Lead venue volunteer role

Christmas Cheer 2025

Join our volunteer family

Each year, our small team at Marmalade HQ are overwhelmed with how many kind people offer their time to support their community. Through our Christmas Cheer and Marmalade Connection projects, we reach out to those most at risk of loneliness, guiding them to vital support and empowering them to make new friendships and connections.

Joining us as a volunteer not only changes lives but also offers a chance to forge lasting friendships, enjoy meaningful experiences, and truly connect with your community. We are so grateful for the kindness and generosity of our volunteers, many of whom have been with us since the beginning! Marmalade volunteers say they feel supported and valued and enjoy meeting new, like-minded people.

Volunteers are at the heart of our Marmalade family, and we could not do what we do without you!

Role outline

As a Lead Venue Volunteer, you will be the lead volunteer, together with approx 1 or 2 others, at a specific hosting venue. Our Marmalade Trust Christmas Day events are held at venues (i.e. pubs or restaurants) in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. Our Event Coordinator will be working hard to secure several pubs / restaurants to use on Christmas Day. Each venue usually has between 12 and 40 project members attending, plus volunteers. Venues are unlikely to be within walking distance, and we will have a spread of venues across Bristol, South Glos and N Somerset.

The Lead Venue Volunteer role will involve:
From early December on:
● phoning project members, to let them know which venue they are attending
● confirming any dietary requirements with the venues,
● Working with the Marmalade Christmas Cheer to manage participant changes (project members and volunteers).
● collecting gifts from our office (“Santa sack with one gift per project member”) to drop off at the venue

On Christmas Day
● Getting to the venue before all participants
● checking the risk mitigation measures are in place,
● helping set up the tables/decorations/activities,
● checking in project members and volunteers on the , getting photo consent forms,
● making sure everyone is comfortable and taking plenty of photos
● Helping collect feedback on the day / venue
● then finally checking everyone is safely home, and reporting this to our staff member (Event Coordinator)
● There will also be an option to have a meal too.

Our project members

Our Marmalade members vary in age and ability, but all experience social isolation and/or loneliness and would otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day. Some of our members rarely leave home and could be feeling quite concerned about engaging with new people, so they will require a friendly face and supportive and reassuring volunteers around them.

Role criteria

Essential - You must:

Be over 18
Live in Bristol, South Gloucestershire or North Somerset
Have access to your own transport to get to the event (car/walk/cycle)
Be able to give two suitable references for a reference check (if a new volunteer)
Be able to complete an original photo ID check (for new volunteers)
Be able to attend a training session (either online via Zoom or in person)
Be able to arrive at the venue between 10–11am, before project members and other volunteers, and stay until everyone has left by 3 pm.

Please note, this role will need you to:

Be friendly and approachable – ensuring project members and other volunteers feel comfortable throughout the day.
Be a good listener and communicator – to effectively liaise with and support our project members, volunteers, and the venue.
Have an understanding of loneliness and the effect this can have on someone (i.e. loss of confidence in new social situations).

Commitment required

October 2025

Attend an online/in-person session to give you information on your role. This will also give you an opportunity to meet other volunteers
Receive confirmation on which venue you have been allocated
Contact project members to introduce yourself - exact details TBC

November 2025

Review the risk assessment for the venue and speak to the Event Coordinator about any actions that need to be taken
Familiarise yourself with check-in procedures, consent forms etc

December 2025

Receive details of volunteers and project members attending and any particular mobility or health issues
Collect gifts to take to the venue or storage
Collect table additions such as paper/ pencils / Christmas Quiz/ conversation starters plus crackers etc if not supplied by the venue

Christmas Eve

Check-in with other volunteers (if needed)

Christmas Day

Arrive at the venue around 10–11am, before project members arrive to make sure they are greeted and that everything is in place
Check project members and volunteers in and get photo consent forms signed
Create a warm and friendly environment for members upon arrival ensuring all transport arrangements go smoothly
Follow up with staff if there are any issues regarding food or volunteers/members have not arrived
Use your phone or camera to take photos of the event
Ensure gifts are given out at the end of the meal
Ensure project members get transport home and check out on the register
Receive text messages from Event/Driver volunteers stating they and their members arrived home safely
Verbally thank the venue staff
Finish around 15:00, and confirm with the Event Coordinator you have left the venue.
Inform Event Coordinator that all volunteers and project members are home safely (this must be completed by 16:00).

What we offer

You will make a difference to the lives of older people in Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire
You will be part of an event which is often a catalyst for change for many of our members to reconnect with their communities
You will develop new skills
You will be a valued part of our Marmalade family.

How to apply

If you meet the essential criteria above and would like to volunteer with us, please complete the volunteer form on our website here. If you have any queries about the roles please contact
Email: Christmas@marmaladetrust.org | Phone: 07566 244 788

Once your application has been submitted please do check your email (and junk) for the next steps. Your patience is appreciated as we are a small team.

Please note: this role is now full. You can still get involved by applying to volunteer with our year-round Marmalade Connections project.