Welcomer

We have been welcoming visitors from around the world, since 1620 when we opened our doors as the first post-Reformation church in Edinburgh. We are looking for volunteer Welcomers to join our team.

In a nutshell, your role will be to greet our visitors and ensure their experience with us is unique and memorable.  

From the signing of the Covenant and our place in Scotland’s history, to Edinburgh’s most beloved dog, Bobby and our connection to the Harry Potter franchise, there is something here for everyone!

About the Role: What is a Welcomer?

As a Welcomer, you will be facilitating an important role here at the Kirk! During visitor open days, you are likely to be the first person our visitors will interact with. Your job is to make them feel welcome!

You will welcome them with a smile and initiate a friendly conversation with them so we can best personalise their visit. You will invite them to look around the Kirk and encourage their questions if they are unsure of anything. Although admission is free at the main entrance, you will invite them to make a donation. Over time you will learn about the Kirk’s long history and answer questions about the building or the human history associated with Kirk and Kirkyard. Invariably questions have been asked before and you will be able to take reference from fellow Welcomers, a Welcomers ‘bible’ or any of our reference books.

The Kirk has a retail outlet where you will also be required to operate the shop. We use a simple till system when working with cash and credit cards to attend to customers’ purchases.

There is no uniform, per se, but as a representative of the Kirk with your duties, a good standard of dress and bearing is required. You also will be required to wear a name badge, that we will provide you with.

Tasks Involved

Tasks Involved,

Welcomers are there to assist the Operations Manager during the times that the Kirk is open to the public. Working as part of a team of between two and four people, duties include:

• Manning the front desk

• Encouraging donations through our ‘tap to donate’ system, you are asked to follow a ‘Welcoming Script’

• Being the friendly face to our visitors

• Assisting visitors or pointing them in the direction of someone who can best advise them

• Share your knowledge and interest about Greyfriars with our visitors

You are there to assist the Operations Manager during the times that the Kirk is open to the public. You will be part of a team of between two and four people. You will be required for a four hour shift during the main summer opening season between April and October.

When and Where

Weekly shifts from 11am - 3pm

Your duty would be at the Kirk in the main sanctuary. Usually you will rotate position between the main welcoming desk, shop and roving areas of the Kirk. You will be required for a 4 hour shift as above.

Refreshment breaks can be arranged as agreed with other Welcomers on the shift.

Time Commitment

Four hours per week:

• 11am -3pm

The Kirk is also open occasionally on Saturdays and on certain weekdays during the winter months 11.00-15.00.

Usually Welcomers elect to undertake one shift regularly once a week and this is published in advance on a monthly roster.

Minimum Age for Role

16

Requires PVG?

No

Volunteer Coordinator Ellen McFadzen
Contact Phone 0131 225 1900
Contact Email communications@greyfriarskirk.com

Interested in this role? Click here to email the coordinator!