Know the region well? Retired but feel like a fresh challenge? Lauren Mentjox finds an opportunity to put your skills to good use.
Here's a chance to show how proud you are to be an Aucklander. The search is on for friendly, outgoing retired people with a basic knowledge of Auckland to become volunteer city guides.
Thirty people are needed for the WiSE Guides pilot project from August until October.
The project was developed by seven young Aucklanders on the Committee for Auckland's Future Leaders scheme.
The aim is to "create additional worthwhile opportunities for retired Aucklanders to contribute positively to Auckland communities". It should also make the city more visitor-friendly.
The future leaders - Brigid McDonald, Clay Hawke, Chris Jewell, Natasha Alley, Ivan Bartley, Ben van Delden and Craig Brown - have teamed up with Tourism Auckland, which will contribute towards the cost of supporting a volunteer manager and volunteers' uniforms and travel subsidies.
Initially, WiSE Guides will be based in the central city close to Tourism Auckland's i-sites, such as at SkyCity and the Viaduct, where they will be rostered to "work" two three-hour shifts a week. Their mission will be to give directions, answer questions, share their knowledge of the city and generally have a yarn with tourists and visitors to Auckland.
Mr Jewell, a commercial manager for Mighty River Power, says the group is looking for real Aucklanders who may have a story to tell. "Going somewhere is all about the people you meet rather than what you see," he says. "It's about enhancing visitors' experience."
The future leaders' goal is "primarily about reconnecting people with the community who have a lot to offer who are not working". But further, Mr Jewell says tourists will warm to older people.
If the project is successful, a wider pool of people may be recruited, especially as the
unemployment rate is expected to rise in the next year.
Mr Jewell says the group would like to see WiSE Guides grow and develop into an organisation that helps during key events, including the World Cup.
It is also hoped that the WiSE Guides will become internationally recognised as rewarding for volunteers and a great service for those requiring them.
Heart of the City, which represents Auckland businesses, already employs people as Auckland City Ambassadors. But Mr Jewell says the amabassadors scheme is more business-focused than WiSE Guides and mostly involves younger people.
More info: ph 021 324 776 or 4453 579, or email christopher.jewell@mightyriver.co.nz
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