At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with visitors, provide information, and ensure a welcoming experience at Wakehurst.
- Company: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - a leader in conservation and horticulture.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, training, and reimbursement for travel expenses.
- Other info: Join a friendly team and contribute to meaningful conservation efforts.
- Why this job: Share your passion for plants and connect with diverse visitors in a beautiful setting.
- Qualifications: Great communication skills and a love for horticulture are essential.
Overall Purpose of the Role
Wakehurst welcomes over 430,000 visitors per year to explore and enjoy the botanical gardens managed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
This role sits alongside and will be managed by the Wakehurst Visitor Centre Team, to engage with and provide a seamless, consistent, and high-quality experience for all visitors to Wakehurst.
Supporting the Visitor Centre team, this role will assist in main Visitor Centre ensuring high standards of customer service and presentation are maintained.
At Kew, we recognise that diversity enriches the work we do and welcome volunteer applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Our aim is to provide equal opportunities to all volunteers, ensuring they are treated fairly, without bias or prejudice, while fostering an environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully.
This role would suit volunteers who
- Enjoy interacting with people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds
- Have excellent communication skills
- Have previous experience in a public facing role
- Are knowledgeable about the work of Kew / Wakehurst
- Enjoy being on their feet
Main Tasks of the Role
- Provide a warm welcome for visitors
- Engage with visitors while they wait to enter the gardens to find out what they want from their visit and to suggest options
- Speak with visitors to encourage positive behaviour in the gardens and to make them aware of both our garden code of conduct and our canine code
- Provide information on garden highlights, planting themes, conservation and research
- Be up to date with information and ready to answer questions around events and general site information, including opening times etc
- Provide a visible presence for visitors to ask questions
- Meet tour groups / large groups as required
- Helping with wheelchair access and mobility scooter training
About You
- You enjoy engaging with people with a wide range of ages and interests and being in a public facing role.
- You will have a good knowledge of plants and gardening and the desire to share this with others
- You will be familiar with Wakehurst / Kew and our work
- You will be a great communicator and enjoy passing on your interest in Wakehurst's work to our visitors.
- The main qualities we are looking for are enthusiasm and commitment to this role. We encourage a weekly contribution of at least half a day a week.
What to expect from us
- A full induction, training and ongoing support and supervision
- Opportunities to learn about Wakehurst and Kew, and the world-renowned science, conservation and horticulture behind our living collections
- To be treated fairly and with respect
- To be part of a friendly and dedicated team and volunteering community
- Reimbursement of actual travel expenses incurred up to a set value
- Wakehurst volunteer corporate wear
What we expect from you
- An interest in horticulture and science and in developing your knowledge about Royal Botanic Gardens Kew & Wakehurst's work.
- Willingness to attend training to give you the knowledge you'll need.
- Flexibility and willingness to give support where necessary.
- To be able to contribute a minimum ideal of 4 half days per month.
- Recognition that with a Kew uniform on, you represent the organisation and its values and have a willingness to uphold them.
- For further information please contact William Pradel at W. Pradel@kew. org
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Inspiring Visitor Experience Volunteer in East Grinstead employer: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, perfect for those passionate about digital product development. With a focus on employee growth and a competitive benefits package, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team in creating impactful digital services that enhance user experience while contributing to Kew's ambitious Digital Strategy. Located in a world-renowned botanical garden, this role offers a unique environment where your work can truly make a difference.
Contact Details:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Inspiring Visitor Experience Volunteer in East Grinstead
✨Get Involved with Local Causes
Start connecting with local nonprofits or social impact projects in your area. Attend their events, offer to help out with community initiatives, or just drop by to chat about their mission. This way, you’ll not only learn about the work they do but also make meaningful connections that could lead to volunteer opportunities.
✨Leverage Social Media for Social Impact
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are goldmines for discovering volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Follow organisations you’re passionate about, engage with their posts, and keep an eye out for their volunteer calls. It’s a great way to show your interest and dedication!
✨Utilise Volunteer Matching Platforms
Sites like VolunteerMatch or local community boards are perfect for finding short-term and long-term volunteer roles. These platforms can connect you with causes that align with your passions and skills, and often allow you to browse opportunities tailored to your interests.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot an organisation you like, don't hesitate to visit their website and check out their volunteer section. Many nonprofits have dedicated pages for volunteers where you can apply directly – and we’ve found that this route often leads to quicker responses and more personalised interactions!
We think you need these skills to ace Inspiring Visitor Experience Volunteer in East Grinstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
✨Bring Your Skills to the Table
Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!
