Job Description
Receptionist – Sessional (Community Links, 105 Barking Road)
Step into a career that blends front-of-house excellence with hands-on facilities experience.
Are you looking for a role that’s more than just a desk job? Do you enjoy helping people while keeping a busy building running smoothly? Join Community Links as a Receptionist and become a vital part of our facilities and operations team.
Why Community Links?
We’re a vibrant hub tackling health and social inequality in East London and beyond. Each week, our reception at 105 Barking Road welcomes hundreds of service users participating in programmes and services across the organisation. Over 3,000 advice clients come through our doors annually—by phone, email, and in person.
We’re proud to be part of Catch22, working towards a world where everyone can thrive with good people around them, a good place to live, and a purpose in life.
Your Role
As a Receptionist, you’ll be more than a friendly face—you’ll be a key ambassador and a critical part of our facilities team. You’ll ensure every visitor receives a warm, respectful welcome while actively contributing to the smooth running of our building. From managing bookings and supporting events to monitoring building safety and stock levels, you’ll gain valuable experience in facilities operations and customer service.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to build a career in facilities, estates, or operational support.
What You’ll Do
* Deliver a professional and welcoming reception service for all visitors and service users.
* Support the facilities team with daily building walkarounds, stock checks, and cleanliness audits.
* Monitor and record building maintenance tasks using a maintenance CRM system.
* Assist with meeting room bookings, set-up, refreshments, and post-event tidying.
* Manage incoming calls, emails, and post, and maintain accurate client records.
* Support fire safety checks and act as a Fire Marshal during evacuations.
* Help with onboarding new staff and volunteers.
* Liaise with tenants and external partners regarding room hire and service delivery.
* Maintain tea/coffee stations, stationery supplies, and display boards across the building.
What We’re Looking For
* A passion for helping people and keeping spaces safe, clean, and welcoming.
* Strong communication and organisational skills.
* Interest in facilities, estates, or building operations.
* Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends.
* Experience in reception, customer service, or facilities support is a plus.
What We Offer
* A dynamic role combining reception and facilities experience.
* Supportive team environment and training opportunities.
* Sessional hours to suit your schedule.
* Enhanced DBS screening for your and our clients’ safety.
Please click here to view the Job Description.
Ready to launch your facilities career while making a difference in your community? Apply now and help us keep Community Links running smoothly and welcoming for all.
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
* Education: Minimum 5 GCSEs at grades A–C (or equivalent).
* Knowledge:
o Health and safety in the workplace.
o Data protection and GDPR standards.
o Customer service principles.
o Basic understanding of welfare benefits (e.g., Universal Credit, housing support).
o Full proficiency in Microsoft Office.
o Awareness of support/referral agencies and barriers affecting vulnerable people in Newham.
* Experience:
o Working in a demanding reception setting.
o Using financial processing systems.
o Team collaboration and managing conflicting demands.
o Microsoft Office tools and video conferencing.
o Data analysis and reporting.
o Front-of-house and building upkeep.
o Liaising with tenants and service users.
* Skills & Abilities:
o Strong written and verbal communication.
o Initiative and problem-solving.
o Ability to work independently and in a team.
o Flexibility and adaptability.
o Competence in databases, Word, PowerPoint, and video conferencing.
o Ability to set up meeting spaces and use associated technology.
* Other:
o Commitment to Community Links and Catch22 values.
o Awareness of and commitment to Equality & Diversity.
o Willingness to work flexibly, including weekends.
o Desire for ongoing training and development.
Desirable Qualifications
* Degree-level education.
* Customer Service or Business Administration qualification.
* First Aid and Fire Warden training.
* Understanding of leases and safeguarding policies.
* Fluency in additional languages.
* Experience in the voluntary sector or advice-based settings.
Additional Information
* Salary: £14.54 per hour
* Contract: Sessional
* Reports to: Facilities Manager
* Hours: Sessional hours including weekends
It is strongly advised to include a cover letter as part of your application. Failure to include this could mean your application isn't considered. You can do this by either putting your cover letter as a message to the Hiring Manager on the first page or attaching it as an attachment with your CV.
See the benefits of working for Catch22 here .
Unless otherwise stated, interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.
At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.
Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.
Please note, we will conduct an online search as part of our due dilligence checks for successful candidate(s). This will involve a search of all publicly available information online and in social media.
Catch22’s Commitment to Ban the Box
Catch22 is proud to have “Banned the Box ”. This means that we do not ask for candidates to disclose criminal convictions at the application stage. Instead, we invite disclosures at interview stage, and encourage them at the offer stage. Please see our statement of commitment on hiring people with convictions for more information.