WEEKENDS ONLY - Visitor Welcome Volunteer

Weekends are our busiest times at Wimpole and with visitor numbers set to grow, we need volunteers on Saturdays and Sundays to ensure that they receive the warmest possible welcome and all the information they need to enjoy their day.

Working alongside the staff in our welcome centre, you will be vital point of first contact for all visitors. You might also find yourself driving our mobility buggy (training provided),welcoming visitors to the Gardens at our Garden Gate or acting as roving source of information as a Wimpole Ambassador.

By getting involved, you could

• Become part of a friendly, dedicated, and enthusiastic team
• Meet people from all walks of life and make new friends
• Use and develop your communication skills to help people feel at home
• Enjoy new experiences and learn something new every day
• Help other people enjoy their visit to Wimpole as much as you do

What's involved?

• Meeting and greeting
• Checking tickets
• Giving directions
• Answering questions about Wimpole and the Trust as a whole
• If you sign up to the Wimpole Ambassador rota, acting as a roving information point for our visitors
• If you wish and after training, driving our mobility buggy to help less able visitors get around the Estate (full driving licence required)

You’ll become familiar with Wimpole – what’s where and what’s happening. For example: you’ll be able to direct visitors to the café, advise them when pig feeding is, and tell them what the best route is to get to the Folly. In time, you’ll be able to answer questions about our charitable messaging and the aims of the National Trust. You won’t know the answer to everything, but you will know where best to find that answer.

On quiet autumn afternoons you’ll have lots of time to stop and chat and on busy Bank Holidays, you’ll be adept at a friendly greeting and managing the movement of large volumes of people.

You will find out what is happening at Wimpole, and our other local properties so that you can promote the Trust, and encourage people to join, as well as advise on what is happening that day.

If things go wrong, you’ll know what to do! An important aspect to this role is as a point of emergency contact for visitors. You’ll be calm in a crisis and summon the appropriate assistance for lost children and first aid on your radio. You’ll develop a good working knowledge of our relevant Health & Safety policies and be confident dealing with fire, evacuation and accident procedures

We attract a diverse group of visitors, from tiny tots to the very elderly. You’ll be aware of any arrangements for the special needs of disabled or less mobile people and giving help where necessary and advising our visitors on the best routes to take to make the most of their visit.

You’ll be on hand to give other appropriate assistance, as may be reasonably requested.

Please be aware that there will be elements of this role which require working outdoors in all weathers, so we ask that you dress appropriately and comfortably. Also, certain parts may be physically demanding (walking & standing), so if this is something that may be an issue please let us know so we can work together on a solution*

This role will suit you if you are...

• Interested in a varied role love meeting new people
• Cheerful and able to deal with busy periods
• Someone who enjoys being part of a team but is also happy to work alone at times
• A confident and enthusiastic communicator with a strong interest in the Estate
• Able to deliver outstanding customer service
• Supportive of the aims of the aims of the National Trust

Extra information

• We’ll help you get to know Wimpole Estate, how you can help and how you will work with the rest of the team – with induction and training
• We provide equipment to help you do this role well and safely
• We’ll also cover agreed costs of your travel between home and Wimpole Estate