Shop and Refectory

Volunteers in the Cathedral Gift Shop are important both as part of the welcoming face of the Cathedral and for their help with the vital role of raising money to help cover the cost of maintaining our fabric and mission.

As part of the Cathedral’s welcome, shop volunteers need to be helpful and friendly and comfortable with serving customers.

Prior experience of shop work is not necessary although it is always helpful. Training is given but because of the nature of the work shop volunteers also need some special qualities including the following:

• to be comfortable with modern technology (a computer-linked till and credit card machine);
• to be comfortable with handling money;
• to be capable of working under a little bit of stress at particularly busy times;
• to be capable of working without constant supervision;
• to be prepared to work at least one half day per week and to consider the odd extra shift if we are short of staff; and
• to be prepared to help out with other work as and when required, for example, light cleaning duties, stock counting, shelf filling, pricing goods, errands, possibly even admin work.

The Refectory volunteers are a dedicated, loyal and hard working team following the Cathedral’s Benedictine inspired tradition of hospitality to pilgrims and visitors.

Their outward-facing role makes a huge difference to the guests’ experience of Norwich Cathedral. When guests are made to feel welcome and looked after attentively and cheerfully, such basic tasks can lead to friendly openings.

Since the Refectory became involved with helping train City College students, Refectory volunteers have also enjoyed helping these young people develop their potential.

Help is particularly needed for the busy lunchtime period but also at special functions during the day or in the evenings.

The Cathedral is also particularly grateful for the contribution Refectory volunteers make to Cathedral finances since all help provided by volunteers avoids the need to call upon extra paid staff.

This is a pool of volunteers who help on an ad hoc basis with those occasional events which are the responsibility of the Cathedral itself, as distinct from the Refectory. These include refreshments after confirmation services, the installation of Honorary Canons and other special occasions.

Offers are always gratefully received from those interesting in either:

• helping with serving or
• making food in advance (such as cakes, sausage rolls).

Both regular worshippers and visitors are very appreciative of the opportunity to chat over coffee after the Sunday morning 10.30am Sung Eucharist. We are always glad of more volunteer helpers.

It is not an onerous task and no special skills are required. Volunteers are usually called upon no more than three or four times a year.

Volunteers need to be at the Cathedral three quarters of an hour before the service to set up, and be able to stay on to clear away after the coffee has been served.

Help is given in familiarising new volunteers with the coffee machines.