting to people arriving in Reading and have a deeply-held pride in our town. We are always looking for new volunteers to join us, so if you feel equally passionate about Reading and can spare one morning a week, please do get in touch.”
Great Western Railway Reading Station Manager, Kevin King, said: “The REDA Welcome Ambassadors have done an incredible job over the last three years, creating a warm welcome to Reading for our customers as they leave the station and begin to explore all that the town has to offer.”
To get in touch about becoming a Reading Welcome Ambassador team, email alex.brannen@reading.gov.uk or call 07860 779166.