Halifax Minster looking for volunteers to join its team of ‘welcomers’

As its name suggest, the role involves welcoming visitors to this important and celebrated building, where history stretches back for more than nine centuries.

Welcomers work in two-hour shifts but their time is flexible; they can chose to volunteer once a week, once a fortnight or once a month, whichever suits them.

Vicar of Halifax Minster, Rev Canon Hilary Barber, said: “The Minster is proud to welcome thousands of visitors a year. We are getting busier and busier and we are now looking to add to our team of welcomers, who can be a friendly face and greet visitors as they come into the building.

“We’d love to hear from people who are interested in working in a place full of heritage and history and would have a real pride in being part of the Minster team.

“Every day at the Minster we have something different going on with a real variety of people coming through our doors. It could be school groups coming to visit, people attending a concert or recital or people attending a funeral.

"It’s important that whoever they are, they receive a friendly welcome.

"We are looking for our welcomers to help out in the gift shop from time to time so anyone with retail experience would be a real boon.

“Volunteering can provide a useful source of work experience too.”

Welcomers work in pairs and need to be aged 18 and over and all training and a full induction, covering safeguarding and volunteering would be given. The Minster is open daily from 12pm to 4pm.

“Welcomers don’t need to be Christians or church members. The Minster belongs to everyone,” added Canon Barber.