Internship Role Profile Visitor Experience Development Intern Overview of the role 2016 is a particularly exciting year at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in which we are launching many new initiatives and projects in the Visitor Experience Department. You ll be working within this busy department of the World Heritage Site with the aim of developing, increasing and deepening engagement with our visitors to lead to the successful outcomes of these initiatives. To achieve this you ll be working on a number of projects and also be involved in the day-to-day running organisation and running of the department. There is also the potential to become involved with other teams to support your own career interests and to help fulfil the aims of your placement here. You ll learn about the programming, planning, and management of running a programme of family activities and events within a heritage setting and maintaining a high standard of daily offer and visitor engagement. You ll also learn about and support the evaluation and planning of a long term visitor offer at a heritage site with over 370,000 visitors. What s in it for you? Learning about all aspects of event programming that aids the success of a World Heritage Site visitor attraction Developing key working skills of use to your future career, building interpersonal, organisational, and strong communication skills with the public, staff and volunteers. Gaining hands-on practical experience working outdoors on the wider estate in a visitor facing role. Understanding of the running of a large scale contemporary art project within a heritage setting. Direct involvement and experience of planning and delivering an immersive historical experience for visitor engagement.
Experience of multitasking, office based work in the busy estate Visitor Centre An opportunity to compile a personal portfolio of case studies and projects to demonstrate your achievements and capabilities Gaining experience and understanding of the work of the National Trust by being part of a busy team at one of the Trust s most visited and diverse properties Experience of research, and implementation of developing a visitor offer within a cultural/heritage setting, and in line with national campaigns. Gain an understanding of developing links and relationships with outside organisations. What s involved? Your projects: In spring 2016 we will have just launched a brand new large scale visitor experience project called the Grange Experience. This is a medieval monastic interpretation area. Your project will involve o Analysing and evaluating all aspects of the visitor experience of the area. o Identifying key areas for developing and improvement and work alongside the Visitor Experience Officer and Manager to implement this change. o Lead on the planning and delivery of a Medieval crafts activity that runs throughout the summer holidays and October half-term o Work on an engagement stragety to involve and train volunteers to support the success of the project. This year we are developing a brand new style of family trails to have available on site for visitors. Your project will involve o Working with the Visitor Experience Officer, the Learning Officer and volunteers to research and generate creative design and content for these trails. o You ll be following the framework of the 50things National Campaign to implement visitor engagement with nature and the outdoors on-site, and be involved with all aspects planning, organising and delivering self-led and led activities for families. o You ll be the lead in looking after the maintenance of the trail and working with the marketing team to build developing engagement with families. o Work with the Visitor Experience and Marketing department to explore and formulate longer term plans for events and activities for 2017 using the seasonal and country-wide National Trust marketing frameworks. Throughout your placement you ll also gain knowledge of and practical experience in helping to deliver departmental and property strategic aims. You ll gain experience in all areas of the events process of the 50things national campaign, planning and delivering family workshops (such as bike rides, hedgehog box making, pond dipping), gaining experience in the Fountains by Floodlight programme in October and in the large scale contemporary art project of Folly! for 2016.
This post will also require some manual handling, for example when setting up for events. General Requirements These are applicable to all office and wider estate roles they include: Upholding the National Trust Service Promise and Values and Behaviours Attending relevant department meetings and estate briefings Undertaking training provided by the Trust appropriate to the role Becoming familiar with and following the National Trust s Health and Safety Policy at all times Giving other appropriate assistance as may be reasonably requested This role will suit people who: Are interested in developing a career involving: o Heritage, museums and the arts o Tourism, visitor experience and events management o Education and learning o The work of the National Trust Are reliable, able to use initiative, and work flexibly Analytical and inquisitive with a keen eye for detail Enjoy hands-on and creative work Relish the opportunity to help visitors get the best possible and most enjoyable experience whilst at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Derive genuine enjoyment from meeting and talking to people You ll already have: Good written and verbal communication skills An ability to engage and inspire children, families and visitors Excellent organizational, multitasking and prioritising skills A commitment to delivering great customer service The ability to work co-operatively as part of a team Computer literacy skills Extra information Your place Anticipated time commitment Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal 3 days / 22.5 hours per week days TBC This is a voluntary role and as such the time contribution is purely a guideline. Anticipated 6 months
internship length Manager Training Resources Accommodation Expenses Clare Sutton As part of your induction you will receive training to help equip you for your role. Throughout your internship you will have the opportunity to develop your skills, and review your personal development with your line manager. You will also have the opportunity to find out more about the National Trust during your time with us. Estate handbook, name badge, branded estate clothing (department polo shirt). Is available for the duration of your placement should you require it on estate, three miles from Ripon. Out-of-pocket travel costs arising directly from your voluntary role here and other reasonable expenses agreed in advance. Daily lunch allowance. What is a National Trust Internship? This is an opportunity for people looking to gain work experience across different areas of work within the Trust. The internship will be attached to a particular project or area of work, and will give you the opportunity to develop your skills and experience in this area. The Trust has a commitment to support the personal development of individuals who volunteer with us through the internship programme, recognising the importance of work experience to future career development. About the National Trust The National Trust is a registered charity and is completely independent of Government. We rely for income on membership fees, donations and legacies, and money raised from our commercial operations. We are supported by 3.7 million members and 55,000 volunteers without whom we simply could not manage. We protect and open to the public over 300 historic houses and gardens and 49 industrial monuments and mills. But it doesn t stop there. We also look after forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, castles, nature reserves, villages for places, for ever, for everyone. About Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is a designated World Heritage Site. Almost 900 years of human history, architecture and artistic endeavour has been integrated into a continuous landscape of exceptional merit and beauty.
Studley Royal Water Garden is arguably the most spectacular water garden in England It is an outstanding example of the development of English garden style through the 18 th century. The garden contains canals, ponds, cascades, lawns and hedges, with elegant temples and statues. The design of the garden, which survives substantially in its original form, is determined by the topography of the natural landscape, rather than being imposed upon it. Fountains Abbey is a key element in the garden scheme providing a spectacular culmination to the principal vista, but is also of outstanding importance in its own right. It is one of the few Cistercian houses surviving from the 12 th century and provides an unrivalled picture of a great religious house in all its parts. Fountains Abbey, founded in 1132, soon became one of the largest and richest Cistercian abbeys in Britain. The Abbey shares the landscape with Fountains Hall (1597-1604): an outstanding example of a building of its period, partially built with stone from the Abbey. It has a distinctive Elizabethan style façade and is enhanced by a formal garden with shaped hedges. St. Mary s Church: an outstanding example of High Victorian Gothic architecture by one of its leading exponents, William Burges, in 1871, and considered to be one of his finest works. Each important in their own right, these elements combine to make this a truly exceptional site deserving to be internationally recognised.