Café & Gift Shop Volunteer - West Berkshire Museum

West Berkshire Museum has an exciting opportunity for volunteers to make visitors feel a warm welcome and to provide a pleasant atmosphere by helping in our café and gift shop.

The museum is a busy and well used public space; we are looking for volunteers who are enthusiastic and energetic and who would thrive in a team environment or be able to work alone.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in supporting the front of house of the Museum by carrying out the following essential tasks which are:

• To serve customers and provide them with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 
• Assist in the day to day running of the café and gift shop
• To help with merchandise on sale by cleaning or restocking. 
• To take orders, operate the till and handle the money. 
• To be able to learn how to make drinks and food when required. 
• To ensure that areas are clean and tidy.

It is possible that there will be periods during your volunteering when there will be less busy times. During these times we like our volunteers to take ownership and be proactive. This could be tidying shelves, organising the shop displays, making sure the refreshment point is clear and anything else that might support the staff working that day.

A Café and Gift Shop Volunteer must be prepared to commit to a regular time which would be timetabled and agreed with the Museum Manager.

Our commitment is to offer training and regular support and the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people.

The Museum is located on the Wharf in Newbury, adjacent to the Kennet & Avon Canal opposite Newbury Library. We are a short walk from Newbury's train and bus stations. The Museum is surrounded by pay on foot and pay and display parking. There are disabled parking bays within the car park in front of the Museum.

About West Berkshire Council - Culture and Libraries

* Libraries in Burghfield, Hungerford, Lambourn, Mortimer, Newbury, Pangbourne, Thatcham and Theale, as well as the mobile library service.
* Providing free access to computers
* Providing access to books, information and resources
* Providing an e library service
* Running local library events
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There has been a museum in the Cloth Hall in Newbury since 1904, but some of the collections were first put together in the 1840s by the Newbury Literary and Scientific Institute.

Things have changed a bit since then. These days we are a community museum representing the whole of West Berkshire and offering a friendly welcome to visitors, groups and societies. The work of the museum goes on both inside our building and out and about in communities across the district.

Collects objects, images and audio-visual material which have a link to West Berkshire. That might mean it's something that was made here, is linked to something that happened here or was used by someone who lived or worked in the area.

West Berkshire Museum is different to many museums; there is no 'permanent exhibition'. Our 10 "Story Stores" are regularly changing exhibitions. Each tells a part of our local history and means that visitors can see new things and try different activities every time they come.

This way we will leave a record for future generations of life in the twenty-first century in our own words.
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Often described as a hidden gem, Shaw House is located in tranquil surroundings on the north edge of Newbury. Shaw House is a Grade I listed multi-purpose event venue which is also open for the public to explore during school holidays and at weekends between February and September every year.

What skills do I need?

This opportunity would suit someone who has the ability to communicate with people, enjoys conversations and is able to liaise with people of all ages.

You need to remain calm at busy times but cope when things are quieter. You will need to demonstrate good customer service and undertake customer care and other training when required.

When is this role available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Details

Time Commitment for Volunteer: We are looking for volunteers in a long-term commitment as this makes for a more reliable service for our customers.

Where does this role take place?