Front of house volunteer

Would you like to be the welcoming face of our Heritage Centre?

Purpose of the role

Front of House (FoH) volunteers are often the first point of contact for visitors and play a vital role in helping people connect with the history, heritage and stories of Willesden Jewish Cemetery.

FoH volunteers welcome visitors to the Heritage Centre, enhancing the visitor experience by answering questions about the site, helping visitors navigate the cemetery and engaging them in discussion about history, community, memory and the role of cemeteries in society. FoH volunteers also play an essential role ensuring the smooth and safe running of the visitor centre. After an initial training period FoH volunteers will have the opportunity to become Duty Manager volunteers, who will open up and close the Heritage centre, and ensure a safe and enjoyable time for our visitors. During quiet periods FoH volunteers will support the staff team with administrative tasks.

This role will come with a programme of training and is perfect for people who enjoy talking to new people and a passion for sharing the heritage of the site with wider audiences. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds.

Further information

Key responsibilities:

·         Welcome visitors into the Heritage Centre

·         To be friendly and informative

·         To answer visitor questions about the site

·         To assist visitors in locating graves and navigating the site

·         To engage visitors in discussions

·         To understand and implement policies related to security and health and safety

·         Share your enthusiasm for the cemetery, its history and importance

·         To provide administrative support when necessary

What we are looking for:

·         People who are comfortable speaking to a wide variety of people.

·         People who are reliable and vigilant in relation to safety policies.

·         People who are happy to work independently or as part of a team.

·         Confident and engaging communicators able to inspire a variety of audiences.

·         Enthusiasm for learning about the cemetery and its stories.

·         Basic IT skills including Word, Outlook and Excel.

·         A reasonable level of mobility to move around the Heritage Centre and cemetery site.

What’s in it for you?

·         The opportunity to develop your skills in providing a great visitor experience.

·         The opportunity to learn about Jewish history, heritage and culture.

·         Regular training opportunities on a wide variety of topics.

·         Full induction, including a health and safety brief, and ongoing support.

·         The opportunity to meet and share experiences with people from different backgrounds.

·         Travel expenses covered within 10 miles.

·         Refreshments while on site.

·         Free admission to guided walks, talks, and other events at the Heritage Centre.

·         Social events and outings planned exclusively for volunteers.

Shifts

Monday to Thursday 9:30 to 13:30, Sundays 9:30 to 13:00 or 13:00 to 16:15 or the full day. We ask volunteers to be available for roughly two shifts a month as a minimum. You can choose to only sign up for shifts on particular days according to your other commitments. Shifts will include time for a tea break. We are especially interested in volunteers who are available Monday-Thursday.

Line management:

Nomi Willis – Volunteer and Learning Programmes Coordinator

You will also be managed on the day by whichever member of the House of Life team is the duty manager for that day.

How to apply:

If you would like to apply, please request a Volunteer Registration form from heritage@theus.org.uk

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis as applications come in. Interviews will include an informal conversation to help us assess your skills in welcoming visitors to the cemetery.