Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome visitors, provide information, and ensure a positive experience at Raby Castle.
- Company: Raby Estates manages Raby Castle, aiming to be a top visitor attraction in the North.
- Benefits: Enjoy free admission to attractions, social events, and a supportive volunteer community.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team, learn about history, and make lasting memories for visitors.
- Qualifications: Outgoing personality, confidence in engaging with the public, and a love for history.
- Other info: Opportunities for future volunteering across the estate and regular social events.
Overview
Overview Of Raby Estates
Raby Castle near Staindrop has been the home of the Vane family for generations and is open to visitors. Lord and Lady Barnard seek to develop the Castle and grounds so that it becomes one of the foremost visitor attractions in the North.
Location: Raby Castle
Department: Leisure and Tourism
Employment Basis: Voluntary
The Raby Estate comprises substantial landholdings and trading operations including in-house farms, let farms and residential property, along with sporting enterprises across Estates in Co Durham and Shropshire. We also have visitor attractions at Raby Castle, High Force Hotel and Waterfall in Upper Teesdale and The Wrekin in Shropshire. As well as the Estate’s own Home Farm in Raby Park, there are many tenanted farms and a large number of houses and cottages in villages around Teesdale, many are whitewashed farmsteads and houses where families have been tenants for several generations.
Role Details
Raby Estate is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to welcome visitors to Raby Castle. Applicants should have a friendly and outgoing personality as they are the first point of contact to welcome thousands of visitors each year. This is a hands-on role where you will be expected to work independently and as part of a team.
What You’ll Be Doing
The successful candidate will report to the Castle Custodian and public engagement/learning officer and will deliver exceptional customer service ensuring that visitors receive a positive first impression and a friendly welcome. Volunteers play a crucial role in helping to share Raby Castle’s rich and fascinating history with visitors. We are currently recruiting volunteers to support the Raby Castle team from Monday to Sunday.
- Assisting the Visitor Services Team to prepare the property for public opening and assist in the closing down procedure
- Helping visitors to discover more about Raby Castle and be inspired during their visit
- Be ‘on duty’ in the public rooms of the Castle throughout the day to ensure that all visitors view the property at its best and impart information about Raby Castle visitors
- Welcoming visitors at entrances and explain what’s on each day, advertising our range of tours, family-fun activities and special events
- Providing an excellent visitor experience; being proactive and approachable with the visitors’ experience in mind. Being informative and knowledgeable when answering visitors’ questions about Raby Castle
- Engaging with children using hand out trails and activity sheets
- Being proactive in providing low-level security to Raby Castle during opening hours
- Work within Raby Castle’s procedures
- Work in compliance with the Raby Castle Health and Safety policy at all times
- Undertake training as and when required
- Potential for future volunteering opportunities across the wider grounds including gardens and visitor services
What We Need To See
We are looking for someone with an outgoing, helpful and friendly personality, confident in engaging with members of the public. You will be familiar with our beautiful spaces at Raby, from the stunning Octagon Drawing Room to the grand Entrance Hall. We are looking for confident, enthusiastic and friendly faces to welcome visitors to Raby. Help to provide a memorable experience by highlighting special items from our collections and being on-hand to answer questions.
What We’ve Got To Offer
- A welcoming and enjoyable volunteering experience
- A full induction and training programme with on-going support
- Monthly volunteer coffee mornings and other volunteer social events such as the annual Christmas Party
- Historical book borrowing from the Volunteer Library
- Free Admission to visitor attractions for Volunteers (plus one adult)
- Social Events
It’s people that make a place, without people, a place is simply an empty shell. At Raby this is certainly true, it’s our people that make Raby special. We strive to offer our volunteers an excellent learning environment and the tools to perform, enabling them to achieve their goals and be the best they can be.
How To Apply
If you would like to be part of our journey, we’d love to hear from you. If you feel you have the necessary skills, experience and personality to undertake this role, we’d love to hear from you.
Privacy statement
Raby Estates are gathering the data in this application for the purpose of recruitment and to ensure we can contact you regarding this application. For information about what we do with your personal data see our Raby Privacy Policy.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Raby Volunteer employer: Raby Estates
Contact Detail:
Raby Estates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Raby Volunteer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Raby Castle's history and key features. Knowing interesting facts and stories about the castle will help you engage visitors and make their experience memorable.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills by engaging with friends or family in a friendly manner. This will help you feel more comfortable when welcoming visitors and answering their questions.
✨Tip Number 3
Visit Raby Castle as a guest before applying. This will give you firsthand experience of the visitor journey, allowing you to understand what makes a great visitor experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your enthusiasm for volunteering by attending local events or workshops related to heritage and tourism. This demonstrates your commitment and passion for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Raby Volunteer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read through the job description carefully to understand what Raby Castle is looking for in a volunteer. Highlight your enthusiasm for engaging with visitors and your ability to provide excellent customer service.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects your outgoing personality and any relevant experience you have in customer service or volunteering. Include specific examples of how you've engaged with the public in the past.
Craft a Personal Statement: Write a personal statement that showcases your passion for history and visitor engagement. Explain why you want to volunteer at Raby Castle and how you can contribute to creating a memorable experience for visitors.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, double-check for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application shows attention to detail and professionalism, which is important for a role that involves welcoming visitors.
How to prepare for a job interview at Raby Estates
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
Make sure to express your excitement about the role and the opportunity to volunteer at Raby Castle. A friendly and outgoing personality is key, so let your passion for engaging with visitors shine through during the interview.
✨Know the History
Familiarise yourself with the history of Raby Castle and its significance. Being knowledgeable about the castle will help you answer questions confidently and engage visitors effectively, showcasing your commitment to providing an exceptional experience.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since this role involves working both independently and as part of a team, be prepared to discuss examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in the past. Highlighting your ability to work well in a team will show that you're a great fit for the volunteer environment.
✨Prepare Questions
Think of thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. You might ask about the types of activities volunteers typically engage in or how the team supports each other in delivering a memorable visitor experience.
