Community Outreach Volunteer

Why does English Heritage need my support?

Grime’s Graves is the only Neolithic flint mine open to visitors in Britain. This grassy lunar landscape of over 400 pits is of national significance, not just for its rare archaeology, but because it is set amid the distinctive Breckland Heath landscape, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a habitat for rare plants and fauna.

Following on from a National Lottery Heritage Funded project to transform Grime’s Grave visitor experience, we are looking to recruit a small team of enthusiastic Community Outreach Volunteers to help us share more of Grime’s Graves’ story with our local community. You will be a crucial part of the Grime’s Graves team, helping us reach more people across the area by identifying engagement opportunities within local communities and attending off-site events (such as village fairs, volunteer networking days and community group meetings). We would like you to represent and promote English Heritage and the exciting opportunities and activities Grime’s Graves has to offer.

How much time will I be expected to give?  

This is a flexible role, and the length of each activity will differ depending upon what element of this role you become involved with. We will be happy to discuss availability with you one-on-one to find an approach to volunteering which works for us all. Whether you would like to just help out attending ad-hoc local community events, presenting to community groups, setting up promotional points or a mixture of the above.

We are looking for volunteers to help us approximately 1- 2 days a month (between 4 – 16 hours a month).

Where will I be based?

You will need to be able to attend off-site events across the Local area, roughly within 1 hour driving of Grime’s Graves, Lynford, Thetford, IP26 5DE.

What will I be doing?

The most important aspect of the role is conveying an enthusiasm for the site to new audiences and getting them involved through the promotion of the site, you will:

• Work closely with our staff team and other volunteers to help develop and deliver a plan for community outreach and off-site promotional opportunities
• Attend local community events (such as local village fairs, volunteer networking events or festivals) to help run a stall or stand that promotes the English Heritage sites as places to visit and volunteer
• Assist in the delivery of fun and engaging activities to help interactions with people whilst at an event
• Support our Community Outreach Programme, including Grime’s Graves pop-ups, Stone Age days, Youth Advisory Programme, Saturday Storytelling Club, and expert-led field trips and partnership events with local nature organisations

·      We are always trying to improve our offer, so helping evaluate the effectiveness of the outreach programme is an important part of this role.

What skills, qualities and experience do I need?

We are looking for people who have:

·      Excellent communication skills

·      Flexibility and adaptability

·      Ability to deliver the sessions to people of different ages and abilities, asking and answering questions

·      Ability to work in a team with site staff and volunteers

·      Able to work independently off site.

If you are sociable, well organised and pro-active then this is the role for you!

What support and training will I receive?

You will be invited to attend a Welcome to English Heritage Induction session, and receive an accompanying Volunteer Handbook. You will also work closely with our staff teams and be allocated a Volunteer Manager to support you in your tasks.

You will receive role-specific training, including:

• How to deliver events and presentations
• Community Outreach Skills development
• Setting up event stalls
• Use of any technological equipment or programmes
• Site-based learning material on the history of Grime’s Graves
• All relevant health and safety considerations and materials.

There will also be the opportunity to take part in further training throughout the year by joining our expert-led field trips. There will also be opportunities to get involved in other on site projects such as a Youth Led Film Project and Stone Age re-enactment days.

What will English Heritage expect from me?

• To be the friendly face of English Heritage and deliver excellent customer service
• To be reliable in attendance and dependable
• Help us maintain the highest standards of presentation at our sites and properties
• To wear English Heritage volunteer uniform where provided
• Help us protect our properties and collections by understanding and following our security and safety procedures
• Maintain good working relationships with staff, other volunteers and members of the public
• Attend appropriate training and learn about the work of English Heritage
• Observe organisational policy and procedures
• Safeguard confidential information about English Heritage and let us know about anything relating to your role or the work of English Heritage that you think might be controversial
• Any documentary or other material (including any copyright applying thereto) you are provided with or created by you in respect of your volunteering will be the property and copyright of English Heritage (unless otherwise agreed in writing).

What can I expect from English Heritage?   

• A welcoming and enjoyable experience
• To be treated fairly and with respect
• Recognition and appreciation for your contribution
• A full induction and training programme with on-going support
• A volunteer pass allowing free entry to English Heritage properties is available on completion of 60 hours or four months of regular volunteering
• Reimbursement of reasonable local travel costs between home and volunteering location within agreed limits
• A certificate to demonstrate work carried out for English Heritage is available on request to show future employers or further education providers
• You will be covered by English Heritage’s own indemnity arrangements in respect of all liabilities that may result from your appointment as a volunteer.