Job Description

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.
The Learning and Participation department contributes to this mission by seeking to inspire people to protect the natural world and extend Kews reach, ensuring that our Gardens and wider work are accessible for everyone. The department values the support of volunteers within the learning programmes, including about 60 Volunteer Explainers who sit within the Family Learning team.
As a Family Learning Resource Volunteer, you will support the delivery of our range of informal self-led learning resources for families designed to inspire childrens scientific curiosity and significantly increase childrens learning opportunities whilst visiting Kew.
We are seeking 2 volunteers to oversee the hire of our popular mini and young backpacks, special education needs and disabilities picture exchange communication packs, sensory activity packs and sensory story sacks from the Information Desk at Vic Plaza. The role includes taking bookings, collection of returns, cleaning and replenishing, auditing and replenishment of our seasonal trails and spotter sheets.
You will need to be available weekly on a Monday or Friday morning (or afternoon) and have good availability from Apr-Sept especially prior to, immediately after and during half terms and school holidays as this is our busiest time.
Please visit the website for more information about our self-led resources:
Mini and Young Scientist Backpacks:
SEND Sensory Story Sacks, Activity and PECs Packs:
Seasonal Trails and Spotter Sheets:
Location
Kew Gardens, Richmond
Closing Date
15/06/2025
More details
Main tasks

• Processing bookings of backpacks and SEND packs.
• Dropping off and collecting, cleaning and replenishing backpacks and SEND packs at the information desk.
• Auditing backpacks and SEND packs.
• Replenishing seasonal trails, spotter sheets, backpack and SEND pack hire forms, till rolls, stickers etc at the information desk.
• Occasional ad hoc admin support for other Family and Early Years learning activities.

This role will suit volunteers with some of the following skills and experience:

• Experience working or volunteering with children and/or families.
• Good communication and team working skills.
• Good IT skills including outlook and excel.
• Experience in a public-facing role and good customer service skills.
• A positive, can-do attitude and willingness to learn.
• Passionate about connecting children with nature and plants
• Ability to commit to weekly volunteering Apr-September (less hours required in low season)

Recruitment procedure:
Kew is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
A satisfactory Enhanced DBS check will be required for this role and successful volunteers will be asked to undertake this check.
For further information and to register your interest, please contact:
Email:
We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Kew aims to be an inclusive space for all.
If you have any questions regarding accessibility requirements or about anything else, please email with your questions or to arrange a phone call. '