Altrincham Hosts, a new community volunteering initiative for Altrincham town centre, will launch next month.

Altrincham Hosts has been modelled on the highly successful Knutsford Hosts initiative, which has been running for three years and is a town-wide 'family' of 85 community volunteers who promote Knutsford and support its many events, organisations and charities.

The founders credit the of success of the initiative with the fact that they are not aligned to any one organisation, and their Hosts can lend a hand to events, causes and activities according to their own time, talents and interests.

Launched by Altrincham Unlimited – Altrincham’s Business Improvement District - Altrincham Hosts will kick off with its first recruitment event at Altrincham Town Hall on Friday, June 23 from 5-7pm.

The launch event will be attended by three well-known local honorary Hosts, who will be actively supporting the initiative. They are Graham Brady, prospective Conservative candidate; Joan Scott, Vice Principal of Trafford College and Matt Colledge, former leader of Trafford Council who was greatly involved in the revival of Altrincham town centre.

Sarah Flannery, the founder of Knutsford Hosts, will also be at the event to offer advice and insight into the scheme.

Katie Bland, BID Manager for Altrincham Unlimited said: "The BID here in Altrincham is committed to supporting positive community engagement, a united spirit and pride in Altrincham.

"We have seen at first-hand how the Knutsford Hosts scheme is a truly inclusive and friendly volunteering group that supports a number of excellent events, organisations and causes.

"The scheme bolsters the Knutsford economy while at the same time gives the Hosts a rewarding and fun experience; it’s a real win-win for local organisations and the volunteers themselves.

“We’re very grateful to our three honorary Altrincham Hosts, Graham Brady, Joan Scott and Matt Colledge for supporting this scheme, and invite as many people as possible to come along and find out more at our launch event on Friday, June 23.”

Knutsford Host founder Sarah Flannery said: "It’s so exciting to see that Altrincham Unlimited is launching Altrincham Hosts.

"Since we launched with the simple but unique idea of having a town-wide resource of community volunteers to promote the town and support our many events, local organisations and charities, we’ve made a huge contribution to our town. It’s a testament to the incredible efforts of our 85-strong team that Altrincham has seen the value of adopting a similar scheme to support their vision of greater community engagement and a reinvigorated local economy. We’re really looking forward to helping them launch Altrincham Hosts."

Graham Brady, prospective Conservative candidate for Altrincham and Sale West said:

“I’m delighted to have been asked to become an honorary Altrincham Host. The evidence from Knutsford is that this is an extremely well-executed scheme, bringing benefit to the local economy and pleasure to the volunteers. If we can attract the same level of enthusiasm here in Altrincham it will be a fantastic resource for the town.”

Joan Scott, Vice Principal of Trafford College said: “The beauty of the Altrincham Hosts scheme is that volunteers can choose the events and activities that interest them, and commit as much or as little time as they are able.

“The Knutsford Hosts have attracted people of all ages, from students to retirees, and it’s that diversity that helps to make the experience fun and rewarding. I’ll certainly be recommending that Trafford College students get involved and help out where they can.”

Matt Colledge, former Leader of Trafford Council, current Chair of the Trafford NHS CCG Board and a member of the Trafford Leisure CIC Board said: “Community is the lifeblood of a successful, vibrant town, and the Altrincham Hosts initiative offers people a fantastic opportunity get involved and really feel like they’re making a tangible contribution to their town. Altrincham has come a long way in the past 5 years and this is another positive step in its revitalisation.”

To find out more about becoming an Altrincham Host please contact Altrincham Unlimited at info@altrinchamunlimited.co.uk or telephone 0161 924 2239.