Role Description:
Our Tea Room volunteers provide a wonderfully warm and inviting experience for our visitors as they take a moment to enjoy some delicious light refreshments within the beautiful grounds of Furzey Gardens. Your role will involve helping to serve food and drinks, including sandwiches, cakes and cream teas, in a prompt, efficient and pleasant manner, as well as ensuring the Tea Room and Terrace area remains clean, tidy and presentable to visitors.
Who are we looking for?
Friendly, cheerful and dynamic, this role requires someone who really enjoys engaging with the general public and meeting new people. Working alongside both staff and other volunteers, you will become part of our small, happy team and take real pride in delivering excellent customer service with a helpful and ‘can do’ attitude. During high season the Tea Rooms can become busy so this role would ideally suit someone who enjoys the hustle and bustle of a vibrant café, but who is also able to work efficiently and calmly during those moments of increased pressure.
During the summer months, we occasionally host early evening events such as small celebration receptions, or open air theatre events for which the Tea Rooms provide drinks, canapés or picnics. These events are always fun and volunteer help is hugely welcome!
Some previous experience of working in a catering environment would be beneficial, though not essential, as all necessary training and support will be given to ensure your volunteering experience is always a positive one!
Availability:
During high season, Furzey Garden Tea Rooms is open every day from 10am until 5pm including the weekends. We will always remain as flexible as possible but would typically ask for a minimum of 2-3 hours per session. This role could be offered on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or ad-hoc basis.
About Minstead Trust:
Minstead Trust is a charity based in the New Forest and Portsmouth which offers a range of Supported Living, Residential Care, Day Opportunities, Community Programmes and Social Enterprises (including Furzey Gardens) to adults with learning disabilities. Supporting them, and their families, we provide opportunities which encourage the people we support to develop greater independence. We do this though improved health and well-being, the developing of life skills and increasing employability.
In all our roles, we strongly encourage our volunteers to enthusiastically promote the work of Minstead Trust, of which Furzey Gardens and the Tea Rooms play a key role, and to embrace our vision of an all-inclusive society.
About Furzey Gardens:
Today, Furzey Gardens is a haven of peace and tranquillity. Run as a social enterprise it is part of the Minstead Trust family which supports over 200 people with learning disabilities. Horticulture is known to offer real benefits through outdoor physical and therapeutic activity, providing important work and social skills and an opportunity for meaningful activity. Each week, Head Gardener Pete White leads a team of approximately 30 people with learning disabilities and 20 volunteers, who all work hard to maintain the Gardens and bring on plants in the nursery.
Read more about the Furzey Gardens story here:
If you would like more information please contact Ruth Farrell, Volunteer co-ordinator:
Ruth.Farrell@minsteadtrust.org.uk
07810 580872 / 023 8081 2297 (Main reception at Minstead Lodge)