This week is Volunteers Week, and Grand Central is calling for more volunteers to help it widen its ambassador network.

The Grand Central Station Ambassador Programme was first launched in the North East at Hartlepool and Eaglescliffe stations, it was then launched in Brighouse in 2014.

These days, more than 60 volunteers work with Grand Central to respond to passenger queries.

The ambassador’s man stations on a Sunday. They talk to passengers and assist with any problems they might have. The train operating company is keen to get ambassadors at Mirfield, which sees four trains a day to London on Sunday.

Are you interested? Please contact [email protected]

What did the officials say?

Paul Stevenson, Grand Central’s ambassador coordinator, says:

“Volunteering on the railway gives our ambassadors a sense of belonging both to the company and the locality. They are doing something towards a green agenda, encouraging rail travel and because GC’s reputation is good they can take pride in being part of an industry leader.”

Though Grand Central’s original purpose was originally to engage with local communities through a scheme that filled the gap in staff presence at stations on Sundays, says Sean English, Grand Central’s chief operating officer:

“When the volunteer network grew, we realised the ambassadors serve as our eyes and ears to all things local.” The other benefits can be easily measured, says English, “it provides enhancement to the customer experience through highly committed, passionate and knowledgeable community-based champions who go that extra mile.” The ambassadors fly the flag for their communities ensuring visitors return, and, says English, “they act as the voice of the customer so we can continually improve,” not to mention proving invaluable in times of disruption.

Up at Sunderland Station, Grand Central is also aiming to introduce a youth volunteer scheme with its partner homeless charity Centrepoint. Says English:

“The scheme will essentially offer the same level of service as other stations but the target volunteers will be youth who have perhaps been supported by Centrepoint now or in the past. We really want to provide an opportunity for young people to undertake some meaningful training and development that ideally will support them getting into employment and, of course, station users at Sunderland will see and enhancement to the service GC can provide.”

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