At a Glance
- Tasks: Be a friendly presence for visitors in Wimpole’s stunning Walled Garden.
- Company: Join the National Trust, Europe's largest conservation charity.
- Benefits: Gain experience, meet new people, and have travel costs covered.
- Other info: Flexible shifts available on weekends and Friday afternoons.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact while enjoying a beautiful outdoor setting.
- Qualifications: Enthusiasm for engaging with visitors; no prior horticultural knowledge needed.
We are looking for volunteers to be a friendly presence for visitors in Wimpole’s glorious Walled Garden. No previous horticultural knowledge is required. By getting involved, you could:
- Spend time in the beautiful setting of the Walled Garden
- Help our visitors enjoy their visit to the Walled Garden
- Champion the work of our Gardens team
- Learn more about Wimpole’s historic Gardens
You’d also be joining Europe’s largest conservation charity and the wider National Trust team proudly looking after 780 miles of coastline, over 250,000 hectares of land, over 500 historic houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves.
What's involved?
- Based in the Walled Garden you will create a warm and friendly atmosphere for everyone who visits and give them a reason to return.
- Being a point of contact for visitors e.g. by answering questions, being ready to radio for the mobility buggy or a First Aider.
- Gathering feedback from visitors and making a note of any questions you cannot answer, to be passed on to the Gardens team.
- Full training, an information pack and branded clothing will be provided.
- Responding to the different needs of different visitors, including people with additional access needs.
- Shift times are 10am to 1pm and 1pm to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays and 1pm to 5pm on Fridays. You are welcome to choose morning, afternoon or all day, depending on your availability.
- You will have access to a toilet and break room with tea and coffee making facilities.
- Clocking in and out with the duty manager when you start and finish your shift and abiding by Wimpole’s lone working procedure at all times.
- Being part of a team that may need to adapt and change in response to local needs, National Trust priorities.
We want all our volunteers to feel welcome and to have an equally positive experience when volunteering with us. So, volunteers will:
- Be provided with the necessary induction, training, equipment, and reasonable adjustments to do this role well and safely.
- Be offered expenses to cover agreed travel costs between home and place of volunteering.
- Have remote access to support, news, and rotas via our volunteer website.
This role will suit you if you are:
- Full of enthusiasm and enjoy engaging and inspiring visitors of all ages.
- Someone who loves being around people – you’ll meet a lot each day!
- Interested in Wimpole and its unique character.
- Available at weekends.
All National Trust volunteers will be asked to:
- Respect and uphold the National Trust values whilst volunteering with us.
- Complete training required of all NT volunteers and any role specific training.
- Adhere to relevant policies and processes including safeguarding, health and safety, and equality and diversity.
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.
Wimpole is owned and managed by the National Trust, Europe's largest conservation charity, which looks after beautiful places for everyone, for ever. We are a busy working estate with a Farm, an 18th Century mansion house surrounded by gardens and parkland, with a shop, a second hand books shop, cafes and restaurant. Volunteers support us with our work in all areas of the estate and new opportunities arise all the time.
Walled Garden Ambassador Volunteer (Friday afternoons and weekends only) employer: DeedMob B.V
Contact Detail:
DeedMob B.V Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Walled Garden Ambassador Volunteer (Friday afternoons and weekends only)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Walled Garden and its history before your shift. This way, you can engage visitors with interesting facts and stories, making their experience even more enjoyable!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! Being friendly and approachable is key. Smile, make eye contact, and be ready to help visitors with any questions they might have.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re unsure about something. The Gardens team is there to support you, so keep that radio handy and don’t be shy!
✨Tip Number 4
Make sure to share your experiences on our volunteer website. It’s a great way to connect with other volunteers and learn from each other while also keeping up with any updates or news!
We think you need these skills to ace Walled Garden Ambassador Volunteer (Friday afternoons and weekends only)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm for volunteering and engaging with visitors.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to highlight any relevant experiences or skills that relate to being a Walled Garden Ambassador. Even if you don’t have horticultural knowledge, think about times you've interacted with people or worked in a team!
Show Your Availability: Since this role is all about Friday afternoons and weekends, be clear about when you can volunteer. We appreciate knowing your availability upfront, so we can plan accordingly!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and keep track of everything. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at DeedMob B.V
✨Know the Walled Garden
Before your interview, take some time to learn about Wimpole’s Walled Garden. Familiarise yourself with its history and the types of plants and flowers that grow there. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
As a Walled Garden Ambassador, being friendly and engaging is key. During the interview, express your passion for interacting with visitors and your excitement about being part of the National Trust team. Share any relevant experiences where you've made others feel welcome.
✨Prepare for Visitor Scenarios
Think about potential questions or situations you might encounter while volunteering. For example, how would you assist a visitor with additional access needs? Being ready with thoughtful responses will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and readiness for the role.
✨Ask Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the role or the team. This shows your interest and helps you understand what’s expected. You might ask about the training process or how the team adapts to different visitor needs.