Exhibition Volunteers - Dyrham Park

Where

Dyrham Park
Dyrham
Bath
Gloucestershire
SN14 8ER

About this place

When

Once a fortnight, or more if you can. We're particularly looking for weekend volunteers.

Role summary

This is a new role in our brand new exhibition space, which introduces William Blathwayt and the late 17th century. We’re looking for people with a passion for global history to engage our visitors and spark their interest in the history of Dyrham Park.

What's involved? 

You will be based in our brand new exhibition space, which introduces William Blathwayt and the late 17th century. Through a series of audio-visual experiences, via ground floor rooms, visitors will be introduced to key characters from the 1660s-1700 – during the time William Blathwayt was developing his career and rebuilding the house and relandscaping the estate at Dyrham Park. Visitors will then hear more about the events in history that William Blathwayt witnessed that led to the birth of modern Britain. The last space is a museum gallery that will delve more deeply into William’s world, at work and home, through imagery, interpretive display panels, maps and key artefacts.

If the description above whets your appetite then read on.

We are looking for the right people to bring these spaces to life – the welcome at the beginning of the exhibition is key to setting visitors up for their experience and making their visit meaningful. These spaces will create conversation for visitors who love history and culture so we’re looking for people who want to learn and share their knowledge. The exhibition is accessible for everyone, so we want to welcome everyone into the space. Your positive attitude to building rapport with visitors and providing excellent service will ensure that visitors go from having a good to a great day out at Dyrham Park.

You would be:

• Providing a warm, friendly welcome and goodbye to all visitors as the public face of Dyrham Park and the National Trust as a charity
• Developing a good knowledge of the exhibition, Dyrham Park, its stories and what it is has to offer on a day-to-day basis, so that all visitors receive accurate and relevant information to enhance their visit
• Welcoming families by talking to children as well as adults
• Recognising the specific needs of all our visitors, particularly with regard to accessing the exhibition and wider site and making the most of our facilities
• Understanding and communicating key messages by reading any emails or newsletters circulating at the property
• Becoming familiar with and following the National Trust’s Health and Safety Policy, Service Culture and Values at all times.
• There may be other activities and occasions where we could use your help

Training for the role, both before and ongoing, is provided.

This role will suit you if you are...

someone who enjoys meeting new people, would describe themselves as a ‘people person’ and are confident and outgoing and like helping others. You should be comfortable being on your feet for much of the time, but shouldn’t be afraid to ask for breaks when you need them.

By getting involved you could

• be creating a welcoming and friendly place to make a real difference to our visitors’ experience
• be part of a team working together to make a great visitor experience for everyone
• be offering a warm and positive welcome to visitors from our local communities, and to those who’ve travelled further to see us
• meet people from all walks of life and making new friends
• be further developing your communication skills
• enjoy new experiences and learning something new every day