Community Coventry Ambassadors

Coventry Ambassadors is a local volunteer programme that was inspired by London 2012. This programme enabled local people to act as Ambassadors to welcome the world to the city and is continuing as a real legacy. Following the success of the Olympic Games Coventry Ambassadors have continued to volunteer in various roles at local, national and international events.

The volunteer programme is a key Olympic Legacy for the City with engagement at Organising Committee level for Tokyo 2020, presenting Coventry Ambassador’s as a best practice model for Olympic Legacy volunteering.

What are Community Coventry Ambassadors?

Our Community Ambassadors are experienced and committed volunteers involved in a variety of additional roles and task groups with an aim to provide increased benefit within the community and towards our services such as media, training and inclusion while providing a collective voice for EnV Volunteers.

Community Ambassadors help to promote and encourage volunteering, actively helping to ensure accessibility for all by supporting a wide and diverse community reach throughout our opportunities.

The City Hosts provided wonderful help and support during The Albany Theatre’s run of A Christmas Carol. They were excellent throughout each shift and worked together with our own volunteers in a collaborative and friendly way. Each City Host welcomed our audience members in a friendly and warm manner and worked well to quickly learn our health and safety procedures. Thank you so much to everyone who signed up and we hope to see you again soon.

Julia McCaughley – Albany Theatre

I would also like to pass my huge thank on to the volunteers. Both community organisations have commented on how fantastic the digital champions are, and without a doubt, their contribution has made life changing differences to the people they have supported.

Laura Waller – Coventry City Council

From myself they were brilliant supporting Arnold Clarke Cup, all of the volunteers were really engaging and I could see through the briefing they really wanted to be there. They asked plenty of questions to ensure they were fully equipped with the necessary information to assist supporters coming to the stadium. Once the briefing was completed, they all went and checked the stadium footprint to make sure they were fully aware of the layout and where all the places we had discussed were located. The support the leads gave to the rest of the volunteers was great to see as well.

Sean Cockerton – CBS Arena

Thank you all so much for all of your support! The city hosts were absolutely AMAZING! And were an absolute pleasure to work with, they were incredibly well organised as well and we loved having their support at Glow I’m glad that the city hosts enjoyed it and that they felt supported Thank you both so much as well for all of your work on this, it was incredibly well organised and the fact that there were team leaders and super team leaders was incredibly helpful!

James Chalker – Myton

I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you and your team for helping us out on Armed Forces Day. It is a very important event in our annual calendar and it is so helpful to be able to rely on people to help out with putting the chairs out, being alert to potential issues and generally ensuring that people enjoy the event. Your input and that of the volunteers is really appreciated and I would be grateful if you could pass on my thanks to them. I do hope that they enjoyed it.

Julie Wheeler – Coventry City Council

Thanks so much for inviting the Coventry Young Ambassadors to the Sports Week. We all had a fantastic day and it was great to meet the VIPs, visitors from Japan and all the families who stopped by at our stand. The children felt really proud to be there. (Coventry Primary School Teacher)

Coventry Young Ambassadors

Thanks so much for arranging all the training yesterday. It was really successful and I feel that we can now get properly started with the children. (Coventry Primary School Deputy Head Teacher)

Coventry Young Ambassadors

Many, many thanks for organising all the training yesterday. It was really successful and the children made a lot of progress. It was great to have the Ambassadors leading the sessions. Please pass on my thanks for their hard work and for inspiring so many young people. Rebecca Bollands (Deputy Head, Howes Primary)

Coventry Young Ambassadors

The young ambassadors were very good, making good choices and having clear ideas on what skills are needed to be an ambassador. It was very satisfying to see how quickly they became more confident and made new friends. (Dawn, Coventry Ambassador Volunteer)

Coventry Young Ambassadors

The Coventry Ambassador Volunteers are a fine example of legacy that can be gained through great events like the Olympics. Whenever I see Abassador Volunteers at occasions,competitions and celebrations that I attend I know that I'll always be well advised, directed, informed and welcomed with a smile.

Cllr Linda Bingham, Mayor of Coventry

Mayor Cllr Linda Bigham

We truly appreciated your presentation and all the advices. We would like to make the most of what we have learned from you as we proceed. Let us once again express our gratitude for sharing your experience and expertise. Sincerely yours, Ayako Kamimura (on behalf of Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Preparation Office)

Tokyo 2020

Would you please pass on Coventry Rugby Club's appreciation to all your Ambassadors for the ( always) positive and welcoming input they -each and everyone of them- made to todays "special event" at the Butts Park Arena. John Mcguigan, Coventry Rugby Club

Coventry Rugby Club

It all was seamless. And particular thanks to the volunteer helpers - in the pink jackets. I thought they were an excellent advertisement for the city, cathedral and university. They were unfailingly good-humoured - a really great asset. Roger MacGinty, Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Manchester

Roger MacGinty

I am just writing to sincerely thank you and all of the Coventry Ambassadors for all of your amazing contribution to the visit for European City of Sport 2019 last week. The judges enjoyed taking a look around the city centre, and were impressed with the 2012 volunteer legacy. Without partners like yourselves we would not have been able to deliver such an amazing schedule, so thank you for all you support and commitment. Jonathan Hunt, Development Manager Sport & Active Recreation, Coventry City Council

Jon Hunt

“Great Event. Great Team of Ambassadors. No feedback other than they are amazing” Wendy Jackson, CV Life, Children’s Mile, Coventry Half Marathon

Wendy Jackson

I would just like to say a huge thank you to you and the volunteers for helping to deliver Sunrise. They were a pleasure to work with and quite frankly we wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without them. Asha Eade-Green, Arts & Events Manager, Coventry Cathedral.

Coventry Cathedral

Hi David. Many, many thanks for organising all the training yesterday. It was really successful and the children made a lot of progress. It was great to have the Ambassadors leading the sessions. Please pass on my thanks for their hard work and for inspiring so many young people. Rebecca Bollands (Howes Primary)

Coventry Young Ambassador Training

the tours were perfect, and on a personal note I really enjoyed it. I think I could have followed you round for days and learnt so much. It was clear to see that all of the ambassadors were highly passionate about the city and enjoyed meeting people and sharing their knowledge….. thank you also for arranging some sunshine for the tour too! Jo Bishop, Operations Manager, Centre for Business in Society, Faculty of Business and Law, Coventry University.

Welcome Walk

It was great as ever to see the Ambassadors at the event. We really appreciate the enthusiasm and local knowledge they bring, which really adds to the events they support. Richard Smith, Transport and Infrastructure, Place Directorate, Coventry City Council

Richard Smith Coventry City Council

We cannot thank you enough. We honestly could not have made the event the huge success it was without you, so again, thank you so much for giving up your Sunday and being part of the HSBC UK Let’s Ride series! What an event this was and busy ALL day long, with over 10,500 participants! Again, Thank you from the whole team at HSBC UK Let's Ride, we really hope to see you all again next year! Kate Halliday, British Cycling- HSBC UK Let's Ride Volunteer Manager

HSBC Let’s Ride

Dear David & the Coventry Ambassadors. Thank you so much for your work on Home by yourself and the Ambassadors team! We really appreciated the hard work of the Ambassadors on the night, making sure that the audiences had a fantastic event - so thank you for being a part of the team that made Home a success! Many thanks, Zoe Drinkwater / Company Administrator

Zoe Drinkwater – Home

Hi David, Thank you to you and your ambassadors for their hard work on Where Light Falls. It made all the difference having dedicated and friendly people welcoming the public. Olivia Bright, Cultural Programme Assistant, Historic England

Historic England

I would like to thank you, Nathan and your team of Ambassadors for excellent support at the School Games Festival on Friday. We really couldn’t have done it without you! The Senior Ambassadors were great again and also enabled us to gather individual Participant/Teacher/Volunteer feedback in the afternoon, which we will collate and share. The Young Ambassadors, lining the entrance ways, were fab again and great to see so many this year. It gave the participants a great buzz as they entered the games venue. The Youth Ambassadors were a great addition and a credit to their College. They were fully engaging and willing to do anything we asked of them. Please pass on my gratitude to all involved. Tracy Murphy, Think Active.

Tracy Murphy – Think Active

I firmly believe in the value of the service the Ambassadors offer and have been proud to watch the scheme expand over the past five years. Also, I have derived considerable personal satisfaction from being a part of it and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to participate both in 2012 and beyond.

Coventry Ambassador

David. You may recall me from the Coventry Half Marathon in May, where I was one of the volunteers stationed at the end of the post-finish funnel by the rewards table. Firstly I would like to say a big thank you to you and your colleagues from EnV for co-ordinating the volunteers’ roles on the day and contributing to the day running so smoothly. It was a pleasure to help at the event and thank you also for your support and answering my many questions! Damian Bradley – Coventry Half Marathon Volunteer

Coventry Half Marathon Ambassador

Hi David, It's a great pity that I have left Coventry as I completed my master programme at Warwick uni, and am not sure when I will get back, however, joining Coventry Ambassador is the best bit about my life in Coventry and thank you David for organizing such a vibrant team!
Best regards, Yujing Zhang (Zoe)

Coventry Ambassador – Zoe

I have been able to do things behind the scenes which has been of benefit to my career and social skills. EnV sees your potential and rewards the time you spend; it really is unique in that.”

Coventry Ambassador

“Now an important part of my life giving it more purpose and new experiences as a retired person. I am using my transferable skills as a teacher to train recruits, talk to strangers, contribute to the newsletter, encourage people to participate, etc. 5 years on and still loving it.”

Coventry Ambassador

“It's made me a much rounder person, who now can do anything I put my mind too. Having a good role model is very important in life, lots of other Ambassadors inspire you too in being that person.”

Coventry Ambassador

It was such an honour to represent my city as a Coventry Ambassador at this historic event not only in remembrance of WW1 but the fact it was a royal visit attended by HRH Duke of Cambridge
It was a great event one of the best since the Olympics . We all had a super time.

Centenary Fields / VIP Visit

From our volunteers

Hi David
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the Rugby Youth Festival, one of the best yet. Being so involved in the whole event really made for a great volunteering experience, I felt our input was valued.
The organisation was excellent -- Well Done

Sund Ali

Coventry Ambassador Volunteer

The Ambassadors yesterday were absolutely amazing. Each and everyone went beyond what they were briefed to do - we wouldn’t have been ready in half the time if it wasn’t for their extra efforts. Please pass on my enormous thanks to them.
Best wishes, Jane

Principal Private Secretary to the Lord Mayoralty, Coventry City Council

Ms Jane E Barlow

Many thanks for your support in recruiting and managing the Ambassadors and extra volunteers, which made the event possible and really added to the event. Please pass on my personal thanks to them all for their contribution to a successful event.

Richard Smith, Cycle Coventry Smarter Choices Coordinator, Coventry City Council

Sky Ride Coventry 2015

The Coventry Ambassadors we had on both days were excellent, they were only too happy to help with any task I asked of them and did it with a smile, great ambassadors for Coventry indeed.
Regards

Paul Smith, Relationship Manager, England Hockey

CSW Summer School Games Event 2015

Thank You for your contribution to the CSW Summer School Games

On behalf of CSW Sport and the School Games Organisers I would like to thank you for your valued contribution to the summer School Games events last week at the University of Warwick.

Overall the competitions went really well and all the young people attending appeared to have a good time.

Audrajean Elliott-Davies | CSW Sport Development Officer

CSW Summer School Games Event 2015

I just wanted to ask if you could pass on our thanks to your Ambassadors for their time yesterday. It was a very successful event and couldn’t have gone as smoothly without their help and friendly approach in directing delegates to the right building.

Best regards,
Mariama

Mariama Njie

CUSE Social Enterprise Mark event

A very moving experience. Very well organised. Really made to feel that we mattered.

The event itself made me feel proud and a bit emotional as it brought back childhood memories. The reception was something else as well and it felt good to be appreciated by High Commanders and the Lord Mayor plus others. I left with a warm fuzzy feeling. It was very well organised as well. Thanks for the opportunity.

I was very pleased to be at the heart of the event. It rates as one of the best events we have been part of. Being invited to the reception at the cathedral made us feel valued and part of the event. Being thanked by various parties was especially important to us. We get individual people thanking us but this time the thanks were public. It was also an opportunity for us to meet together as a group. A brilliant day.

HMS Diamond Parade

From our volunteers

This event was well managed and several members of the public commended the volunteers on their work and said how nice it was to see us.
This was very much a 'reactive' event, doing whatever was asked without any strict format. It worked really well, and there was an excellent atmosphere.

Irish President Visit

From our volunteers

The Ambassadors have been a great asset to the Wasps match day staff – friendly, helpful and polite

James Wootton

Corporate Sales Manager, Wasps

David
Just wanted to ensure the ambassadors receive my BIG THANK YOU for their work on Wednesday – it was a bit manic with thousands of people but as always they did us proud.
Best wishes
Lee House

Lee House

Senior Event Officer (Christmas Lights Switch On)

I was extremely touched when a gentleman asked me whether it was okay to walk in support of himself. It was wonderful to see people who were affected by dementia/alzheimer's supporting the cause. It was a very humbling experience. I enjoyed every minute.

Memory Walk

From our volunteers

I write to formally thank the Coventry Ambassadors for helping us at the Junior Festival last weekend. The team of volunteers led by Sheila did a fantastic job and helped us in many areas - parking, kitchen, pitch management and festival administration, and without them the day would not have run as smoothly and successfully as it did.

Nigel Clews

Junior Chair, Old Coventrians RFC

Hi David,
Just wanted to say thank you for your support last week regarding Coventry Sports Week and if Hillzfm community radio station can support EnV in any capacity we would welcome the opportunity again, it was a fantastic experience for us all.

Raymond Reid

Hillz FM

Thank you to you and your teams for service and support yesterday at the sky ride.
Overall we were extremely pleased, reaching 8,000 participants (our target was 6,000) and have had many positive comments so far from those that took part.
Everything going on around the Council House seemed to work extremely well, and thanks to the Ambassadors people were easily working out where they should go.
We will be doing a feedback and lessons learnt again, so will get in touch to check whether there were any problems you had to deal with.
A great day and many thanks for all your teams input.

Samantha Tharme

Cycle Coventry Programme Manager

I thoroughly enjoyed this event, it was one of the best Coventry has put on it goes to show get the right event and Coventry is buzzing... Keep them coming David I always have a great time.

Sky Ride

From our volunteers