Summary
We're looking for someone who loves to see people enjoying themselves and wants to help make sure their experience is a memorable one. Our Active Outdoors Assistant role is all about giving people a warm welcome, offering helpful advice and maintaining the area to high standards for everyone to enjoy. Whether it’s looking after play equipment, making sure the play hub looks its best or just joining in the fun, you’ll play a key part in making sure everyone has an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Contract: Fixed Term ending 11th September 2026
Working Patterns: 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. A typical day would be 9 – 5, hours will vary depending on availability – estimate somewhere between 15 and 30 hours weekly, including weekend and bank holiday working but does not require evening or split shifts.
Salary: £13.25 per hour
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 on the role.
What it's like to work here
One of the National Trust’s most visited places, Nymans was once a creative retreat for the artistic Messel family. The garden holds nationally significant plant collections and at its centre is the Messel family home – a partial ruin. Warm and welcoming, the remaining rooms offer a charming insight to the lives of the people that once lived there. The adjoining woodland, with lake and bird hides, is a place of peace and tranquillity, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and flowers. The small gallery shows changing exhibitions throughout the year and a programme of activities reflects the exhibition themes.
As well as its famous garden and house, Nymans has a successful bookshop, plant centre, cafe and shop. Nyman's garden is a lover's delight, jam-packed with borders offering endless inspiration for your garden at home.
This is a wonderful opportunity to work within an artistic environment where no two days are the same.
What you'll be doing
Day to day, you’ll be helping to set up play activities, welcoming families and ensuring that the standards of presentation of the play hub remain high throughout the summer.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; 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:
* focused on giving great service to everyone you meet
* a team player, but also happy to work on your own initiative
* well-organised and adaptable
* willing to learn new skills.
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
National Trust place
Nymans Garden, Handcross, Haywards Heath, RH17 6EB
Documents
* Active Outdoors Assistant - Career Level A2.pdf
* out door assistant Role profile context Nymans.docx
Requirements
Compliance. Eligibility to Work in the UK
Additional information
Closing Date: 21 June 2026
Interview Date: 02 July 2026
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.
Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.
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