Volunteer receptionist volunteer roles in croydon, england

Based in the Reception of the Main Gallery, you will be the first point of contact for visitors to the Gallery, giving a warm welcome, assisting with enquiries and ensuring a high-quality visitor experience. You will also support the day to day running of the Gallery, dealing with administrative duties and supporting the Gallery Shop, sharing product information with visitors and taking sales.  

Tasks and Responsibilities  

• Welcoming and engaging visitors, providing information about the gallery and programmes  

• Responding to telephone, email and face to face enquiries  

• Being a visible presence in the Gallery space, ensuring everyone’s safety and the security of artwork and our retail space 

• Guiding visitors around the gallery and wider site 

• Assisting with sales and shop displays, including cash handling 

• Maintaining a neat and tidy reception and retail area  

• Supporting our retail work, with stocktaking, pricing and other tasks 

• Monitoring visitor numbers and contributing to evaluation initiatives  

• Representing the Gallery and Richmond Arts Service  

What we hope you will get from the role 

• The opportunity to meet new people and engage with the local community 

• Improved and demonstrable administration and communication skills 

• Valuable insight and experience of a contemporary art gallery, crossing the arts, cultural and heritage sectors 

• An understanding of the breadth of arts activity offered by Richmond Arts Service 

Training and Support  

We will provide training and an induction which covers all aspects of the role. On-going support and supervision will be provided by staff throughout your time with us. Additionally, there are regular training sessions to supplement and further your initial training, as well as a varied programme of volunteer events and activities to join in, meet people and learn something new! 

Desirable qualities and experience  

• Enthusiasm for meeting and engaging with people and sharing information 

• Interest for contemporary art, local history and/or heritage  

• Able to answer enquiries in a friendly and helpful manner  

• Willingness to learn, particularly administrative skills 

• Enjoys being part of a team  

• Ability to complete tasks independently 

• Good time keeping  

Availability  

The gallery is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm, with two volunteer shifts a day, 10am – 1pm and 1pm – 5pm.   

We ask for a minimum commitment of one shift every fortnight, although there is flexibility over scheduling.   

Location  

This role is based at Orleans House Gallery in the Main Gallery building.

Expenses  

We will cover travel expenses up to £14 per day.   

How to Apply  

Please complete our application form through our website.

Our Volunteers Co-ordinator will then contact you for an introductory chat, to learn more about your interest in volunteering and discuss the role further.   

Background  

Richmond Arts Service is based at Orleans House Gallery on the Riverside in Twickenham, promoting arts and culture through a programme of contemporary art exhibitions, festivals, events and activities for everyone in the community.   

We foster creativity and enjoyment of the arts, enable people to reflect on their lives and develop new ways of seeing the world. We bring thought-provoking art to the Borough and cultivate a network of individuals, organisations and programmes that nourishes the arts, local organisations and communities.

Home to the Richmond Borough Art Collection, comprising of over 4,400 artworks, at a site with a rich 300+ year history, Orleans House Gallery works with local, national and international artists and community partners to engage with the community, as we have done since 1972.   

Information and Advice Service: The Information and Advice service for older people provides a free, confidential, and independent service for anyone aged 65+ living in Bromley and 50 + in Greenwich. Our advisors provide general advice on a range of subjects: employment rights, welfare benefits, housing, consumer rights and adult social care.

Role Summary: Provide information and signposting to older people living in Bromley and Greenwich and provide admin support to the Information and Advice Team, helping to keep the information resources up to date.

What will I be involved in?

• Answering calls and basic enquiries coming into our Information and Advice Service, full training is provided. Present and discuss information with the client in an accessible manner.
• Committed to researching and providing up to date information to vulnerable older people using the internet and other resources.
• Identify and research information relevant to the user’s situation, drawing on resources available.
• Being online and knowledgeable of Microsoft packages and the use of emails
• Liase closely with the Advice Case Supervisor, other advisors, and wider staff team. Seeking guidance and support where required.
• Successfully complete online training courses for Age UK Bromley and Greenwich volunteers.
• Participate in volunteer support meetings with the Advice Case Supervisor and any training on safeguarding adults and appropriate boundaries.
• At all times work in accordance with the organisation’s policies regarding Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Confidentiality & Data Protection. Lone working.
• Represent the professional standards of Age UK Bromley and Greenwich and ensure that you wear your volunteer id badge whilst volunteering.   

What skills and qualities will I need to have?

• Enjoys talking and helping our clients, 65+ living in Bromley and 50 + in Greenwich from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Good communication skills and confident at speaking to clients on the telephone
• Able to prioritise tasks with good time management skills.
• A commitment to ensuring that customers are provided with accurate relevant information and support. Interested in finding out more about social welfare law advice e.g. housing and welfare benefits.
• Be a good listener and have empathy with older people, being approachable and welcoming.
• Interested in learning and developing new skills required of the role. Demonstrate that you are interested in what the client has to say by communicating respect and warmth.
• Demonstrate a non-judgmental approach. The listener may personally disagree with the client’s opinions or actions but attempts to understand the client’s point of view and shows that they still value the client.
• Being able to maintain client confidentiality, understand the importance of keeping within the parameters of the role and have a good understanding of GDPR and Data Protection.

Benefits of getting involved:

• Being part of a team who are passionate about helping clients 65+ living in Bromley and 50+ in Greenwich
• Committed to supporting the Information and Advice service deliver a difference to all their clients.
• Ongoing support and role training with feedback given.
• Opportunities for networking with other volunteers and being part of a wider volunteer team.
• Awareness of Age UK Bromley and Greenwich social events, services, and projects

Other information: Prospective volunteers will complete a recruitment process and be required to provide details of two references and agree to submit details for and undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check. All our volunteer roles are 18+, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Age UK Bromley & Greenwich will reimburse all expenditure reasonably incurred. Receipts to be provided with expenditure claims.

Role Description:

The Safe Space is a local hub for anyone who feels they are nearing crisis point. We are here to listen to what you need and work with you to help. These might be strategies to help you cope in the moment, a range of activities that we provide free of charge, resources to take away or connect you with practical local services. As a part of this, we are looking for volunteers to offer support to individuals who may access our crisis drop-in services. This includes a variety of tasks, which include greeting individuals, offering a cup of tea and biscuits, general reception duties, supporting 1:1 session, completing administrative tasks and generally keeping clients engaged and safe on our premises.

We are looking for someone who

• Has lived experience of mental health/social crisis
• Preferably have had experience working with people who experience poor mental health
• Are comfortable with co-producing and facilitating peer led workshops where applicable if required.
• Are willing to actively participate with clients 1:1 and in group settings
• Are able to take on any ad hoc admin/support responsibilities within the Safe Space Team

Time commitment and expenses:

• Minimum 6 months commitment, offer I day per week during our opening hours of 2pm–10pm.  Please indicate your preferred volunteering day(s) plus preferred site (H&F, Ealing or Hounslow) on your application.
• We will provide volunteers with an induction, training, and ongoing mentoring to support them in the role 
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed where required.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering at Mind is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with a nationally recognised charity, and volunteering in Safe Space is an opportunity to experience and get involved in crisis support. We provide initial and ongoing training, as well as plenty of opportunities for progression within the organisation. You will also be a part of a supportive team with great awareness of wellbeing and the mental health sector.