Volunteer opportunity to assist with guided walks around the Royal Docks

Training day, Monday 19th May, 2008 11am to 5pm

Objective of role: to assist tour leader on guided walks around the Royal Docks

Hours required: initially 6 hours for training day ( 11am to 5pm ) then by arrangement, depending on bookings and your availability

Training: On the training day volunteers will go on a two hour guided tour and receive an afternoon of training in public speaking, tour guide techniques and story telling with Bethan Tomlinson, a professional actress and guide at the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace. The training day will be at the University of East London Docklands Campus ( Cyprus DLR)

Task Description:

Three walking trails have been created for walking tours around the Royal Docks at Silvertown, North Woolwich and West Silvertown. Walkers are given mp3 players to hear recordings of dozens of local people who lived and worked in the area. We are organising groups of visitors and local people to go on the walks and need assistants to help guide the groups of walkers.

What will volunteers do?

 Walk with the group on the trail, assist with listening equipment, make sure that the group is safe; if they wish, help to talk to the group about the local area and its history, depending on their experience. They will be accompanied by an experienced walk leader at all times.

This opportunity would suit someone who likes walking (trails are up to two miles long), has an interest in local history or an interest in finding out about it, and someone who is confident enough to converse with people that they have not met before, and occasionally address a group of up to 20 people (training will be given).

Benefits

 - get a certificate for completion of the training day

- gain experience of public speaking in a supportive environment

- learn about local history

- free training with a professional guide and public speaker at the University of East London

- get a free CD pack of three audio trails around the Royal Docks

- travel expenses and lunch will be provided

How do I apply?

Please email project director Toby Butler t.butler@uel.ac.uk with your contact details and brief reasons for wishing to take part.

Cover of the audio trail map booklet