Norwich Open Christmas
  
  VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

Christmas Day Volunteers

Thank you so much for offering to help with Norwich Open Christmas 2019. This page lists some of the general information you may need to assist you on Christmas Day.

For more detailed information about when things are likely to happen and what you can do to help please see Times and/or Tasks and/or Drivers.

We hope you have an enjoyable and rewarding day.
Nearest Parking
St Andrews Car Park
Duke Street, Norwich  NR3 3AT
(Please Note - Duke Street is One-Way)

Christmas Day - Volunteer Information
Thank you for supporting Open Christmas


Registered Volunteers - Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age on Christmas Day.  For reasons of Insurance and Health & Safety, only those volunteers who have registered to assist with Norwich Open Christmas 2019 can attend during these times. We are not able to register volunteers on the day, nor can we allow registered volunteers to bring non-registered family or friends to assist. If you would like to attend on Christmas Day, and would otherwise be alone, then you are always very welcome to join us as a guest.

Parking - The nearest car park is St Andrews on Duke Street (see map). Please note this is a one way street running South to North away from the city centre. You will need to take a ticket to enter the car park, however the exit barrier will be UP throughout Christmas Day and the car park will not be staffed. The area outside St Andrews Hall (see photo) can be used for 'drop-off & pick-up' but must remain clear at all times to assist the Volunteer Drivers with guest transport throughout the day.

Volunteers Entrance - Please use the Volunteers Entrance when entering and exiting The Halls.  You will have to show your "Confirmation of Registration" to gain access, this will be sent by post or email in December. This door can be found in the far corner right-hand corner as you face the hall (see photo). As you come through this entrance you will find the Volunteers Reception Desk directly ahead of you. As you enter please note that St Andrew's Hall will be to your left, behind the bar area, and Blackfriar's Hall, where we sort the donated food, will be to your right, up the steps.

Sign In/Out at Volunteer Reception Desk - Upon arrival please first sign-in at the Volunteers Reception Desk. We also ask that you  sign-out when you leave. You will receive a named volunteer badge which you should wear throughout the day.  There will be a short briefing meeting in the Crypt cloakroom, which all volunteers must attend.  Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes before your start time so that you can attend this briefing.  There will also be experienced volunteers at the desk who can answer any questions you have and generally point you in the right direction. After the briefing, familiarise yourself with the layout of both St Andrew's Hall and Blackfriar's Hall including the location of all Emergency Exits and then proceed to your allocated tasks.

Volunteer Drivers - We ask all Volunteer Drivers to sign-in at the Volunteers Reception Desk when you first arrive at the hall, even if you do not plan to assist in the hall itself.  Drivers should then report to the Transport Desk in St Andrew's Hall. This enable us to provide you with your volunteers badge and it also helps us to keep a central record of all volunteers attending on the day.

First Aiders - This year we are again kindly supported by Gerry Bowdren and some of his highly experienced colleagues from the NHS. Please could all First Aiders introduce themselves to Gerry upon arrival, he will be wearing a High-Viz vest, and he will be very happy to take you through the medical arrangements for the day.

What To Wear - Please feel free to dress casually. It can be a long day and you may do quite a bit of walking up and down the hall.  We suggest flat enclosed footwear especially in the kitchen, refreshment area and serving lunch. We have an attended cloakroom available for volunteers to leave coats.  We cannot accept responsibility for any item of value that is lost.

Please Bring Something To Eat - After we have served Christmas Dinner to our guests there may be an opportunity for volunteers to enjoy a meal with our guests. However, as we don't know how many guests we will serve we can not guarantee this, so please bring food with you, just in case. The refreshments table is always well stocked with drinks, biscuits, etc and this is freely available to all volunteers throughout the day.

Volunteer Well Being - This is one of our primary concerns. Open Christmas can be an emotionally draining day for a number of reasons. If can be demanding physically and also emotionally. Please do take 'time-out' as and when you need it, and, if you feel it would help to talk to someone we have a number of volunteers present who are trained to support you.  Please inform a hall manager if you take a break so your allocated task can be covered.

Quiet Area - St. Andrew's Crypt is a great place to take some 'time-out' during the day. We use the Crypt as the volunteers' cloakroom and refreshment area and it is always a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of St Andrew's Hall.
  
  NORWICH 2019
Volunteers Entrance
Guest Entrance
Please Keep Area Clear
(click to enlarge)