National Trust
Father Christmas - Christmas Helper
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Father Christmas - Christmas Helper
At Wallington, we welcome many families during the festive period to enjoy a much-loved and traditional Christmas experience. We’re looking for someone to take on the character of Father Christmas – Christmas Helper, and to support the team in bringing the magic alive.
Salary: £13.25 per hour
Contract Duration: Fixed term until 23rd December 2026
Working Pattern: This is a zero-hour contract, meaning we can’t guarantee a set number of hours each week. While we aim to provide a consistent work pattern, flexibility is needed as schedules may change based on business needs. We’ll try to give as much notice as possible. You’ll need to be available for at least one weekend day on each weekend in December, as well as at least one day from Tuesday 15th, Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd December. You’ll also need to attend a short induction and training session before the events begin.
For this role, you’ll need to complete our online assessment instead of using a C.V. or online application form. This will help us understand more about your strengths and give you more information about the role.
This role is required to work with vulnerable groups including children, and any offer of employment or volunteering is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.
What It's Like To Work Here
Wallington sits in a rural corner of Northumberland approximately 20 miles northwest of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. The informal but magnificent House sits at the south end of the estate and is surrounded by parkland, gardens and farmland. Wallington remains one of the great estates of the North and contains treasures collected by generations of Trevelyans and their predecessors.
Click here for more information about this location
What You'll Be Doing
You’ll be working in costume, mainly in the House, greeting families on one of our Christmas experience visits. These consist of a pre-booked one-hour session for 25 children and their adults. You’ll welcome the group and then meet each smaller group for a more in-depth chat, listening to and chatting with children, answering their questions with patience and helping to build their excitement.
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When that finishes, you’ll step into the informal walk-around programme, where you’ll chat and have photos taken with our visitors on that day. Depending on how busy it is (and the weather), this might take place outside at the sleigh for the perfect photo opportunity with ‘Magnificence’ the reindeer. Being punctual and reliable will be important, as you’ll be part of a scheduled programme of experiences for our visitors.
We also offer two ‘quiet’ sessions as part of the pre-booked events, which are lower key and aimed at children who may be overwhelmed in other settings. You’ll be giving everyone the warmest of welcomes and delivering an inclusive experience, using your judgement and adapting how you communicate and interact with each visitor, including responding positively to unexpected or tricky questions from our younger visitors. This will help everyone experience the magic of Christmas and have a festive visit to remember. Training and support will be on hand throughout your time with us.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile, (or the suit -we’ll provide it) this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
Who We're Looking For
We'd love to hear from you if you’re:
- helpful and friendly
- a people person, with a positive ‘can-do’ attitude
- enthusiastic, and willing to learn
- a team player, who can also work on your own initiative
- flexible and adaptable
The Package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Season ticket loan
- EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most Trust places
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National Trust place Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth, NE61 4AR Father Christmas - Christmas Helper - A2.pdf
Requirements
Compliance. Eligibility to Work in the UK
Additional Information
Closing Date: 18 October 2026
Provisional Interview Date: 29 October 2026
To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.
If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk
If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.
Equal Opportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.
Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.
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