Do you want to get involved in volunteering at The 149th Open, learn new skills with like-minded individuals, and give a warm welcome to Kent? Key partners have launched the exciting new Event Makers programme to promote and coordinate volunteering opportunities as The Open returns to Royal St George's in Sandwich.
The programme follows the success of the 2012 Olympic Games Makers and Portrush’s Greeter Programme at The 148th Open, and the new Event Makers website has now been launched to showcase a whole host of ways for local people to get involved at www.eventmakerskent.co.uk
The website invites prospective volunteer ambassadors to come forward and support your local area by giving your time, helping to welcome people from across the world, and ensure an unforgettable visitor experience to White Cliffs Country and Kent.
The Event Makers programme will provide you with a range of free training opportunities to develop your strengths and support you for your greeter role. The training will also lead to qualifications up to NVQ Level 2, including first aid, volunteering and crowd management.
The 149th Open runs from 12-19 July 2020. Volunteers will be positioned at transport hubs and other key locations away from Royal St George’s to assist with wayfinding, as well as providing useful local information about The Open and how visitors can make the most of their stay beyond the golf.
The Event Makers programme is a joint collaboration between Sporting Events UK, Dover District Council and Dover Technical College, supported by Kent County Council and The R&A.
Cllr Nigel Collor, Dover District Council lead Cabinet Member for The Open said: “We’re delighted to be part of this innovative project, supporting local volunteering, and helping to welcome visitors and support events in the area. Well informed and happy visitors are likely to stay longer and revisit, adding to the local economy. It’s great news this scheme is up and running ahead of The 149th Open.”
Mike Hill, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “KCC has a long and successful track record in supporting and encouraging volunteering activities in local communities and is proud to support this initiative.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for people to learn new skills and make visitors’ experience to The 149th Open and to Kent something they remember fondly for many years to come.”
Barry Hopkins, Director, Sporting Events UK said: “We believe in delivering great events for everyone and fundamental to this is the volunteers who make these events happen. We deliver a large number of events in Kent and are looking forward to creating a volunteering legacy for sporting events in the area. In addition we welcome the opportunity to provide visitors to The 149th Open the very best experience of both the tournament and the local area.”
Nick Holbrook-Sutcliffe, Principal, Dover Technical College, said: “Dover Technical College is pleased to be working with our local partners on this project and we’re particularly excited about the legacy that the volunteering programme will have for Kent long after the success of The 149th Open in Sandwich; bringing communities together with a shared pride in all of the experiences our beautiful county has to offer.”
Posted on 04 March 2020