Volunteers working for Auckland Castle Trust and Kynren efforts are being recognised by local businesses after volunteers Charlie Scott King and Cllr Joy Allen helped secure a range of local discounts from twenty-five leisure, retail, hotel, restaurant and coffee shop businesses.
The volunteers are mainly drawn from a variety of towns and villages across County Durham and Darlington and this is recognised by the range of participating businesses from Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor, Wynyard, Darlington and Durham.
The participating businesses recognise the value of the volunteer pound and the new scheme provides them with an ideal opportunity to attract volunteers as individuals or groups to their premises.
Charlie Scott King, who is ‘World Host’ and ‘Welcome to Durham’ trained, works locally as an administrator for David Scott & Co Accountants. She set up the scheme in 2016 and this year is building on the success of the initiative.
She said: “The scheme was to build on the name and essence of Kynren as a legacy of friendship and family.
“It was to interlink and bring together the Kynren community with local business and work together to create a symbiotic relationship.”
The volunteers themselves are helping to boost the local economy, increase footfall and attract tourists from all parts of the country and since the opening of Kynren last year the number of international visitors has increased significantly.
This trend is set to continue as visitor numbers are expected to rise with the opening of the Welcome Building and Mining Art Gallery later this year.
Councillor Joy Allen, herself a Kynren volunteer said: “Bishop Auckland is fast becoming a destination town and volunteers are playing a vital role in the regeneration and revitalisation of Bishop Auckland and the surrounding areas.
“Many of the volunteers have successfully completed World Host training which has equipped them with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver excellent customer service and achieve high levels of visitor satisfaction.
“This discount scheme is a fantastic local initiative which recognises the value of local volunteers who are happy to give up some of their valuable time to put Bishop Auckland on the map.
“Volunteers range from 5- to 80-years-old so there are a whole host of offers available, including discounts on meals, accommodation, garden centres, children’s afternoon teas, football season tickets, shops and hairdressing.
Becci Nye from Fiftes Vintage Tearooms said: “It was a great joy supporting the volunteers last year who were so full of expectation of the unknown. We are equally honoured to do the same this year and see their vibrancy and excitement and how far they have come on their journey.”
Nick Postma, Director Bishop Auckland Football Club said: “The football club is keen to participate in a scheme which recognises the commitment the Kynren volunteers are making in ensuring the success of this event.”
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
