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Lead venue volunteer role
Christmas Cheer 2024
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 Companion 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.
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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 approximately one or two others, at a specific hosting venue. Our Christmas Cheer events are held at venues (i.e. pubs or restaurants) in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. This year we anticipate holding Christmas Day events in 5 or 6 venues for 130 members, supported by volunteers.
The role will involve liaising with members and venues about any dietary requirements, checking the risk mitigation measures are in place, collecting hampers to drop off at the venue, helping set up the tables/decorations/activities, checking in members and volunteers, getting photo consent forms, making sure everyone is comfortable and taking plenty of photos then finally checking everyone is safely home, and reporting this to our staff member. There will also be an option to have a meal too.​​​
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Our 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:
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Be over 18
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Live in Bristol, South Gloucestershire or North Somerset
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Have access to your own transport to get to the event (car/walk/cycle)
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Be able to give two suitable references for a reference check (if a new volunteer)
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Be able to complete an original photo ID check (for new volunteers)
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Be able to attend a training session (either online via Zoom or in person)
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Be able to be at the venue around 11 a.m., before the members and other volunteers arrive, and stay until everyone has left by 3 pm.
Please note, this role will need you to:
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Be friendly and approachable – ensuring members and other volunteers feel comfortable throughout the day.
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Be a good listener and communicator – to effectively liaise with and support our members, volunteers, and the venue.
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Have an understanding of loneliness and the effect this can have on someone (i.e. loss of confidence in new social situations).
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Commitment required
October 2024
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Attend an online/in-person session to give you information on your role. This will also give you an opportunity to meet other volunteers
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Receive confirmation on which venue you have been allocated
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Contact members to introduce yourself - exact details TBC
November 2024
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Review the risk assessment for the venue and speak to the Event Coordinator about any actions that need to be taken
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Familiarise yourself with check-in procedures, consent forms etc
December 2024
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Receive details of volunteers and members attending and any particular mobility or health issues
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Collect hamper gifts to take to the venue or storage
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Collect table additions such as paper/pencils / Christmas Quiz/conversation starters plus crackers etc if not supplied by the venue
Christmas Eve
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Check-in with other volunteers (if needed)
Christmas Day
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Arrive at the venue at 11:00 before members arrive to make sure they are greeted and that everything is in place
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Check members and volunteers in and get photo consent forms signed
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Create a warm and friendly environment for members upon arrival ensuring all transport arrangements go smoothly
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Follow up with staff if there are any issues regarding food or volunteers/members have not arrived
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Use your phone or camera to take photos of the event
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Give out hamper gifts at the end of the meal
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Ensure members get transport home and check out on the register
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Receive text messages from Event/Driver volunteers stating they and their members arrived home safely
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Verbally thank the venue staff
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Finish around 15:00, and confirm with the Marmalade team you have left the venue.
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Inform Event Coordinator that all volunteers and members are home safely (this must be completed by 16:00).
How to apply
If you meet the essential criteria above and would like to volunteer with us, please complete the volunteer form. If you have any queries about the roles please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Helen Ker-Bridges: Christmas@marmaladetrust.org | Phone: ​07942 359343. Once your application has been received, we will aim to contact you within 10 days to confirm availability and discuss your role. Your patience is appreciated as we are a small team. Thank you!
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** This volunteer role has now been filled **
Other volunteering roles
This role involves collecting two members on Christmas Day and driving them to one of our host venues. You'll enjoy a meal with other volunteers and members, and help create a warm, friendly, inclusive environment. You'll transport members back home from the venue safely.
Perfect for: Friendly, reliable people with a car, keen to spread some Christmas cheer
This role involves driving one or ideally two members from their homes, driving them to one of our host venues, and driving them home again afterwards. This role is suited to volunteers who can spare approximately one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon on Christmas Day.
Perfect for: Friendly people with a car and around two hours to spare on Christmas Day
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This role involves hosting a Christmas Cheer event at a local pub or restaurant with one or two others. You'll liaise with members and venues, collect hampers before the event, help set up the venue as well as other important jobs to ensure the day runs smoothly for volunteers and members.
Perfect for: Organised, friendly and reliable people who make others feel special
This role involves visiting two of our members on Christmas Day, having a chat on the doorstep and delivering a festive hamper gift. Find out how they are and bring a bit of Christmas cheer. Some of our members are unable to attend one of our events, so a doorstep visit can really make their day!
Perfect for: Friendly, reliable people keen to spread some Christmas cheer
