Specialist/Expert Volunteer (Visitor Experience Volunteer – Memorial)
We depend on volunteers to help support memorials and donations at our Pulborough Brooks Reserve. The reserve means a lot to so many people and we work with the families and representatives of deceased members and volunteers to ensure their wishes are dealt with compassionately and professionally. It is important their support is recognised and remembered and their commitment to our conservation work continues.
The role includes: • Providing a warm welcome to all our visitors when required • Promoting the work of the RSPB and Pulborough Brooks • To be the lead and point of contact for families and/or their representatives as you support them throughout the process of making memorial choices including:
- accurately recording their requirements
- planning a course of action
- recognising the importance and understanding of their individual wishes when organising a personal and unique tribute to their loved one
- building relationships and maintaining contact throughout the process and beyond
- co-ordinating with families and/or their representatives and suppliers regarding the making and positioning of memorial benches or other memorabilia
- maintaining the database of memorabilia on the reserve and carrying out annual checks to ensure good condition and positioning
- reporting on any defects found
• To understand RSPB policy on donations and to follow procedures to ensure proceeds are allocated to the planned project, liaising with the warden as necessary. • To provide telephone and other support for the Volunteer Support Team, RSPB office team and the visitors welcome team when required • Helping existing members with their membership enquiries • Assisting visitors to the reserve with their general enquiries.
This is a truly rewarding role and you will be extremely passionate about building relationships, helping people, and delivering excellent service.
Key skills and attributes: • High level of understanding, empathy, and compassion • Excellent communication skills • Organised with strong attention to detail • Resilience and comfortable working with families and/or their representatives who may be upset • Competent user of MS Office.
Volunteering at Pulborough Brooks means you will be working with a friendly team on a beautiful nature reserve where you will have the opportunity to make new friends, meet lots of new people, enjoy conversations and help people have a wonderful visit.
You will be provided with a uniform and all the resources and training you need to undertake your role. You will have opportunities to learn new things, gain new skills and to learn about our reserves and the wildlife that is found here. You will need to undertake some essential online training, either at home or on site and you will be supported by a line manager and have lots of opportunities to discuss your role with them.
A degree of flexibility of dates and hours is required in this role but if you would like to make a difference to families, relatives and loved ones and help save nature, this role could be for you.