Visitor Assistant

Job Description

Would you like to work for the charity that cares for hundreds of historic sites in every corner of England? We are looking for a Visitor Assistant to join us at Gainsborough Old Hall working 21 hours per week until 31st October 2025, with the possibility of extending.

No history background? No problem. What is important to us is a passion for people and excellent customer service. You will enjoy working with others as part of a team and understand what makes excellent customer service to deliver an engaging visitor experience to a diverse audience.

Heritage is for everybody, and we are here for heritage.

Heritage lives in places and people, memories and stories, artefacts and traditions. It can connect us all to the past, and to each other. It can make us happier, strengthen every community, and help shape society for the better. Everybody should be able to enjoy the benefits it brings. That's why, as a charity, we care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites in every part of England, from international icons to local treasures. And it's why we open them up, share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy, learn, play and create.

Gainsborough Old Hall is an imposing mansion largely built during the later 15th century. Developed into a fashionable Jacobean residence, the Hall subsequently fell on hard times. Parts of the hall served as a raucous theatre. Others were made into crammed tenements. It was even used as a pub. In the mid-20th century, local volunteers raised funds to restore Gainsborough Old Hall. It remains a much-loved community hub to this day.

Please note; due to the responsibilities and requirements of this role, successful applicants will be required to undergo a basic DBS check, any employment offer will be contingent on this.

By joining us as a Gainsborough Old Hall Visitor Assistant, you will be part of an amazing team of employees and volunteers, ensuring visitors have a great time from the moment they arrive until they say goodbye. Through your recommendations, you will help personalise their visit - this could include talking about the benefits of English Heritage membership or recommending things to see and do on site. You will also contribute to making sure your site is accessible, safe and well presented at all times.

It is a varied role - some days will be busy from start to finish and others quieter, especially on the wetter days! Some paid or voluntary experience with the public is beneficial but full training and support is provided as part of your induction. You will be required to work weekends and Bank Holidays, more information will be provided at interview.

Please ensure you fill all the question boxes fully.

Benefits include:

- Comprehensive training

- The opportunity for career progression within the heritage sector in retail, food and beverage or general management

- Apprenticeship opportunities

- Opportunities to go to some of our great live music and history events

- Free access to all English Heritage sites for you, and up to 6 friends and / or family members

- 25% discount in our shops and cafes

- Enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental leave

- 25 days' holiday plus Bank Holidays pro rata rising to 28 days after 3 years

- Options to buy additional leave

- Matched pension contributions up to a maximum of 10%

Find out more about us and what we do: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/ You can also meet some of our people and hear about why they enjoy working with us: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/our-people/careers-with-us/

Everybody's welcome at English Heritage

Forget the stereotypes. It takes thousands of people from every background to care for England's heritage and open it up for everybody to enjoy. We're looking for every type of person with every kind of skill and experience, and we're committed to making sure that English Heritage is an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work. You can connect with others through our EDI networks as a member or ally. These include Ethnic Diversity, Faith & Belief, Social Equity, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergence, Age, Disability and Gender Health and Wellbeing.

We take wellbeing seriously. We are committed to ensuring everyone feels safe at work and can carry out their role. To support this, we have a network of Mental Health First aiders, regular information and awareness events, unlimited access to an Employee Assistance Programme and work with our people to implement reasonable adjustments.

If you would like to talk to us before you apply e.g. about workplace adjustments or working patterns, please contact Joley Baker, Site Manager, on joley.baker@english-heritage.org.uk. No agencies please.

Our interview and offer process will take place between 28th - 31st July 2025, with new starters joining as soon as possible.

Would you like to work for the charity that cares for hundreds of historic sites in every corner of England? We are looking for a Visitor Assistant to join us at Gainsborough Old Hall working 21 hours per week until 31st October 2025, with the possibility of extending.

No history background? No problem. What is important to us is a passion for people and excellent customer service. You will enjoy working with others as part of a team and understand what makes excellent customer service to deliver an engaging visitor experience to a diverse audience.

Heritage is for everybody, and we are here for heritage.

Heritage lives in places and people, memories and stories, artefacts and traditions. It can connect us all to the past, and to each other. It can make us happier, strengthen every community, and help shape society for the better. Everybody should be able to enjoy the benefits it brings. That's why, as a charity, we care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites in every part of England, from international icons to local treasures. And it's why we open them up, share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy, learn, play and create.

Gainsborough Old Hall is an imposing mansion largely built during the later 15th century. Developed into a fashionable Jacobean residence, the Hall subsequently fell on hard times. Parts of the hall served as a raucous theatre. Others were made into crammed tenements. It was even used as a pub. In the mid-20th century, local volunteers raised funds to restore Gainsborough Old Hall. It remains a much-loved community hub to this day.

Please note; due to the responsibilities and requirements of this role, successful applicants will be required to undergo a basic DBS check, any employment offer will be contingent on this.

By joining us as a Gainsborough Old Hall Visitor Assistant, you will be part of an amazing team of employees and volunteers, ensuring visitors have a great time from the moment they arrive until they say goodbye. Through your recommendations, you will help personalise their visit - this could include talking about the benefits of English Heritage membership or recommending things to see and do on site. You will also contribute to making sure your site is accessible, safe and well presented at all times.

It is a varied role - some days will be busy from start to finish and others quieter, especially on the wetter days! Some paid or voluntary experience with the public is beneficial but full training and support is provided as part of your induction. You will be required to work weekends and Bank Holidays, more information will be provided at interview.

Please ensure you fill all the question boxes fully.

Benefits include:

- Comprehensive training

- The opportunity for career progression within the heritage sector in retail, food and beverage or general management

- Apprenticeship opportunities

- Opportunities to go to some of our great live music and history events

- Free access to all English Heritage sites for you, and up to 6 friends and / or family members

- 25% discount in our shops and cafes

- Enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental leave

- 25 days' holiday plus Bank Holidays pro rata rising to 28 days after 3 years

- Options to buy additional leave

- Matched pension contributions up to a maximum of 10%

Find out more about us and what we do: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/ You can also meet some of our people and hear about why they enjoy working with us: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/our-people/careers-with-us/

Everybody's welcome at English Heritage

Forget the stereotypes. It takes thousands of people from every background to care for England's heritage and open it up for everybody to enjoy. We're looking for every type of person with every kind of skill and experience, and we're committed to making sure that English Heritage is an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work. You can connect with others through our EDI networks as a member or ally. These include Ethnic Diversity, Faith & Belief, Social Equity, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergence, Age, Disability and Gender Health and Wellbeing.

We take wellbeing seriously. We are committed to ensuring everyone feels safe at work and can carry out their role. To support this, we have a network of Mental Health First aiders, regular information and awareness events, unlimited access to an Employee Assistance Programme and work with our people to implement reasonable adjustments.

If you would like to talk to us before you apply e.g. about workplace adjustments or working patterns, please contact Joley Baker, Site Manager, on joley.baker@english-heritage.org.uk. No agencies please.

Our interview and offer process will take place between 28th - 31st July 2025, with new starters joining as soon as possible.

Disclaimer
Every effort is made to reproduce the original job advert faithfully but errors may occur. Job vacancies may be withdrawn or closed prior to the original date advertised any time. For the definitive listing and application instructions please see the original advert; you will be redirected to another website.
Pay and Terms
This position is part time, fixed term, and pays £12.39 hourly. You will be working for English Heritage at Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire.
Locations
You will be working for English Heritage at Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire.
About The Employer
English Heritage is a charity.