Welcome Team Volunteer
Description
Why we want you
RSPB Rainham Marshes is one of the very few ancient landscapes remaining in London, located right next to the River Thames. Visitors to the nature reserve can expect to see breeding wader birds in spring and summer, large flocks of wild ducks in winter, birds of prey, water voles and rare dragonflies.
We want to ensure that every visitor to the reserve gets a warm welcome and is inspired to come back again and again - this is where you come in!
We're looking to build a team of Welcome Volunteers whose role it is to, (yes, you guessed it!) welcome visitors to the reserve. We'd like a mix of Welcome Volunteers out on the reserve and in the visitor centre. We'd also love Welcome Volunteers to represent the RSPB and Rainham Marshes at external local events too if possible, eg, fairs - though if you'd prefer to volunteer purely at the reserve then that's equally fine with us.
The key attribute we're looking for is 'people' skills - you'd need to be very comfortable and happy chatting to people and understand the importance of giving our visitors a great experience. Specifically we'd need you to: enthuse visitors about Rainham marshes and the wildlife they can see there; provide them with all the information they'd need to make the most of their visit (we'd brief you on all this beforehand); inspire people about the work of the RSPB and ask them whether they'd like to become a member (if they aren't already).
Other occasional tasks could include taking bookings (either face to face or over the telephone) from visitors who'd like to attend one of our reserve events and ringing up goods, eg second hand books that we sell in the visitor centre.
NB We'd train you in everything you need to know beforehand and you DON'T need to be a bird expert. Just have a passion for nature and wildlife.
What’s in it for you?
A wonderful opportunity to really make a difference to our work in an amazing setting! Meet lots of new people: reserve visitors, staff and fellow volunteers. Learn more about the reserve and the wildlife that uses it.
The RSPB is the country's largest nature conservation body, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Volunteering can help you gain skills and give you a valuable insight into our work.
The skills you need
f you're a 'people person', friendly, approachable and have good understanding of the importance of giving visitors a first class experience then this could be the role for you!
You need to be confident initiating conversations with people and tailoring your conversation to suit.
You need to be comfortable and confident asking visitors whether they're already RSPB members and if not, whether they'd like to join as a member.
We'd train you in everything you need to know beforehand and you DON'T need to be a bird expert. Just have a passion for nature and wildlife.
Your time
Minimum commitment: Lots of flexibility, 4 hours a week or more, 1 day a month, you choose!
Duration: Ongoing
Period: All year round
Who to contact
Howard Vaughan
Tel: 01708 899840
Notes
As a volunteer we don't expect you to go out of pocket so would of course reimburse any out-of-pocket travel expenses (up to a radius of 25 miles from the reserve). We'd also provide you with ongoing support in your role and invite you to reserve thank you events.