At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome visitors and serve delicious café treats while providing top-notch customer service.
- Company: Join Freedom Leisure, a leading charitable leisure trust focused on community well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, training, paid leave, and potential career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to thrive and grow within the team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while having fun and meeting new people.
- Qualifications: Passion for customer service; barista experience is a plus but not required.
The predicted salary is between 12.71 - 12.71 £ per hour.
Description
Join the Energy at Freedom Leisure – Do Good Feel Good!
At Freedom Leisure, we’re all about positive vibes, great people, and making a real impact.
Yes, we run leisure and cultural facilities, gyms, and swimming pools - but at the heart of it all, it’s our people who make the difference.
As one of the UK’s leading charitable leisure trusts, we’re proud of our mission: Improving Lives Through Leisure.
We’re here to help communities live healthier, happier lives by making our centres welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to everyone—because everyone deserves to feel good.
We’re all about delivering amazing customer service with a smile—every single day.
We create spaces where people feel at home, supported, and inspired.
If you’re passionate about helping others and love creating great experiences, you’ll feel right at home with us.
You don’t need to be an expert to get started - we’ll give you all the training and support you need.
With over 130 centres across England and Wales, there’s loads of room to grow.
Many of our team have built amazing careers doing what they love, helping customers day-to-day and making people feel good - one smile at a time
We’re proud to be a workplace where everyone is welcome, valued, and supported to thrive - because when our team reflects the communities we serve, we all grow stronger together.
This is your place, this is where you matter.
About the Role
We are looking for an enthusiastic, approachable, and customer-focused
Reception & Café Assistant to join our front-of-house team.
In this dual role, you’ll be the first point of contact for our customers – providing a warm welcome at reception and delivering excellent service in our café.
If you enjoy working with people and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Customer Service & Reception
- Welcome all visitors with a smile in a friendly and professional manner.
- Handle enquiries, bookings and memberships face-to-face, online and by phone.
- Accurately operate booking, till and membership systems.
- Provide up-to-date information on centre facilities, classes and promotions.
- Maintain a tidy, inviting reception area and ensure high standards of presentation.
- Café & Retail Service
- Prepare and serve hot and cold drinks, including barista-style coffee.
- Offer a range of light snacks and pre-packaged food items.
- Always ensure compliance with food hygiene and health & safety standards.
- Replenish café stock and vending machines as required.
- Keep café spaces clean, well-organised and customer friendly.
- Teamwork & Operational Support
- Work as part of a collaborative, multi-skilled team.
- Support the delivery of events and activities within the centre.
- Follow Freedom Leisure’s policies on safeguarding, health & safety and customer care.
- Participate in relevant training and ongoing professional development.
Please note: If a high volume of suitable applications is received, we may close this vacancy earlier than advertised. Early applications are encouraged.
Requirements
We’re looking for someone who is
- Passionate about delivering outstanding customer service.
- Comfortable using till systems and handling cash/card payments.
- Barista experience is desirable but training can be provided.
- Able to multitask and remain calm in a busy environment.
- A proactive, flexible and reliable team player.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Previous experience in a customer-facing role in leisure, fitness or community service settings.
- Hospitality or Retail experience delivering customer excellence.
Benefits
We want you to love coming to work, feeling healthy, happy and valued. That's why we've developed a benefits package with you in mind, so what can we offer you?
- Flexible working hours
- Training and development provided
- Paid annual leave
- Fun and busy environment
- Discounted Staff Membership
- Potential permanent work opportunities
- Opportunities to build an exciting career
- Rewarding role supporting health & fitness in the community
Freedom Leisure is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Reception & Café Assistant - Casual - Malvern Vale Community Centre employer: Freedom Leisure
Freedom Leisure in Hove is an excellent employer that prioritises outstanding customer service and teamwork, making it a rewarding place to work. With a supportive work environment, employees benefit from professional development opportunities and an attractive benefits package, ensuring that your contributions are valued and recognised. Join us to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to creating memorable experiences for our guests.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Reception & Café Assistant - Casual - Malvern Vale Community Centre
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Freedom Leisure. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Freedom Leisure
Don't be shy about reaching out to Freedom Leisure directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Reception & Café Assistant - Casual - Malvern Vale Community Centre
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Freedom Leisure and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Freedom Leisure
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
