No. If you are short-listed, you must attend a recruitment event in order to be selected to be a London Ambassador.

The recruitment events will be held at the following ten Volunteer Centres around London:

Barking and Dagenham
Camden
Croydon
Ealing
Enfield
Greenwich
Kensington & Chelsea
Merton
Tower Hamlets
Westminster

If you miss the start of your session, we will try to find a place for you in the next session. If you’re unable to wait until the start of the next session, or if we’re unable to fit you in, you will need to call us on 0844 888 9187 and we will try to re-schedule you an alternative session in the future.

You must bring the following identification with you – if you don’t bring the correct ID, you won’t be able to take part in the recruitment event, and will be asked to re-schedule your session.

UK nationals:

Passport (not a photocopy) or UK driving licence photo card (paper counterpart will not be accepted).

Please note: photocopies won't be accepted.

UK nationals without a passport or photocard driving licence:

Young people (under 18)

Long form birth certificate (issued within 12 months of date of birth), and a certified photo as well as one of the following, which must contain either your address or your parent/guardian’s address:

• EMA letter

• student loan letter/grant entitlement

• letter from your place of education

• benefits letter

Direct.gov.uk offers some useful information on who can certify your photo.

Adults (18 and over)
Long form birth certificate (issued within 12 months of date of birth), and a certified photo as well as one of the following, which must contain your address and be dated within the past three months:

• bank statement

• utility bill

• benefits letter

Direct.gov.uk offers some useful information on who can certify your photo.

EEA nationals:

Passport or European Identity Card

Non-EEA nationals:

Passport, with current visa valid until 8 November 2012.

Long form birth certificates are issued at birth when the parent registers the birth of their child.
 
Copies are available from https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/default.asp.

There are also numerous private companies who can source a copy of your long form birth certificate (at a charge).
 
Each long form birth certificate issued is actually a certified copy of an entry from the register of births, which is held by the local Register office and at the General Register Office, Southport, pursuant to the Births and Deaths Registration Act of 1953. The long form certificate is an exact copy of the entry, showing the child's surname, forename(s), date of birth, sex, place of birth, the parent(s) name(s), their address and occupations at the time of registration. Full certificates are required for most legal purposes.

In addition, one can obtain a 'short form' birth certificate, which is an abstract of the original entry and only includes the surname, forename(s), date of birth, sex, registration district and sub-district in which the birth took place.

You won't be able to take part in the recruitment event, and will be asked to re-schedule your session to another time.

Recruitment events are only open to those who have been invited to attend. Friends and family won't be allowed into the venue, or to wait for you inside the venue. If you need to be accompanied by a support worker or translator, please call us on 0844 888 9187.

If you're under 16, we recommend that you are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Your parent/guardian will be able to wait inside the recruitment venue.

Yes, you are free to withdraw from the programme at any stage. However, you should think carefully before applying to be a London Ambassador if you think you're likely to withdraw, as this will impact upon the other London Ambassadors in your team.

• You need to be 16 or over on 1 January 2012. You must be eligible to volunteer in the UK in accordance with immigration rules; and agree to undergo the required background checks to ensure the integrity and security of the London Ambassadors programme. 
• Non EEA nationals currently in the UK wishing to volunteer must also hold a valid visa allowing them to  undertake voluntary activity in the UK, up to and including 8 November 2012.
• All volunteers will need to secure their own accommodation throughout the Games time, however zone 1-6 travel will be provided on the days you volunteer    
• If you are a UK National, you must hold a valid passport or driving licence (photo card and paper counterpart)*; EEA Nationals must hold a valid passport or National Identity Card; and for non-EEA nationals, a valid passport.
• You must ensure that you have the legal right to volunteer in the UK. We cannot assist with visa applications. 

^* If a UK citizen does not have either of these valid documents, then a long form Birth Certificate will be accepted. It must be issued within 12 months of date of birth. A bank statement and utility bill will also be needed in the applicant's name, both issued to the applicant's current address and less than 3 months old.  If an applicant is not able to provide an appropriate bank statement and utility bill they must instead provide a certified passport photograph to accompany their long form birth certificate.  A list of persons authorised to certify an applicant's passport photograph is available upon request. 

If you are considering volunteering from outside London, please see the 'Do I have to live in London to be a London Ambassador' FAQ below.

No, but you'll need to be passionate about London and be available to attend an interview in spring/summer of 2011 and three separate training sessions that will take place from January to June 2012 in London.

No. We want London Ambassadors to be a mix of new and experienced volunteers.

Unfortunately, asylum seekers are not permitted to volunteer for the London Ambassadors programme. However, refugees - or those who have been granted Humanitarian Protection - can volunteer while their leave remains valid. Find out more at www.homeoffice.gov.uk.

Volunteering is about making a contribution and being involved. Being a London Ambassador is about welcoming the world to London and sharing your passion for the capital. London Ambassadors will have the opportunity to be a part of history, to make new friends and to create a legacy of volunteering in London.

In addition, London Ambassadors will be given:

• free travel within zones 1-6 for each day you volunteer
• food and refreshments during your shift (£5 per day)
• a uniform, which you can keep
• a PDA to use while you're volunteering
• fantastic training.

Find out more about the benefits of being a London Ambassador.

Questions about claiming benefits and volunteering often come up. Find out about volunteering and benefits.

London Ambassadors will welcome visitors to London during the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

See what a day in the life of a London Ambassador could involve.

Yes, you should be. In rare circumstances we may ask London Ambassadors to move between sites.