Team London Ambassadors are hitting the streets of the capital again over the next few weeks, with the return of the Visitor Welcome programme, which proved a big hit with tourists during the London 2012 Games.
Up to 800 specially trained volunteers will have responsibility for assisting visitors and Londoners out sightseeing at 11 famous landmarks, visitor hot spots and travel hubs.
Easily recognisable in their magenta Team London tee shirts, these enthusiastic and knowledgeable individuals will be on hand to provide information about the local area, as well as directing people to transport officials, the police and other services, if they require any special assistance.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “There was an overwhelmingly positive response to the Team London Ambassadors in 2012 and, a year on from the Games, our volunteers have been doing a fantastic job at some of this summer's biggest events. Over the next few weeks they will be out and about bringing the warmest of smiles, as well as the information that visitors need to get the most out of our city.
“We are continuing to build on the momentum of the last year to create an army of volunteers whose knowledge, dedication and joie de vivre are a priceless asset for the capital and our reputation around the world.”
Team London Ambassadors will be stationed in or around specially designed pods at the following locations: Green Park; St James's Park; Covent Garden; Cromwell Road (V&A); Tower of London; Trafalgar Square; Piccadilly Circus; Oxford Street; and Parliament Square.
They will also be posted in the arrivals hall at St Pancras International, as well as the north and south terminals at Gatwick Airport. The Visitor Welcome programme runs until 9 September.
Apart from Gatwick and St Pancras they will be open 11am to 7pm daily.
Veronica Wadley, Senior Advisor for Team London and Volunteering, said: “From major events to working in the local community, Team London volunteers are making a huge difference to the life of our city. There has been a magnificent response by Londoners to our volunteering drive since the Games and it is this enthusiasm and desire to make a positive contribution that we want to build on over the next few years.”