Factory Tour Guide Volunteer - Re‑Form Heritage – Middleport Pottery
Re‑Form Heritage has achieved the GOLD Volunteer Quality Standard Award through VAST, recognising our commitment to high‑quality volunteering.
We are recruiting Factory Tour Guide Volunteers to welcome visitors and deliver guided factory tours at Middleport Pottery, ensuring every visitor has an excellent and informative experience.
Purpose of the Role
To meet, greet, and welcome factory tour groups (typically around 10 people), explain the format and duration of the tour, and deliver a detailed guided tour of the site.
Volunteers act as ambassadors for Re‑Form Heritage, sharing the history and significance of Middleport Pottery and Burleigh.
Main Tasks
Welcome and engage visitors, providing information about what there is to see and do on site
Deliver guided factory and heritage tours using approved scripts and standards
Provide information about the history of Middleport Pottery and Burleigh
Act as the first point of contact for visitor enquiries
Deliver tours as defined by Re‑Form Heritage and adapt to updates or changes when required
Lead and manage groups safely and confidently throughout the tour
Engaging with Visitors
Provide excellent customer service
Interact confidently with individuals and groups
Ensure visitors feel informed, welcomed, and supported throughout their visit
Person Specification
Strong communication skills and confidence in public speaking
A commitment to excellent customer service
Enthusiasm and willingness to learn new skills
An interest in learning about the history, processes, and layout of Middleport Pottery
Ability to lead and direct groups of visitors
Respect for Burleigh as a separate commercial operation and its staff
A flexible approach, including willingness to cover sickness, holidays, or larger tour groups
Ability to work using own initiative
A logical and organised approach to tasks
Training Provided
Approved factory tour scripts
Role shadowing with experienced Factory Tour Guides
Mentoring from an established Factory Tour Guide
Heritage training covering the history of Middleport Pottery
Access to Volunteer Resource Information booklets
Two‑way radio and amplifier training
Location and Hours
Location: Middleport Pottery
Opening hours: 10am–4pm, seven days a week
Factory tours:
11:00am and 1:45pm, Monday to Thursday
10:30am on Fridays
Tours may occasionally take place at other times by prior arrangement
If you enjoy public speaking, sharing heritage stories, and welcoming visitors to a historic site, we would love to hear from you.