GENERAL ASSISTANT - HOUSEKEEPER (Maternity Cover) Salary: £12.60 per hour
The Outward Bound Trust – Ullswater and Howtown Centres, Cumbria
Real Living Wage Employer
20 hours per week – Mostly worked Monday to Friday with occasional weekends - flexed to suit your needs and ours
Maternity Cover
At the Outward Bound Trust we provide inspirational outdoor learning and adventure for young people. It's a great working environment, where you will feel valued and encouraged to be yourself
Our hospitality team play a very important role in the participant experience and are a key part of delivering an impactful experience at the Ullswater sites. You'll be working in the stunning location of Ullswater, across two sites. These comprise of a variety of buildings ranging from our Grade II listed building at our Hallsteads site in Watermillock, to more modern ensuite accommodation areas at our Howtown site.
At Outward Bound you will have more than just a regular housekeeper job. Your role will bring you into contact with our young person guests, contributing to the magic moments in their learning and adventure experience. What is really important to us is your fit with our values and vision to deliver inspirational outdoor learning to young people.
Prior experience is not essential as full training and support will be given. You'll need to be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, have good personal presentation, be professional and friendly, with a 'can do' attitude. You will need to work across both sites with some weekend working.
About The Job
As a member of the Housekeeping Team, your main focus will be to clean and prepare bedrooms, public and staff areas around the centre and assist with some in-house laundry.
Responsibilities:
* Cleaning and preparing bedrooms and other public and staff spaces
* Work to a high standard in compliance with The Trust's Service Level Agreements.
* Report any maintenance issues.
* Safely operate all equipment, storing and handling of chemicals.
* Comply with health and safety, security, and emergency procedures.
* Work across departments when required.
* Provide a high standard of customer care.
* Carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required.
Your Attributes
Essential
* Friendly and approachable with the confidence to look after and have respectful conversations with our young participants and guests
* Good eye with attention to detail
* Ability to work on own initiative
* Committed to providing exceptional customer service with a "can do" attitude
* Be courteous to customers and colleagues enhancing their experience
* The physical ability to undertake some moderate moving and handling such as vacuum cleaners, laundry, furniture, etc
* Dependable and flexible
* Reliable, with good timekeeping
* Demonstrate professionalism and contribute to a positive work environment
* Be happy to work unsupervised and to take instructions from more experienced staff
Desirable
* Previous experience in a housekeeping or related role
* Experience in a customer facing role
* Experience of working safely within a COSHH environment
Salary and benefits
Salary: £12.60 per hour.
20 hours per week. Potential to work additional hours ad hoc to cover absence.
Contract: Permanent following a successful 3 month probation
Benefits
* Pro rata Annual Leave of 24 days increasing by one day each year to a maximum of 30 days, plus bank holidays
* Life Assurance: 3 x salary, covered from start date; includes Employee Assistance helpline
* Long-term Disability Insurance: 2/3 salary less state incapacity benefit after 6 months' absence for up to 5 years, covered from start date
* Personal Accident Insurance while at work or commuting
* Employee assistance programme – Unum. In the form of an app, with easy access to medical and mental health support. Ranging from instant GPs appointments to physio or counselling services
* Healthcare plan: cash plan currently with Medicash: on application after completion of probation; taxable benefit
* Sick pay: 8 weeks at full salary in any 12 month period
* Pension Scheme (currently Standard Life): Auto-enrolment of all staff after 3 months service
* Berghaus uniform items provided. Also, opportunity to purchase Berghaus products at discount
* Discounted course fees for family members to attend Outward Bound Trust courses (after 12 months service)
* Cycle to work scheme.
Other
The post holder will also be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure under the Disclosure and Barring Service.
How to apply: upload your CV quoting job reference HGAUllswater0924
Closing date: Friday 22nd August 2025.
We reserve the right to close the recruitment process early where suitable candidates are identified and encourage an early application.
To find out more, including how to apply and the Job Description please visit our website:
If you'd like to have an informal chat about the role, please contact Grahame Devine, Head of Hospitality on, or email:
PS... We know that confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect candidate'. So however you identify and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day. Good luck
Job Type: Part-time
Expected hours: 20 per week
Benefits:
* Additional leave
* Company pension
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee discount
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Private medical insurance
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 22/08/2025
Reference ID: HGAUllswater0924