A pair of Dunfermline’s most welcoming faces have been shortlisted for awards.
The news comes as the hunt continues for more volunteers to give a warm cultural greeting to visitors.
The volunteer programme at the Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries’ welcome hub – seen as an essential part of VisitScotland’s five-star rating – is celebrating its first anniversary.
ONFife Cultural Trust has announced two of the hosts are in the running for Fife Voluntary Action awards.
Aberdour’s Matthew Nicholson, 24, is shortlisted for young volunteer while George Raeburn, 70, from Dunfermline, could win the mature volunteer title.
The team of local volunteers, who range in age from 17 to 74 assist with any visitor enquiries about the venue itself or Dunfermline, Fife, and Scotland in general.
Volunteering development officer Lesley Toles said “We have had an excellent response to the welcome hosts, both from local people and visitors – it makes such a difference to be greeted warmly, and to have local volunteers, who take a pride in their town and the venue, on board.
“We want to offer a warm welcome to our visitors seven days a week, so we are looking to recruit up to 20 new welcome hosts to meet and greet our visitors.
“It’s a commitment of a just couple of hours a week and is an opportunity to meet new people and engage with visitors from many different places – it’s very sociable.”
Volunteer Kat McCulloch, 22, from Dunfermline, has been part of the team for several months.
She is currently extending her volunteering with additional training to become a town ambassador, where she will offer welcome orientation walks to visitors.
Kat said: “I enjoy my role as I like meeting all sorts of people, and the atmosphere in DCL&G is great.
“I have been coming to the Carnegie library in Dunfermline since I was tiny, so it’s lovely to be part of it.
“In my new role as a town ambassador, I am excited to be showing people around the town.”
ONFife is holding an information event as part of the volunteer recruitment campaign for Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries from 10am and 2pm on June 12.
For information or to apply, contact Lesley.Toles@onfife.com or 03451 555555 ext 492781.
