Mayor begins search for London Ambassadors

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today fired the starting gun in the search for the 8,000 welcoming faces that will greet the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to descend on London for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Marking two years to go until the London Games Opening Ceremony, the Mayor launched the London Ambassadors programme that is looking for people who have a passion for all things London to volunteer their time to give help and advice to our visitors arriving in 2012.

The London Ambassadors will play a crucial role in London’s welcome. From the moment people arrive by plane or train to the moment they leave they need to feel their stay in the capital has been memorable. To ensure this happens the Mayor is looking for 8,000 volunteers who have charm and a real passion for London to become Ambassadors.

Located at one of 35 information booths across the city, such as transport hubs, outside Games venues, near to the City Live Sites, and close to tourist hot spots, they will provide much needed information. This will include the nearest docking station for London's bike hire scheme, directions to theatres and restaurants, and best route to take to the Olympic Park and events.

Registration for applying opens today at www.londonambassadors.org.uk. The Mayor is looking for the Ambassadors to be as diverse as the London population, reflecting the capital’s cosmopolitan make-up, knowledge of different cultures, and the many languages spoken. LOCOG today also launched its campaign to find volunteers to help deliver the Games. LOCOG's volunteers will be known as 'Gamesmakers', and, from today, the public can find out if they have what it takes to be a Gamesmaker at www.london2012.com.

Hosting the Olympics and Paralympic Games is a historic moment for London and the Mayor is keen for as many people as possible to get involved and is looking for applicants of all abilities and disabilities. He is especially encouraging young people to get involved and has opened up registration to applicants who will be 16 years old by 1 January 2012. Anyone new to volunteering is especially encouraged to take part. The Mayor is also working with a variety of businesses, both large and small, to encourage them to allow their employees to take time off to volunteer.

Commenting on today’s launch, Mayor Boris Johnson said: “Everything I do in this job is geared towards showing off this city at its best - safer, stronger, greener, cleaner and more creative, dynamic and inspiring than ever.  When the world descends on our doorstep in 2012 we need an army of ambassadors to provide the welcome and hospitality that will ensure their friends and family will return for many years to come to experience the electric atmosphere of the world’s top city.

”We can’t do this alone so we’re looking for London Ambassadors to lead on the frontline. If you are passionate about London, love this city like I do and want the world to know the great story we have to tell here then please register your interest online. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and everyone in London has a role to play – don’t let it pass you by.”

The London Ambassadors programme is managed for the Mayor by the London Development Agency. The London Development Agency's Group Director for Learning and Skills,
Brendan Loughran said: "The London Ambassadors programme will ensure that visitors to London receive a world class welcome with friendly and knowledgeable Londoners able to help at the key locations around the capital. We are inviting people with a passion for London to register their interest on the London Ambassadors website. During games time London will have a team of highly trained and highly motivated volunteers ready to welcome the world. This will ensure that visitors return to the London again and again.”

The Mayor also used today’s landmark date to call on all Londoners to take part in hosting the Games, regardless of whether they are London Ambassadors or directly linked to the Games. While the London Ambassadors will be on the frontline of the welcome experience for visitors, all Londoners have a role to play from being helpful to our visitors, to cheering on Team GB Paralympians and Olympians.  London Ambassadors are one part of the overall visitor welcome programme and City Hall is working with many partners to ensure anyone in a public facing role will give a memorable welcome to visitors.

The London Ambassadors will be working the stations, streets, parks and airports of the capital for the full duration for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, 53 days in total.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. For more information and to register go online to www.londonambassadors.org.uk  Application forms will be sent out in January.
2. To apply to become a London Ambassador there are three steps to complete:
-    Sign up - set up an account to get news and updates about London Ambassadors.
-    Registration form - after you’ve signed up, complete the registration form.
-    Application forms will be sent in January 2011
3. On sending back the completed registration form, applicants will receive an email to confirm registration. They will receive an application form in January 2011.
4. The deadline for registrations will depend on how many people register, but it is anticipated that the registration process will be open for at least four months.
5. All completed application forms must be submitted by 14 February 2011.
6. If you have been shortlisted to attend an interview, we will email you inviting you to attend an interview. Our planned interview dates are from May to August 2011.
7. Those applicants offered Ambassador roles will be invited to training across the early part of 2012.
8. Successful applicants will have to attend three full-day training sessions in the first six months of 2012.
9. London Ambassadors will work five-hour shifts, across six consecutive days during Games time.
10. All graduates from the Personal Best scheme will be guaranteed an interview.
11. This programme is being supported by all the key volunteer organisations (Volunteer England, V, YouthNet) as well as by the RNIB and Mencap.
12. For people who have not got access to an Internet at home please visit your local library to go online. If people would like help in registering they should contact their local Volunteer Centre who have trained staff to help. In addition both the RNIB and Mencap will help people with sight or learning difficulties and they should be contacted directly

Press information is available from Helen Collier in the Mayor’s Press Office on 020 7983 4020 or by emailing Helen.Collier@london.gov.uk. For non-media enquiries call the Public Liaison Unit at the Greater London Authority on 020 7983 4100. For out-of-hours media enquiries, please call 020 7983 4000.