Elmleigh Town Council Volunteer Scheme Introduction

ANNOUNCER: Part 2. You will hear a man who works for Elmleigh Town Council talking to some people who want to join the small town's volunteer scheme. First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 16. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 16.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: Good morning everyone. I'm Steve Wainwright from Elmleigh Town Council, and I organize the town's volunteer scheme. I'm delighted you're all interested in joining the scheme.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: Our volunteers help to create a sense of community among the many people who live in our historic town of Elmleigh, and make residents and visitors feel welcome at local events.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: At first, I'll mention just a few of the activities that volunteers carry out. One is to walk around the town centre streets wearing our volunteer T-shirt.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: Tourists often ask how to get to a particular shop, and they might also be grateful for recommendations about what to visit.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: The town holds a large number of concerts each year, and part of the volunteers' role is to get everyone in the audience to the right place as smoothly as possible.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: You'd be surprised how many people buy tickets then don't check them, and head for the wrong section of the hall.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: Volunteers may get involved with community groups, such as sports clubs or gardeners' associations. Here the volunteers talk about how groups can help each other.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: For instance, a writing group might want to travel to another town to hear a talk by a well known author, but may not know that another club has a coach they could travel in.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: The town produces a monthly magazine, and anyone who lives in the town can send in articles.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: It's free to residents, and is paid for by local businesses. That's the responsibility of the council's advertising department.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: We depend on volunteers though, to find out what people think of events they've attended, and any suggestions they have for the future.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: The volunteers then send a summary to the editors.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: There are a number of clubs for retired people, and every year the council arranges lunch for all the members.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: The volunteers welcome the guests, and when everyone's sitting down and relaxing after the meal, some volunteers put on a show, usually around half an hour of songs and short plays.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: The club members really welcome the chance to chat to the volunteers at these events.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: The town council has a website of course, and volunteers are asked to help by making sure residents know about it.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: It's updated every day with information about future activities, and we want as many people as possible to use it.

ANNOUNCER: Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 17 to 20. Now listen and answer questions 17 to 20.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: Ok, now you know some of the things our volunteers do. I'll go on to some practical matters.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: As you probably know, the town arranges three major festivals every year, and they all depend on a large number of volunteers.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: The Book Festival lasts three days and uses several venues, which all need volunteers.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: More are needed for the music festival, because that lasts a whole week.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: Even more help is required for the science festival. Even though it's only two days long, it involves quite a lot of venues.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: It's a good idea to help at the festival you're most interested in, because you can attend most of the events for free.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: We try to use volunteers who are flexible though, because some festival events are held outdoors, and the weather may affect the size of the audience, and even whether the event can take place.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: So there can be changes at short notice.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: What's essential though, is being able to get on well with other people, and also to deal with someone who's behaving badly.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: Our plan is to get you all working in September, after a week's training starting on the 2nd.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: So we'll be timetabling you for duties the following week from the 9th onward.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: Later, in the week beginning September 23rd, we have a chat with each of you to find out how you feel about being a volunteer, and what extra support you need.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: As a thank you to the volunteers, we arrange an annual event.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: In recent years we've had a party in the town hall, and last year a barbecue in Chamber Park.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: Our forthcoming event is a trip along the canal from here to Dewhurst and back.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: It's on Saturday, September 28th, and if you'd like to attend, you can sign up once you start work.

STEVE WAINWRIGHT: Now, this is the volunteers' T-shirt...

ANNOUNCER: That is the end of part 2. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to part two.