Reception support

You will welcome all visitors to the site and provide a helpful reception service to visitors, volunteers and staff.

Key times are between 8-9am and 5-6:30pm Monday to Friday, dependent on the local office.

  • Welcoming visitors. This may include volunteer Boarders when they arrive to drop off and pick up dogs in the morning and evening
  • Being aware of the fire evacuation procedures and having knowledge of where the first aid box is located
  • Passing on details of any messages to the appropriate member of staff in a timely manner
  • Undertaking admin tasks as may be required from time to time e.g. handling incoming and outgoing mail or booking meeting rooms
  • At some sites - to open up the office at the agreed time each morning
  • At some sites - to lock up and secure the office at the end of the day ensuring windows are closed and lights and power are turned off
  • Provide basic care for dogs (e.g. toileting and providing water) as required
  • Local Guide Dogs Training School
  • Reliability and punctuality
  • Able to work independently using own initiative
  • Friendly with good interpersonal skills
  • Able to work in an environment with dogs
  • Able and willing to undertake any training relevant to the role
  • Basic dog handling skills are desirable but training will be given
  • Support Guide Dogs to provide guide dogs and other mobility services that enable blind and partially-sighted people to enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else
  • An understanding of how the different parts of Guide Dogs work
  • An opportunity to build experience for your CV
  • Regular and ongoing support from your supervisor
  • Payment of all out of pocket expenses
  • Basic induction to Guide Dogs and to the role
  • Not for this volunteer role
  • 18 years

Meet one of our existing reception supporters

I feel like I have earned my weekend off and I enjoy having responsibility again"

Eddie

Eddie is a guide dog owner and has been volunteering with the Belfast team for six years.

"After completing a computing course a friend suggested that I think about using my newly found skills by volunteering. I hadn’t worked for over 14 years and I missed the contact with other adults, so I contacted the Belfast Guide Dogs team to see if I could help out. That was six years ago and now I volunteer at Guide Dogs three days a week. I feel like I have earned my weekend off and I enjoy having responsibility again.

My role mainly consists of answering the phone, passing on messages to the staff, ordering dog equipment and dealing with general enquiries. I also sometimes help out the fundraising department by talking to our clients about flag days and sponsored events."