Special Events Volunteer

When

Events take place throughout the calendar year, mostly at weekends and often evenings. The sessions are usually between 3-6 hours dependent on the event. Regular events are scheduled over certain weekends during May, June, September and October, and over four weekends preceding Christmas. There are likely to be ad-hoc events at other times.

• Forest Live is normally in June and runs for 4 nights on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Enchanted Christmas runs on scheduled evenings from late November till mid-December and includes weekends.

What’s Involved

Typical tasks could include the following but will be event dependent:

• Welcoming visitors, answering queries and giving appropriate information/ directions regarding the event.
• Marshalling/stewarding.
• Walk the event site advising staff of any problems/cause for concern.
• Promote Westonbirt, distribute maps and leaflets.
• Promote ‘Friends of Westonbirt’ membership.

We’d like you to be…

• Reliable, enthusiastic and have confidence in speaking to and engaging with visitors, with a keen willingness to become part of a team. 
• A people-person with a warm welcoming style who can communicate with all kinds of visitors
• Enjoy working outdoors and be prepared for all weather

We will…

• Provide new starter training and ongoing support, help and guidance.
• Each event will have its own specific briefing/training session dependent on the tasks required.
• Provide a work schedule for the event
• Ensure you receive full support from Forestry England staff and the event medical team. You will not need to be able to attempt first aid.
• Provide volunteer space for breaks, welfare, signing in/out (including picking up radios etc)
• Provide all equipment with instruction, and personal protective equipment where needed.
• Advise that the role involves walking on and off mainly level paths in the arboretum in ALL weather conditions; Enchanted Christmas and Forest Live are evening events. Sturdy boots/shoes are needed. 
• Give you an on-site radio for communication.
• Ensure you are always working in pairs.
• Pay a contribution to the cost of volunteering travel.
• Advise that large parts of the event are spent outdoors away often from the main site facilities.
• Provide pool waterproofs / fleeces in inclement weather
• Provide volunteer uniform and name badge.