As a Programming Assistant, you’ll assist in the delivery of our Summer of Play activities across the Summer holiday period from 18th July - 31st August 2026.
You'll be primarily based in our outdoor play space, helping to deliver exciting, playful, and memorable family experiences as part of Blist Hills Summer of Play programme. From welcoming visitors, facilitating hands-on sessions and supporting our Visitor Experience team behind-the-scenes the role offers the opportunity to get hands one and share the fun this summer.
Salary: £14,469 per annum (pro rata)
Contract/duration: Fixed term contract until 01-Sep-2026
Hours/working pattern: 21 hours per week across 3 days. Weekend working (Saturday & Sunday) and an additional weekday.
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:Reporting to the Senior Visitor Experience Officer and Visitor Experience Manager, you’ll join a passionate, creative team of staff and volunteers at Blists Hill.
Every day offers the chance to step into the sights, sounds and stories of Ironbridge Gorge’s industrial past. Set within a working-class town in the East Shropshire coalfield, Blists Hill is a living museum filled with Victorian shops and workers’ cottages.
You’ll work alongside skilled craftspeople demonstrating traditional trades and costumed storytellers who bring history to life, sharing what everyday life was like for people living and working in industrial towns. It’s a dynamic, immersive environment where no two days are the same, and where you’ll play a key role in creating memorable experiences for visitors.
What you'll be doing:You’ll be primarily based in our outdoor play space, ‘Blists Hill on Sea’, working across our Summer of Play programme. In this role, you’ll provide a warm and enthusiastic welcome to visitors, engage families in playful activities, collect valuable feedback, facilitate hands-on workshops, and help ensure our play spaces are maintained to the highest standard.
Understanding how and why we engage with visitors is key. You’ll act as the main point of contact for those taking part in our Summer of Play offer, playing a vital role in ensuring they have a positive, engaging experience and leave with joyful summer memories.
Blists Hill is a busy and dynamic site, and you’ll be instrumental in supporting the onsite team to successfully deliver the summer programme throughout the season. You’ll also be responsible for maintaining high standards of presentation across the site and ensuring all visitor communications are clear, consistent and welcoming.
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; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
Who we're looking forWe'd love to hear from you if you have:
- good communication skills, building relationships with a wide range of people
- a team player, but can also work by yourself
- adaptable and have a flexible approach
- an understanding of the importance of great service
- keen to learn new things
- well organised and able to manage time well
The packageThe 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
- 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
Requirements :Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Fixed Term p/t (21 hrs pw to 01/09/26)
