Shaw House – Café Volunteer

In this hands on, front of house role, you will help visitors refuel and relax during their visit to Shaw House, ensuring a welcoming and positive experience. Volunteers provide a warm greeting, serve customers throughout the day, and help keep the café stocked, clean, and running smoothly.

Café Volunteers enjoy interacting with people, offering friendly assistance, and making helpful recommendations. You will help maintain high standards of food and drink preparation and ensure all displays and signage are accurate and attractively presented.

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?

What You’ll Be Doing

We are looking for volunteers who can:

• Be an enthusiastic advocate for Shaw House and its events

• Provide a warm welcome to all café visitors

• Support the running of our outdoor catering facility (as required)

• Follow food hygiene and health & safety procedures

• Serve customers in a friendly and efficient manner

• Use our EPOS till system and handle cash confidently

• Restock supplies and maintain tidy displays

• Clean and operate the dishwasher

• Assist with end of day cleaning and café close-down procedures

• Promote our on-site shop

• Encourage visitor donations

• Work effectively as part of a team

• Show respect for staff, volunteers, and visitors

• Be mindful of working within a heritage environment

• Have, or be willing to gain, a basic knowledge of Shaw House history

• Respond flexibly to changes and the varying demands of the house

• Represent Shaw House and West Berkshire Council positively at all times

What do I need to get involved: 

This role suits someone who enjoys talking to people of all ages and can communicate confidently with the public. You’ll need to handle the physical aspects of the job, stay calm when it’s busy, and adapt when it’s quieter. Good customer service, a willingness to take part in training, a smart appearance, and a practical, proactive attitude are all important.

When is this role available?

This is a flexible role available on various days/times.

Details

Support over the summer holidays, school holidays and through out the year including evenings. There may be quiet periods.

Where does this role take place?