Hereford Cathedral
An inclusive church welcoming everyone
Volunteer Welcome Pack
THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND
ST ETHELBERT IN HEREFORD
Lynette Walker
Volunteers Officer
Tel: (01432) 374254
Fax: (01432) 374220
Email: jenny.lewis@herefordcathedral.org
www.herefordcathedral.org
The Cathedral Office
5 College Cloisters
HEREFORD
HR1 2NG
Date......
Dear Volunteer,
Volunteering at Hereford Cathedral
Hereford Cathedral would like to thank you for your enquiry to become a volunteer within our
vibrant community and Cathedral.
You will be given the full support, training and opportunities you need to make your voluntary
role with us a great success.
This welcome pack is designed to provide you with more information about volunteering at
Hereford Cathedral and is intended to compliment the Volunteer Handbook that you will be
given on commencement of your volunteering duties with us.
Please fill in the Volunteer Information Form at the back of this pack and return to me (Lynette
Walker, Volunteers Officer), at the address above. This will allow us to progress with your
application and contact you for further information.
We thank you once again for you interest in volunteering at Hereford Cathedral
With best wishes,
Lynette Walker
Volunteers Officer
Message from The Dean
Thankyou for considering becoming a volunteer at Hereford Cathedral.
Hereford Cathedral is a diverse community whose members participate in its mission and
ministry in a host of ways. More than 300 volunteers play their part in the day-to-day life of the
Cathedral.
The Cathedral recognises the immense benefits that volunteers bring.
This Welcome Pack is designed to help you. It is about knowledge, procedures and technical
information but above all it is about the Cathedral’s ministry of welcome and about your
possible role in representing the Cathedral and all that is stands for.
The Very Reverend Michael Tavinor, Dean of Hereford.
*********************
MISSION STATEMENT
Hereford Cathedral’s mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ in the City and Diocese of
Hereford, and in the wider world, by serving and inspiring all those who encounter this sacred
place and our community.
******************
HISTORY
A Cathedral has stood on this site since early Saxon times and is home to a community which
has worshipped and worked together here continuously for well over 1200 years. It is a place
where the mission of the church to proclaim Christ’s love is central and visitors and pilgrims are
especially welcome
Today’s building contains some of the finest examples of architectural excellence from Norman
times up to the present day including the Romanesque Nave, the beautifully restored Shrine of
St Thomas of Hereford in the North Transept, the ancient South Transept and the awardwinning twentieth-century New Library Building. The world famous Hereford Mappa Mundi and
Chained Library Exhibition are both housed here.
Hereford Cathedral is not only a place of worship but a centre of beauty, hospitality and history.
HEREFORD CATHEDRAL’S VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY
There is a wide community of volunteers at Hereford Cathedral. Below are the main areas of
volunteering within the Hereford Cathedral Community:
Welcomers
Flower arrangers
Gardeners
Cathedral Guides
Tower Guides
Garden Guides
Mappa Mundi & Chained Library
Broderers
Catering Committee
Sunday Coffee
Education
Library and Archives
Launderers
Liturgical
Servers
Retail
Stewards
Sunday School
Maintenance
Voluntary Choir
Bellringers
If you would like to find out more about any of these volunteering areas before making your
application please contact Lynette Walker, Volunteers Officer (contact details on the letter at
the front of this pack).
Many thanks for your enquiry!
THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND
ST ETHELBERT IN HEREFORD
VOLUNTEER POLICY
Hereford Cathedral especially values and respects the time, skills and enthusiasm of its
volunteers and actively encourages their participation and involvement in the day to day life of
the Cathedral.
This policy is guided by the following principles:
Our commitment to volunteers
Hereford Cathedral is committed to encouraging the following good practices:
 Equal opportunities and promoting anti-discriminatory practice. Volunteering is open to
everyone!
 Volunteers should not be used to replace or reduce the work of paid employees.
 Paid employees and volunteers should work positively with one another.
 To provide support, encouragement and training for volunteers to achieve personal
development.
 Volunteers are given satisfying and rewarding opportunities.
 Volunteers are given information about Hereford Cathedral and a clear description of the
tasks they have agreed to undertake.
 Volunteers will be allocated a Team Leader whom they can approach to discuss any
problems or concerns.
 The volunteer’s work will be reviewed at regular intervals.
 Volunteers will be made aware of the relevant screening checks such as references and
Disclosure Barring Service checks.
 Volunteers work in a safe and healthy environment as far as reasonably practicable.
 Volunteers are made aware of all the relevant policies and are enabled to understand
and implement them.
 Volunteers will be covered by the relevant insurance policies of Hereford Cathedral.
 Volunteers may have access to their own personal records held by Hereford Cathedral.
 The Cathedral expresses its appreciation of the volunteer’s contribution.
Volunteer Commitment to Hereford Cathedral
Hereford Cathedral expects volunteers to:
 Be committed to the aims and mission of Hereford Cathedral
 To carry out the tasks they have agreed to undertake and to inform Hereford Cathedral of
any changes in their circumstances which may affect their ability to volunteer.
 To maintain confidentiality in all aspects of their work and to comply with all Hereford
Cathedral’s policies.
 To undertake training where it is a requirement of the tasks they have agreed to do.
 Understand that Hereford Cathedral is a non party-political and a fully inclusive
organization. Volunteers who work for the organisation should not attempt to promote
cultural or political views whilst in work.
 Promote positive relationships within the Cathedral community and towards visitors.
 Co-operate with colleagues and the Cathedral’s Management Team.
 Meet agreed time commitments, or arrange a swap as necessary.
 Be responsible for personal belongings whilst on duty.
 Inform your Team Leader, or the Cathedral Main Office of any changes in your name,
contact details or emergency contacts.
 Observe a standard of behaviour and dress appropriate to this role and place of worship
whilst on the duty at the cathedral
 Be respectful, polite and courteous to all the members of the Cathedral’s community and
Management Team.
Ending a Volunteer’s period of service
It is hoped that volunteers and the Cathedral will have a long and mutually rewarding
relationship. On occasion though, it may be necessary to end a volunteer’s period of service.
Individuals will always be consulted as part of the process and their views considered. The
volunteer or the Cathedral may end their period of service at any time although it is good
practice, where possible, to provide a month’s notice.
Unacceptable conduct
Unacceptable conduct by a volunteer includes, but is not restricted to theft, dishonesty,
violence, obscene and/or offensive language, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
damage to property belonging to the Cathedral, visitor, employee or other volunteers. Any such
act will result in the volunteer’s service being ended.
THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND
ST ETHELBERT IN HEREFORD
Complaints/Grievance procedure for volunteers
Stage 1-Oral complaint
Initial complaints, whether against a member of staff, the Cathedral, or another volunteer, will
be discussed with the volunteer by the volunteer’s Head of Department. If oral the complaint is
about the volunteer’s Head of Department, then the matter will be escalated through the
Cathedral’s management structure.
If the issues cannot be resolved at this stage then the volunteers should proceed to stage 2.
Stage 2- In writing
If the volunteer is not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint, they should make a formal
complaint in writing to their Head of Department. Within 2 weeks of the receipt of this written
complaint by the volunteer’s Head of Department a meeting will be held between the volunteer
and the Head of Department to discuss the content of the written complaint.
If the volunteer is not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting in stage 2 then they should
proceed to stage 3.
Stage 3- Opportunity to appeal
If the volunteer is not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting outlined in stage 2 they can
appeal to Chapter, who will assign an Investigating Officer. A meeting will take place between
the Investigating Officer and the volunteer within 2 weeks of the complaint being escalated to
stage 3. The volunteer can have a nominated person present at this meeting. Chapter will
respond within 2 weeks of the meeting taking place and their decision is final.
Hereford Cathedral
Volunteer Information Form
Title..............Name..........................................................................................................
Address............................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
Post Code....................................................................
Date of Birth...............................................................
Telephone............................................................Mobile......................................................
E-mail............................................................................
Are you:
in work
seeking work
retired
other
?
Previous or present occupation or experience
.................................................................................................................................................
Which volunteering role(s) are you interested in?..................................................................
How much time are you willing to commit each week/month?...............................................
On which days of the week are you NOT available? (Please put a cross in the relevant boxes)
Sunday am
Monday
pm
am
Tuesday am
Wednesday am
pm
pm
pm
Thursday am
Friday am
Saturday am
pm
pm
pm
Would you be happy to be contacted about helping with one-off events and projects as well as your
regular commitment? ( Stewarding for concerts, festivals, and outdoor events)
YES
NO
Do you speak any other languages? ..............................................................................................................
Specialist Interest/Skills (eg. architecture/stained glass/flora & fauna, touring for visually impaired
people):
........................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................
Is there anything we need to know about your general state of health, or anything which may affect
your ability to carry out your responsibilities?
........................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................
Please give the name and address of two referees who have known you for at least two years. One may
be a present or past employer, or your parish priest.
Reference 1
Reference 2
Name..............................................................
Name...............................................................
Address...........................................................
Address.............................................................
........................................................................
..........................................................................
....................................Post Code.....................
......................................Post Code...................
Telephone no.................................................
Telephone no....................................................
E-mail.............................................................
E-mail...............................................................
In the event of an emergency, we may need to contact a friend or relation. Please supply the contact
details of two such people.
Contact 1
Contact 2
Name..............................................................
Name.................................................................
Relationship...................................................
Relationship.......................................................
Address...........................................................
Address...............................................................
........................................................................
...........................................................................
...................................Post Code.....................
..................................Post Code.........................
Telephone no.................................................
Telephone no......................................................
E-mail.............................................................
E-mail..................................................................
I declare that the information I have supplied is correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and
understand that the provision of incorrect or misleading information may result in my role as a volunteer
being terminated.
I have read and understood the Cathedral’s Child Protection Code of Practice. I understand that it is my
duty to protect the children and young people with whom I come into contact whilst undertaking my
duties in the Cathedral and its environs. I know what action to take if abuse is suspected or disclosed. I
have completed a Confidential Declaration Form, and understand that certain volunteering duties may
require me to fill in a Disclosure and Barring Service form.
I have received a copy of the Volunteers’ Handbook.
I agree to attend the necessary training for the volunteer role(s) I choose.
I understand that there will be a trial period of 3 months.
Signature__________________________________
Date_______________________
This information is required for our administration purposes and will not be disclosed to a third party
without written consent from the individual whose information is held on these sheets.