Volunteer Information - Great Yarmouth Open Christmas 2019

Due to the change of venue, legislation and insurance accountabilities, this year’s Open Christmas will, by necessity, be a shorter, more streamlined event.

Venue: Great Yarmouth Minster, Church Plain  NR30 1NE with meal preparation and cooking taking place at the nearby Priory Centre.

It is important that anyone who wishes to volunteer registers beforehand, including partners and children over 16, who MUST complete a separate registration form. This gives us an indication of the numbers of volunteers to expect on the shifts each day. 

Children under the age of 16 years MUST be accompanied by an adult, but do not need to register (just tell us if you are bringing any when you register).

No one under the age of 18 years will be allowed in the kitchen.

Where possible we will allocate volunteers to tasks they are experienced in, but cannot guarantee this.

Once we have the required number of people registered we will close the registration process. 

Note that we cannot arrange lifts to and from the venue for volunteers. Please make your own travel arrangements.

Health and Safety:
In line with Health and Safety practice, a Risk Assessment has been produced giving guidelines on safe working practices for all volunteers. Copies will be available for volunteers to read, however please use common sense when engaged in any activities or if in doubt speak to one of the organisers.


Food Hygiene Certificate:
If you have a current Food Hygiene/Safety certificate at Level 2 or above, please tick the box on the Volunteer Registration form. Although not essential, as those serving food will be briefed on a safe system of serving, Environmental Health would prefer that anyone handling/serving food holds a current Food Hygiene/Safety certificate.

First Aid Certificate:
If you have a current First Aid certificate, please tick the box on the Volunteer Registration form.  Although we expect St John’s Ambulance to be in attendance, it is helpful to know that we have sufficient first aiders to cover the anticipated number of guests.

Security:
To identify volunteers from guests we will provide lanyards or labels for you to put your name on so identifying you as a volunteer.

Please be vigilant and report to security or the organisers any theft, anti-social behaviour and/or the consumption of drugs and alcohol on the premises.

We advise you NOT to bring valuables, mobile phones, expensive coats, etc, to the event, but if you do, DO NOT leave them unattended. They are your responsibility! 

The Organisers:
The organisers will be at the venue over the three days and will be identifiable by their orange Hi-Vis vests.

Please go to them with any questions, comments or concerns you may have.

Privacy Policy: 
Please read the Privacy Policy on our website, however to comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) please be assured that all your details/consent will be deleted from our records by 6th January 2020.

Timetable

Christmas Eve  8am - 2pm

  • Food preparation at the Priory Centre.
  • ‘Goodie Bags’ prepared at the Minster.
  • Tables and chairs delivered + other items, cutlery, plates, urns, etc. These to be stored within the Minster.

We require 8 – 10 volunteers to attend to help with these tasks.


Christmas Day 10.45am – 4pm 


PRIORY:
  • 8am  Food preparation begins
  • 9am  Transport Desk opens

MINSTER:

  • 10:45am  Volunteers arrive to set out tables and chairs and decorations
 
  • 11:30am   Guests start arriving. Tea and coffee served.
 
  • 12:15pm  Briefings for those volunteers serving lunch and waiting on tables.
 
  • 12:30pm   Lunch. Food brought across from the Priory centre.

  • Volunteers take their lunch once guests all served first course.
 
  • 2pm   Entertainment/Raffle. Clean kitchen
 
  • 3pm  Home time. Distribution of ‘Goodie Bags’. 
 
  • 3.30pm Start dismantling tables, stacking chairs, etc.
 
  • 4pm   Event closes.




Friday 27th Dec 8am - 2pm

  • Generally clearing up and sweeping up.
 
  • Returning tables and chairs, cutlery, plates, etc
 
  • Storing items in the warehouse.


We require 8 – 10 volunteers to attend to help with these tasks.


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Your questions answered

  • We would have preferred to set up the tables and decorated them on Christmas Eve, but there is a Midnight service which is well attended, so the space allotted to the Open Christmas is being used for seating. The soonest we can set the tables up is after the morning service at around 10:45/11:00.
 
  • There is no access to the Minster for volunteers before 10:45 due to a Christmas service; however anyone who wishes to attend the service and then volunteer is welcome to do so.
 
  • Due to the morning service, and the time constraints this causes, the ‘Goodie Bags’ will be prepared on Christmas Eve and possibly the raffle prizes.
 
  • Once again, due to the time constraints, there will be no jumble, no bingo and no craft area.
 
  • Although lunch is being cooked at the Priory Centre, it is only a short distance from the Minster and will be wheeled in heated cabinets to the serving area. The temperature of the food will be taken in the kitchen and again prior to serving, to ensure that it meets foods standards regulations.
 
  • An extra electricity supply is being arranged by Great Yarmouth Borough Council specifically to supply the heated cabinets.


Volunteers briefing

There will be a briefing for all volunteers at:

Great Yarmouth Minster
Saturday 7th December at 10am

This is an opportunity to see the new venue, meet the organisers and fellow volunteers, find out more, discuss the plans and ask questions.