Play Cafe volunteer

The Minster is the principal church of the Isle of Wight, a Grade 1 listed building, and is a focus for both church and community from all parts of the Island. It is a venue for major church festivals, and recognises the distinctive nature of the Island community.As a place of worship, we host Island civic and major services welcoming around 700 people to our Remembrance Day Service.As a place of historic interest, we welcomed 30,000 visitors each year before the pandemic to discover our fascinating history going back almost 1000 years. Visitors also seek a quiet and reflective space for prayer or contemplation.As a spiritual focus for the Island we enjoy diverse occasions such as live music, theatre, community events and provide a point of engagement with those of other faiths or no faith. We regularly host exhibitions showcasing local artists and local history. The Minster is used as a place of learning providing lectures by local societies and as a space for educational visits.

Our weekday café provides refreshments and companionship for those visiting the Minster.The Minster is a registered charity and relies on volunteers in all areas of our work.

We welcome applications from people of all faith/no faith backgrounds for this role.

Our play café volunteers will be supporting our practitioner to deliver Play Café sessions initially in the Parish Hall and then moving to the Minster.

Play Café is a learning through play session for 0-5 year olds and their carers, it will involve messy play, music and practical sessions as well as stories and arts and crafts.

Volunteers will be expected to:

• Help set up the room ready for the sessions and encourage tidying up afterwards.
• Provide a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees and encouraging children and their carers to build fun and positive relationships with each other and the rest of the group.
• Support attendees to join in sessions and just get stuck in to what is going on.

Experience with young children would be an advantage in this role but not essential

We are looking for people who:

• Have a friendly, welcoming and approachable manner

• Are comfortable chatting to members of the public especially young children and families

• Previous experience of working with children would be an advantage

• Can work effectively in a team of volunteers

• Happy working independently under direction

Training will be given for this role including:

• Safeguarding and child protection

A full induction will also be carried out.

• Complete Basic DBS - before you can start your role

• Sign Confidential Declaration - before you can start your role

• Complete Basic Awareness or Foundation safeguarding modules (online) - before you can start your role

All volunteers must provide two references and will be subject to a DBS check before beginning the role.

• Diversity and equal opportunities policy
• Accessibility
• Age restrictions
• Child Protection
• Complaints Policy
• Confidentially Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Ongoing support
• Suitable for Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Suitable for Supported Volunteering
• Suitable for Under 16's
• Suitable for Under 18's
• Training provided
• Volunteers covered by insurance

Start Date: 08/01/2024

End Date: 12/01/2025

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Morning No Yes Yes No No No No

Afternoon No No No No No No No

Evening No No No No No No No

c/o Newport Parish Centre
6 Town Lane
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 1JU

Sight for Wight (formerly Isle of Wight Blind Society)