Hereford Cathedral
An inclusive church welcoming everyone
Volunteer Opportunities
Message from The Dean
Thank you 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 Volunteering Opportunities pack is designed to help you. It aims to give you more
information about the variety of volunteering roles within the Cathedral and about your
possible role in representing the Cathedral and all that it 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.
We greatly appreciate your consideration to volunteer your time and talents to Hereford
Cathedral. New volunteers are most welcome and volunteering vacancies are advertised on the
Cathedral’s website: www.herefordcathedral.org
If you would like to find out more about volunteering and the opportunities we have here at the
Cathedral please contact the Volunteers Officer, Jenny Lewis
jenny.lewis@herefordcathedral.org, (01432) 374254.
HEREFORD CATHEDRAL’S VOLUNTEERING 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
Launderers
Liturgical
Servers
Retail
Stewards
Sunday School
Maintenance
Voluntary Choir
Bellringers
As part of your volunteering experience with us you will be given the full support, training and
opportunities you need to make your voluntary role with us a great success.
Please find below a summary of current possibilities within the Cathedral:
Cathedral Guide: The role of the Cathedral Guide is to inform and inspire guests. The Cathedral
currently offers daily tours and pre-booked tours throughout the year and Guides explain the
history and points of interest throughout the Cathedral. Prospective Guides undertake a course
of study, preparation and assessment by a Senior Guide and are given full support and
mentoring to fulfill this important role. Guides need to have an outgoing personality, readily and
happily engage with visitors and show awareness for a group’s needs. Being able to work on
your own and as part of a team is essential.
Welcomers and Blue Gowns: We value the presence of volunteers at the Cathedral door who
will welcome our visitors and pilgrims. This is highly valued by those who come to Hereford and
helps promote our Cathedral as a friendly and inclusive place to visit. Welcomers or ‘Blue
Gowns’ help members of the public with enquiries and questions and the Welcome Desk and
can also be seen at the North Porch Entrance. Welcomers are on hand to answer a wide range
of questions and are present to signpost visitors. By becoming a Welcomer you will become an
important volunteer amongst a family of Welcomers so the ability to work on your own and as
part of a team is essential.
Garden Guides and Gardeners: The role of the Garden Guide is to inform and inspire visitors to
enjoy the beauty of the gardens at Hereford Cathedral, including the Bishop’s Palace. The
cathedral currently offers daily tours and pre-booked tours throughout the year. Prospective
Guides undertake a course of study, preparation and assessment by a Senior Guide and are
given full support and mentoring to fulfill this role. Guides need an outgoing personality and
should readily and happily engage with groups. Garden tours take place on Wednesday and
Saturday afternoons from June-September. Pre-booked tours operate throughout the whole
year. Volunteers can also be involved in the upkeep of the gardens by caring for each of the four
gardens within the cathedral.
Tower Guides: The Tower Tours are fascinating and offer visitors the opportunity to view the
Cathedral from a very different perspective. The tours take in the bellower, clock and end up at
the top of the tower, allowing visitors to enjoy the breathtaking views of Hereford City and the
surrounding areas. Prospective guides undertake a course of study, preparation and assessment
by a Senior Guide and are given full support and mentoring to fulfill this role. THIS ROLE DOES
REQUIRE THE APPLICANT TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT AS THEY WILL BE GOING UP AND DOWN 218
STEPS TWICE A DAY.
Mappa Mundi & Chained Library: Stewards provide information to visitors and keep a watchful
eye on exhibits. Volunteers also sell tickets at the entrance desk and meet and greet visitors.
Catering Committee: Volunteers assist in the café which is open Monday to Saturday (and
occasionally on Sundays). They will greet visitors, serve, clear tables, wash up and operate the
tills. Volunteers in the catering committee can also be involved in large events at the Cathedral
that includes catering, such as the annual Flower Festival.
Education: Volunteers help children aged 4-18 years of age with workshop activities, or to lead
trails and events. The commitment is infrequent (at the most two days per week during term
time)
Launderers: They assist in Cathedral worship by ensuring that the linen used in Holy
Communion is carefully washed and ironed.
Servers: The team takes a part in worship by carrying the cross, candles and assisting at the
Eucharist.
Stewards: Volunteer Stewards greet the congregation at the service, give out books, take the
collection and tidy up after the services.
Maintenance: A group meets three-four times a year to spend a Saturday morning keeping the
Cathedral Close in pristine condition.
Flower arrangers: Prospective volunteers will be joining a highly skilled team who create
beautiful flower arrangements all year round in the Cathedral. The Flower Arrangers also create
arrangements for events, festivals, special services and memorials. A probationary period will be
undertaken by new volunteers.
Bellringers: The band meets regularly for practice as well as ringing the bells at the main
services.
Broderers: Volunteers embroider and create new vestments and frontals as well as repairing the
Cathedral’s collections. Volunteers undertake a probationary period and will be mentored by a
Senior Borderer.
Sunday Coffee: Volunteers will help provide refreshments for the congregation after the Sunday
Eucharist as well and help with the setting out and clearing away.
Library and Archives: Hereford Cathedral Library & Archives provide a unique research facility
for readers and scholars. This cultural resource, formed over many hundreds of years, continues
to develop. It includes a historic collection of medieval manuscripts, early printed books, a
substantial archive of cathedral activities from medieval times to the present day, and a modern
reference and lending library. Volunteers are required to help run this centre.
Retail: The Cathedral has a shop and café which are open Monday-Saturday (10am-4pm Winter,
10am-5pm Summer). Volunteers are welcome to help run these busy retail areas of the
Cathedral.
Sunday School: The Hereford Cathedral Sunday School is a busy and fun place for the children to
come to during the Cathedral Eucharist Children up to 11 years of age gather in the Sunday
school room in the college cloister every Sunday at 10am. Volunteers are welcome to help run
this fun and vibrant group.
Voluntary Choir: Hereford Cathedral Voluntary Choir was formed in 2000, primarily to sing
services at the cathedral on some occasions during the year when the cathedral choir is not
available. As well as covering a number of Sundays each year, the choir has sung at weddings,
given concerts around the county and recorded for local radio, including BBC Hereford and
Worcester’s broadcast Christmas services in 2005. Membership of the choir is by informal
audition, and enquiries are always welcome. Further information may be obtained from the
director, Peter Dyke (peter.dyke@herefordcatherdal.org)
THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND
ST ETHELBERT IN HEREFORD
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.