Kilkenny County Council
Kilkenny Welcome Team
KILKENNY WELCOME TEAM
Call Out for Volunteers
SUMMER 2024
Overview
Kilkenny is already a popular and well-established visitor destination in Ireland and is well placed to be high on the list of places that the domestic and international market chose to visit in 2024. Recognising that a positive visitor experience will create return visitors and help to bolster the local economy, Kilkenny County Council launched the Kilkenny Welcome Team in 2020 as a response to the COVID 19 pandemic, whereby trained volunteers meet and greet visitors, providing a warm Kilkenny welcome along with visitor information they may require.
Kilkenny County Councils Tourism Team based in very positive feedback from the sector have continued with this initiative in subsequent years and will do so again for the summer of 2024.
Visitors often look for information such as opening hours to local attractions, nearby toilet facilities, pharmacists, ATM locations, train and bus times. The Kilkenny Welcome Team are strategically placed at high footfall locations around Kilkenny city to provide this information.
It’s important to note that volunteers do not hand out maps or leaflets. If a visitor wants a map, they are directed to a nearby location where they can easily collect one. Volunteers carry information handbooks for them to refer to. Visitors are also directed to an online source of information which can be accessed through their smart phones, www.visitkilkenny.ie / www.discoverireland.ie
The launch of the Kilkenny Welcome initiative demonstrates the commitment of Kilkenny County Council in supporting the local tourism sector in its endeavour to adapt and maximise the tourism season. This innovative tourism initiative has been developed in association with Kilkenny Tourism, Failte Ireland and the Kilkenny Volunteer Centre.
The Team
Kilkenny is a beautiful city and is a popular visitor destination. The people who volunteer to be part of the Kilkenny Welcome Team will be proud of Kilkenny and want to promote it. They should understand that they are representing Kilkenny and will be committed to providing relevant information in a warm and welcoming manner.
A minimum of 20 volunteers is required to make the programme viable at a basic level.Criteria What type of person would make a good member of the Kilkenny Welcome Team? Volunteers will be over 20 years old and have very good local knowledge. They will speak fluent English. They will participate in all of the training. They will be willing to commit to two shifts per week of three hours per shift.
Recruitment The recruitment campaign 2024 are inviting people to register their interest in becoming part of the Kilkenny Welcome Team via Kilkenny Volunteer Centre, Failte Ireland Tourist Information Office and via Kilkenny County Council @ teamkilkenny@kilkennycoco.ie and at;
https://www.i-vol.ie/volunteer-opportunity/?ID=a00Vh000003NT9J
Volunteers will have to be registered with Volunteer Centre to see the description;
It was agreed that all stakeholders would be key in volunteer recruitment as they are best placed to access people who are interested in volunteering and who would have an interest in their local communities and who will promote all the great things to see and do in Kilkenny.
The recruitment campaign will be short and with a deadline to apply to encourage interested people to act and sign up for the summer months.
Locations The Kilkenny Welcome Teamwill be based at the Tourist Information Office on High Street. Volunteers were asked to arrive at the base to sign in prior to going on duty and to meet up with their “buddy” for each shift. Light refreshments will be provided before/after shifts by local cafes/hotels supporting the initiative.
Volunteer teams of two people were situated in and around the following locations:
| Team Location | Nearest Map / Leaflet Location |
1 | The Parade | Medieval Mile Museum |
2 | Kierans Street | Tourist Information Office |
3 | Parliament Street | Rothe House |
Scheduling It is essential that volunteers are scheduled to work shifts in pairs for safety purposes. The priority days to schedule are Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
First shift: 11am to 2pm Second Shift: 2pm to 5pm
Three teams of two people for each shift = 12 volunteers per day
The schedule needs to be flexible in response to the number of volunteers available.
Training The Kilkenny Welcome Team are representing Kilkenny. It is essential that they provide a genuinely warm welcome, current information, and that they behave in a reassuring manner which leaves a good impression on the visitor.
To be a team member, volunteers must complete the training, which will take in the following three areas:
- Visitor Information
- Code of Conduct
- Familiarisation
Visitor Information Each volunteer will be provided with a basic handbook which contains the type of information that a visitor is likely to be seeking. Nearest toilet facilities Train and bus times to Dublin, Waterford, etc Opening times of visitor attractionsPharmacies ATM machines
Code of Conduct Volunteers on duty are representing Kilkenny. It is essential that they provide a genuine welcome, current information, and that they behave in a manner which leaves a good impression on the visitor. The training will cover the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ while on duty.
Familiarisation Volunteers will be required to go to visitor attractions in Kilkenny so that they can knowledgeably discuss options for visitors if required. These visits can be carried out in their own time. Kilkenny Castle Medieval Mile Museum St. Canice’s Cathedral Smithwick’s Experience Rothe House
The Welcome team launched on the June Bank Holiday Weekend 2024 if sufficient volunteers are recruited to the programme. SIGN UP NOW !!!!
