Cathedral Welcomers
The Cathedral Welcomer is, in many respects, the public face of Norwich Cathedral to our visitors. She/he is the first person met upon entry and usually the last person seen on leaving.
The Welcomers’ role is to greet visitors warmly, offer leaflets and information about the building and explain our need for donations. This is a vital ministry at the heart of our Benedictine inheritance of hospitality.
The Welcomer needs to be sensitive to the needs of the visitor; some want to engage in conversation and information about the Cathedral while others are coming in for peace and quiet or to pray.
Welcomers also staff the information desk, giving help to those who have questions about the Cathedral or city, or passing people on to the appropriate source of further information. Merchandise is also sold from the information desk and Welcomers need to be happy to use a till and handle money.
Full training is given and new recruits are always welcome.
Cathedral Guides
The Cathedral Guide is an integral part of our ministry of welcome, greeting visitors and encouraging donations and visits to the Shop and Refectory.
The main role of a Guide is to offer historical information and insight into the fabric and life of the cathedral, answering questions and being available at all times for conversation. Guides are given full training after which they take a test to ensure they have the necessary knowledge to show visitors around the Cathedral.
Guides lead tours of the building, both free daily tours and pre-booked tours which are chargeable. These tours should convey enthusiasm for the history of the Cathedral but also for the modern worshipping community and our outreach.
In short, a guide should be passionate about the Cathedral, in sympathy with our aims and able to communicate well on a variety of levels with all our visitors and pilgrims.
There are also opportunities for those able to take foreign language tours.