FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a City Guide?
How can I become a City Guide?
Do I get paid?
Is there a uniform?
Which events will I volunteer at?
How frequently are events held?
Can I volunteer with friends?
Is any training provided?
How do I become a team leader?
What is a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check?
I’m organising an event, can City Guides attend it?
What can City Guides add to your event?

What is a City Guide?
City Guides are employees, residents and students of London who volunteer their time to assist at some of the major events that take place in the city. Events in London can stretch the resources of public agencies such as the Police, Transport for London and the council. City Guides support these agencies while providing an extra customer service resource. So far it has proved to be highly successful as a customer service and mobile tourist information resource, enabling thousands of visitors to the City to enjoy the event and move in and around the area easily.

How can I become a City Guide?
If you are aged over 16, live, or work in Westminster or feel you have good knowledge of Westminster then you are eligible to become a City Guide. You can fill in an online application form here. We will then contact you with details of upcoming events.

Do I get paid?
No, City Guides is a volunteering project so you won’t receive any payment. We will cover the cost of travel expenses, and provide you with lunch on the day.

Is there a uniform?
Yes, every City Guide is given a uniform to wear at the beginning of each event. The uniform consists of a Red waterproof jacket, or a red t shirt (weather depending!) which has the City Guides logo on the back.

Which events will I volunteer at?
You can choose which events you volunteer at. We will update you regularly with details of upcoming events however it is up to you which ones you choose to attend, depending on your availability. We ask that you attend at least 2 events once you have attended a training day.

How frequently are events held?
During 2010 we will be attending a minimum of 10 events, so roughly 1 a month. Often 2 or 3 events fall in the same month and some events are based around set celebration dates (e.g St Patrick’s Day, Chinese New Year)

Can I volunteer with friends?
Yes, as long as you and your friends have filled in an application form and been accepted onto the scheme, we will always try to place you in a group with friends.

Is any training provided?
All City Guides are invited to attend a 1 day training course which will equip you with the necessary skills to be a City Guide. It will also qualify you to become a team leader. Further information on training available can be found here. All City Guides are given a full briefing on the morning of each event, and provided with an information pack to take out with them.

How do I become a team leader?
To become a team leader you must have completed your Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, and must have attended at least 2 events. Team leaders must also have attended the 1 day training course for City Guides.

What is a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check?
The CRB check provides access to criminal record and other relevant information to employers and licensing authorities in England and Wales. The results of the checks carried out by the CRB help organisation’s make more informed decisions when recruiting people to volunteer with children and the vulnerable. Through the Disclosure service, organisations can ensure greater protection for the vulnerable members of our society and afford greater protection to their customers, staff, volunteers and ultimately their organisation. City Guides are constantly interacting with members of the public, and team leaders may be responsible for other team members who are under 18, or vulnerable adults therefore a CRB check is essential.

I’m organising an event, can City Guides attend it?
City Guides are available to attend large scale events across Westminster. If you can provide us with details of your event, then we would be happy to look into whether we can assist at your event. Please contact us here for further information.

What can City Guides add to your event?
Each City Guide has local knowledge of the area and can provide an essential customer service role in directing people to the event arena, helping them leave the area easily at the end of the event, and providing local facility information. The City Guides team can work with event organisers to determine the best use of the volunteers’ time and the numbers of volunteers required. Each City Guide has completed a full training programme and passed Criminal Bureau Checks (CRB). A number of City Guides are first-aid trained. Please note that City Guides are NOT able to provide a stewarding function.