Volunteer Receptionist

Volunteer Centre Harlow; Colchester; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local community service organization in Colchester seeks a volunteer for the reception team to provide phone and reception services. Responsibilities include handling phone calls, overseeing courier deliveries, assisting patients, and managing cash transactions. No prior reception experience necessary as training will be provided. Ideal candidates should be able to remain calm in high-pressure situations, with basic email and computer skills required. The role offers flexible volunteering hours to accommodate availability.

Qualifications

• Experience of working on reception desirable but not essential as training will be given.
• Ability to email internally and general use of computer systems.
• Be able to remain calm in difficult situations.

Responsibilities

• Receive telephone calls through the main switchboard.
• Oversee the deliveries and collections of the couriers.
• Frank the site’s post and label parcels for post.
• Pre-book patient visits and ensure visitors sign in.
• Escort and direct patients and visitors to the ward area.
• Remind visitors to leave and ensure proper hygiene.
• Ensure visitors dispose of any used PPE appropriately.
• Accept cash for goods and record on appropriate paperwork.
• Accept cash donations and validate in the presence of the donor.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.

Skills

Experience of working on reception

Ability to email internally

Ability to remain calm in difficult situations

Job description

From January 2026 we are looking for a volunteer to participate as an active member of the reception team, providing telephone and reception services to The Hospice.

Main duties of the role

• Receive telephone calls through the main switchboard, transfer as required or take messages to be relayed either by email, written message or by hand delivery.
• Oversee the deliveries and collections of the couriers.
• Frank the site’s post each day and label parcels with the appropriate documentation for the requested postal service, as and when necessary.
• Pre-book patient visits as appropriate to the visiting policy and ensure that when visitors arrive they sign in, sanitise their hands and wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Escort and direct patients and visitors round to the ward area.
• Maintain a professional approach when reminding visitors to leave, asking them to remove PPE and ensure they wash their hands before leaving the building.
• Ensure visitors dispose of any used PPE according to instructions.
• Accept cash for purchase of goods and record on appropriate paperwork.
• Accept cash donations at reception and validate in the presence of the donator. Ensure that the details of the donor are taken and passed to the fundraising team.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.

Skills

• Experience of working on reception desirable but not essential as training will be given.
• Ability to email internally and general use of computer systems.
• Be able to remain calm in difficult situations.

No additional details recorded for this opportunity.

When can I volunteer?

Start Date: 03/12/2025

End Date: 01/01/2027

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Morning No No No No No No No

Afternoon No No No No No No No

Evening No No No No No No No

Availability Details

Volunteering at St Helena is very flexible and we will work around your availability.

Location

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