Retail Counter Assistant

Details

• Accessibility
  The Watercress Line has a range of facilities and we try to make the railway as accessible as possible, given the nature of our heritage buildings, outdoor areas and rolling stock. However, accessibility is not always feasible. For catering, all our on-station outlets are easily accessible (on- or mostly on-the-flat) although some access routes include steps/staircases (e.g. Alton, however at Alton there are also lifts).
• Age restrictions
  16 years old is the minimum age for Watercress Line volunteers. If the role includes cash-handling or selling alcohol (as some Retail & Catering roles do) or is safety-critical (e.g. train operation) then the minimum (unsupervised) age is 18 years old.
• DBS check required
  Generally, no. However a basic DBS check is needed if your role is likely to involve regularly dealing with vulnerable people, for example: ● Leading or participating in activities for Junior Apprentices, young volunteers, visits of youth groups or special needs groups, etc. ● Supporting educational visits, managing lost children or showing any other young members of the public aspects of your WCL role.
• Equal Opportunities Policy
  The Watercress Line aims to be both an equal opportunity and an inclusive organisation, and to build diverse volunteer teams. WCL believes that volunteering should be open to all regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, marital status, age, religion, community background or political beliefs. Pls see the WCL Volunteer Handbook.
• Expenses reimbursed
  The Watercress Line is unable to pay you expenses for attending the line for routine duty, as we need to reserve our funds for conserving and maintaining our infrastructure, equipment and rolling stock. However, if occasional special duties arise, subject to manager approval expenses may be reimbursed. (Details in our Volunteer Handbook.)
• Health and Safety Policy
  The Watercress Line has a Safety Management System to which you will be introduced in your training if appropriate to your volunteer role, and to which you will need to adhere.
• Ongoing support
  All Watercress Line heads of department and team leaders provide volunteers with ongoing support. Leaders and all team members encourage team-work and day-to-day personal support within teams, so that as a volunteer you can feel involved and proud of your role.
• Training provided
  All Watercress Line volunteers are given the necessary basic training, typically on-the-job, to equip them to do your role. Training may include a suitable test of your new competence - and you may be periodically retested to maintain the necessary standard.
• Volunteer induction
  All Watercress Line teams provide some induction - the extent and formality of the induction will depend upon your role.
• Volunteer Policy
  The Watercress Line has an up-to-date Volunteer Handbook that cover all aspects of our volunteer policies.
• Volunteers covered by insurance
  The Watercress Line holds both public liability and employers insurance and its volunteers are protected by both these insurances for injury suffered by our volunteers or caused by our volunteers.
• Written role description
  Yes, here is the simple, clear 1-page document for this role: https://watercressline.co.uk/volunteer/retail-counter-assistant/ A Volunteer Role Description (VRD) exists for each Watercress Line volunteer role. It is a 1-page template-formatted document. The VRD for this Retail Counter Assistant is also available on request and is issued to new volunteers at their induction.

When can I volunteer?