JORVIK Viking Festival Visitor Welcome Volunteers
What is the JORVIK Viking Festival?
Organised by York Archaeology, the JORVIK Viking Festival is an annual celebration of York’s Viking heritage with events across the city centre. A program of expert talks, re enactments, family events, feasts, fairs and more has attracted visitors to York from across the world for over forty years.
What do Visitor Welcome Volunteers do?
Visitor Welcome volunteers get involved on our volunteer-run information stands, helping to meet and greet visitors, offer directions and answer visitor questions. Volunteers also have the option to support elsewhere in the Festival, such as stewarding or at our family events.
Where Will I Be Volunteering?
Volunteering will primarily be on our volunteer-run Information Hubs, at the heart of the Viking Festival on our Viking encampments. This is an outside position (though shelter is provided in the form of a gazebo or tent), so applicants should be comfortable volunteering in an outdoor environment in winter. In particularly harsh weather the Information Hub position may be moved to a marquee or other venue.
Branded jackets and fleeces will be provided. For anyone with difficulties volunteering in cold weather, we can assist in signposting opportunities which take place indoors.
Who does the role suit?
This is an ideal role for anyone who enjoys an active and public-facing role, communicating with and answering questions from large numbers of visitors from a diverse range of backgrounds. It would suit anyone who would like hands-on experience welcoming visitors at a large-scale heritage event, or who wants to be a part of the JORVIK Viking Festival.
Induction, Training & Support
To ensure the delivery of safe and legally compliant events some training is required of all volunteers.
Training materials are provided where possible in video format to allow volunteers to learn at their own pace. All volunteers will be invited to attend a remote or in-person welcome and briefing session. Recorded briefings will be provided to those unable to attend.
Inductions to our attractions are offered ahead of the Festival where possible, giving an opportunity to become familiar with our sites and to meet staff and other volunteers.
Support day to day will be given by the Volunteering Team, Events Team and Site Managers.
What Will I Gain from Volunteering?
Meet new people : You will be part of a friendly team of volunteers and staff at the Viking Festival, which each year attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world to York.
Contribute to the work of York Archaeology : As an educational charity, our volunteers help us engage visitors in our attractions and events with the history and archaeology of York and enhance visitor experiences.
Be part of a unique event : JORVIK Viking Festival is one of the largest and longest-running events of its kind in Europe. Volunteers get involved on our visitor welcome and family craft stands to help and help us engage people with the full programme of re-enactment, family events, expert talks and more taking place through the week of the JORVIK Viking Festival.
Learn something new : Gain hands-on experience of events, festivals and customer engagement in a heritage setting.
Hours & Involvement
A flexible rota is offered for volunteers to sign up to the sessions they wish to get involved at, with sessions typically running between 2-3 hours from 8th-14th February 2027.
Uniform
We ask volunteers to wear warm clothing suitable for outdoor activities. Smart casual clothing such as jeans and smart trainers are welcome, we just ask you to avoid some items of clothing such as ripped jeans and band t-shirts. Branded jackets or fleeces and volunteer lanyards will also be provided to you to identify you as part of the Festival team.
As volunteering on the Visitor Information Hubs will take place outside in February we advise warm, comfortable clothing and sensible footwear suitable for adverse weather.
Support & Assistance
We are committed to offering accessible roles and encourage applicants to let us know if they have any support or access amendments they would like to discuss.
All volunteers are able to reclaim travel expenses up to £10.00 a day. Further information can be found in our Volunteer Expenses Policy.
Contact
York Archaeology is committed to reflecting the diversity of our audiences and reducing barriers to volunteering. If you are interested in volunteering but have questions, including about support or access needs, that you’d like to ask before applying please contact our friendly volunteering team by emailing volunteer@yorkat.co.uk or calling 01904 952320.
