Volunteer Groups
Welcome to Volunteering @ Exeter Cathedral
Thank you for your interest in volunteering. Volunteers perform many different and vital roles that help to make the Cathedral the vibrant, beautiful and special place it is today. Volunteers have contributed to the life of the Cathedral for many hundreds of years: should you decide to become a volunteer with us you will be continuing a long standing tradition which has helped to maintain and enhance this amazing centre of worship and learning for generations. We currently have over 400 volunteers who perform a wide range of essential, varied and rewarding tasks.
People volunteer for all sorts of reasons. For some it is an expression of their faith, for others a love of architecture or history. Others wish to use the skills and knowledge they have to aid their community. Many value the social contact they have with other volunteers, staff and visitors. The Cathedral is an exciting, interesting and rewarding place to volunteer and to become part of a committed and caring community. It also provides the opportunity to learn new skills which may assist those who are looking for work or personal development.
'I love helping people to enjoy this lovely building'.
'As volunteers we care about and support each other'.
'I enjoy giving something back'.
'We are helping to pass the cathedral on to the next generation'.
New volunteers are offered the opportunity to attend an induction session at which you will meet some of the key Cathedral personnel, hear about our mission and history and learn more about some of the key aspects of volunteering here.
Volunteering Roles
Some volunteer roles require very specific training, commitment, knowledge and skills. For roles associated with services and worship, such as Sidesmen and Servers, there is an expectation that volunteers will be members of the Cathedral congregation. Other roles, such as our Holy Dusters, simply need enthusiasm, a commitment to the life of the Cathedral and a willingness to learn. All new volunteers are required to fill out an application form and provide references; some require a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check. Outlined below are some of the volunteering roles performed here. To find out more please contact the person listed in your area of interest. For general enquiries regarding volunteering please phone 01392 285983 or email: volunteers@exeter-cathedral.org.uk.
RECEPTION ASSISTANTS: join our friendly, busy reception team: come in once a week to answer the phone, deal with enquiries and help with admin tasks over lunch time and/or later in the afternoon. Use skills you already have or learn new ones. You will need good, confident phone and customer service skills. Contact:
Sam Cox: 01392 273509
email: sam.cox@exeter-cathedral.org.uk
HOLY DUSTERS: we help the virger's team once a week or fortnight for a couple of hours by doing the essential Cathedral dusting, cleaning and polishing. Contact:
Michael Greaves: 01392 274779
email: virgers@exeter-cathedral.org.uk
STEWARDS & GUIDES: our stewards come in for one session per week or fortnight. They have excellent customer service skills and provide a warm welcome to all visitors to the Cathedral, helping them to enjoy their visit and find their way around. Guides provide hour long informative tours to visitors and groups and are confident, engaging speakers with a good knowledge of the Cathedral history, architecture and purpose. Training is provided for both roles. Contact:
Catherine Escott: 01392 285983
email: visitors@exeter-cathedral.org.uk
CATHEDRAL SHOP: volunteers work alongside staff in our lovely shop, usually for one shift per week, operating the till, dealing with customer enquires and helping to manage stock. Contact:
Paul Patch: 01392 271354
email: shop@exeter-cathedral.org.uk
SOAR OUTREACH (Soup on a Run): on Wednesday evenings Cathedral volunteers perform the valuable role of cooking and then distributing food at the top of the High Street to people who are in need. Help welcome on an occasional basis. Contact:
Sheila Miles: 01392 253166
email: sheila@sheilamiles.co.uk
CLOISTER CLUB: is for children aged 4 to 12+ and takes place on Sunday mornings at 9.45am in term time. We also have a crèche. Occasionally we need extra volunteers who will need to be CRB checked. Contact:
Marian Gilpin: 01626 873443
email: marian.gilpin@btinternet.com
CYPEX: a fun, activities based club for older children, meeting at weekends. A great volunteering role for potential youth leaders, teachers or anyone interested in working with young people. (CRB check required). Contact: Pete Francis: 01392 215776
email: aliceandpete@sky.com
DUTY CHAPLAINS (Ordained and Lay): provide an essential daily chaplaincy/ listening service to visitors within the Cathedral. Contact:
Revd Preb Philip Darby: 01364 652844, email: pwdarby@supanet.com
FLOWER ARRANGERS: volunteers arrange beautiful flower displays throughout the year and for weddings and festivals. Experience is essential. Contact:
Judy Best: 01395 263373
email: judybest2@br.eclipse.co.uk
SERVERS: assist in worship by performing specific duties during services. Contact:
David Norris: 01392 468154
SIDESMEN: undertake the liturgical welcome at all Sunday and mid-week services, also acting as stewards at concerts and special events. Contact:
Norman Pullen: 07759 673491
email: normanP@aol.com
SUNDAY COFFEE TEAM: provide essential and welcome refreshments after the Sunday service. Help also welcome for occasional celebration afternoon tea events. Contact:
Margaret Williams:
01392 272687
NIGHT CAFÉ: volunteers help out on Friday evenings at St Petrock's to provide a warm welcome, refreshments and conversation for our visitors who are very often homeless. Contact:
Arthur Norman-Walker: 07753 780799
afcoexeter-aca2-devoncornwall@mod.uk
TAPISERS: we provide the beautiful soft furnishings for the embellishment and enhancement of the Cathedral, Clergy & Servers. We also help care for the altar linen. New volunteers always welcome. Contact:
Jane Wilson (secretary): 01392 271722
email: ummajane@mac.com
CHOIR CHAPERONS: contribute to the supervision of Choristers during rehearsals and at Services on a rota basis. This role requires an interest in the welfare of children & an understanding of the duties of the Choristers. An enhanced CRB disclosure is required. Contact:
Ann Barwood: 07528609715
email: amb@exeter-cathedral.org.uk
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