Volunteers

Volunteer Roles

We have various volunteer roles available: Reception/shop, Tour Guide, Garden, Stables and Maintenance. Please scroll down for further information.

Reception/Shop

Reporting to the Visitor Centre Manager, volunteers on reception are the front line of the Trust, ensuring visitors are given a warm and confident welcome.

Responsibilities:

· Establish whether visitors wish to visit the stud farm or just use the café facilities

· Confirm entry prices, establish whether any discounts are applicable i.e. concession/family and promote Annual Passes

· Manage payments accurately and give visitors their entry wrist bands

· Direct visitors to the 'Information Point' to ensure they are informed of what is on offer

· Offer use of the golf buggy if required and arrange a suitable driver

· Use the till/card machine to add up and charge visitors for gifts etc. from the shop

· Keep the reception and shop areas clean and tidy and the shelves stocked

· Follow the instructions of the Duty Officer and administration team

· Occasionally assist the café with clearing tables etc. at exceptionally busy times

Desired skills/ Experience

· Basic Numeracy and literacy

· Good communication skills

Personal Attributes

· A friendly, confident nature

· Effective customer service skills

· Appropriately dressed for a customer facing role, well groomed

· Confident using the till and handling cash

· A team player who is also confident working alone for short periods

· Ability to problem-solve and use initiative

What we expect of you

· Reliability and good time-keeping

· Enthusiasm

· To present yourself and the Trust in a professional manner

· To remain calm and focused in awkward situations

· To know when to ask for help or advice from other volunteers or the Duty Officer

· A desire to learn about the Trust and the animals on site

What you can expect from us

· Appropriate training for all tasks

· Advance agreement of rotas

· Discount in the shop and café

Tour Guides - Groups/Tractor

Our guides are friendly & knowledgeable and are able to pitch their talks appropriately. Large groups are divided and guided by several volunteers. Tractor tours around the site take place in the middle of each day, accommodating as many visitors as wish to ride. Guides give general information and answer visitor questions as they go round.

Responsibilities:

· Greet the group and assist at reception during payment of entry fees.

· Give a brief introduction about the Trust.

· Lead the tour of the stables, implement barn and host the private horse & cart/tractor ride around the stud, giving relevant talks about each area.

· Answer visitors' questions.

· At the end of the tour, advise visitors of the other areas they are free to look at.

· Ensure the group has completed the visit and encourage constructive criticism.

Desired skills/ Experience

· Confident public speaker

Personal Attributes

· Effective communication skills

· A friendly, confident nature

· Appropriately dressed for a customer-facing role, well groomed

· Confident working alone

· Ability to problem-solve and use initiative

What we expect of you

· Reliability and good time-keeping

· Flexibility

· Enthusiasm

· To present yourself and the Trust in a professional manner

· To remain calm and focussed in awkward situations

· To know when to ask for help or advice from other volunteers or the Duty Officer

· A sound knowledge of the Trust and the animals on site

· General knowledge of nature in the area

· General knowledge of locations and other attractions in the area

What you can expect from us

· Appropriate training

· Advance agreement of rotas

· Discount in the shop and café

Garden

Our National Heritage Collection of 20th century hardy plants, trees, climbers, shrubs and herbaceous plants are all born and bred in Suffolk and celebrate Suffolk plant breeders, gardeners and celebrities.

Responsibilities:

· Various general gardening duties as directed by the Head Gardener:

· Double digging, weeding, mowing etc

· Talking to visitors about the plants and answering their questions.

· Research into the many rare Suffolk garden plants we are still looking for.

Desired experience

· A keen gardener with knowledge of planting

· Good knowledge of plants in general

Personal Attributes

· A friendly team player.

· Physically able to work outside

· Interested in gardening, prior knowledge is a bonus but not essential

What we expect of you

· Dress appropriately for the weather conditions

· Use the Trust's tools safely and treat them with respect

· Reliability and good time-keeping

· Flexibility

· Enthusiasm

· To present yourself and the Trust in a good light

· Follow the instructions of the Head Gardener

What you can expect from us

· Advance agreement of rotas

· Appropriate training

· A dedicated Head Gardener

· Discount in the shop and café

Stables

Our stud includes Suffolk Punch mares, colts, stallions and young stock as well as Shetlands, Thoroughbreds, Red Poll cattle, Suffolk sheep, pygmy goats, guinea pigs, chickens and ducks.

Responsibilities

· General yard duties as directed by the stud and staff

· Mucking out, changing rugs, turning out and bringing horses into the stables

· Feeding small animals and cleaning their living areas

· Harnessing horses for work and training

· Educating young stock

· Pulling ragwort

· General maintenance around the site

· Assisting with demonstrations in front of visitors

· Talking to visitors and answering their questions

· Report any breakages or shortages of supplies

Desired experience

· General DIY/maintenance skills

· Interested in horses/animals, prior experience is a bonus but not essential

Personal Attributes

· A friendly team player

· Physically able to work outside

· Able to work alone once skills are developed

What we expect of you

· Dress appropriately for the weather conditions

· Use the Trust's tools safely and treat them with respect

· To act responsibly and safely around the animals

· Reliability and good time-keeping

· Flexibility

· Enthusiasm

· To present yourself and the Trust in a professional manner

· Follow the instructions of the Head Groom and other members of stud staff

What you can expect from us

· Appropriate training

· Advance agreement of rotas

· A dedicated Stud Manager

· Discount in the shop and café

Maintenance

Our volunteer team help repair and maintain the buildings and site fixtures, as well as creating new fittings and facilities where required. Reporting to the Head of Maintenance and liaising with the Stud Manager.

Responsibilities

· Painting and decorating

· Carpentry and joinery

· Plumbing

· Machine and vehicle maintenance

· Strimming, mowing, ground clearance

· General handiwork

· Report any breakages or shortages of supplies

Personal Attributes

· A friendly team player, able to work alone if required

· Conscientious

· Creativity and inventiveness would be a bonus

· Physically able to work outside

· A working knowledge of DIY is preferable but not essential

What we expect of you

· Dress appropriately for the weather conditions

· Use the Trust's tools safely and treat them with respect

· Keep the workshop in a tidy and workable condition

· Reliability and good time-keeping

· Flexibility

· Enthusiasm

· To present yourself and the Trust in a professional manner

· Follow the instructions of the Head of Maintenance

What you can expect from us

· Appropriate training

· Advance agreement of rotas

· Acquisition of skills

· Discount in the shop and café