Weekend Kitchen, Cleaning and Housekeeping Support
Gorsefield Rural Studies and Outdoor Activity Centre
Grove Hill, Stansted, Essex, CM24 8SS
Job type: Casual, zero-hours
Working pattern: Weekends, according to residential bookings
DBS requirement: Enhanced DBS check
Grade and salary: To be confirmed
About Gorsefield
Gorsefield Rural Studies and Outdoor Activity Centre provides residential and day-visit experiences for children and other visiting groups.
We are looking for a reliable, practical and suitably experienced individual to support our weekend residential bookings by helping with kitchen duties, cleaning, laundry and general housekeeping.
This is a varied, hands-on role within a friendly team, helping us to ensure the centre is clean, safe, welcoming and ready for every group that stays with us.
Working hours
The role will be offered on a casual, zero-hours basis. Hours will depend on residential bookings and operational requirements.
A typical weekend working pattern is:
Friday: 2.00pm to 7.00pm
Saturday: 7.00am to 7.00pm
Sunday: 7.00am to 4.00pm
Applicants should be able to work flexibly according to the needs of the centre.
About the role
The Weekend Kitchen, Cleaning and Housekeeping Support postholder will provide practical support across the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, communal spaces and other areas of the centre.
The role includes helping with straightforward food preparation and meal service, washing up, cleaning, laundry, bed-making and preparing rooms for arriving groups.
The postholder will report to the Head Chef and/or designated Centre Manager and will work closely with the Weekend Catering Support postholder and other members of the Gorsefield team.
Main duties and responsibilities
Kitchen support:
- Support straightforward food preparation, meal service and clearing away as directed.
- Wash crockery, cutlery, utensils and kitchen equipment.
- Return clean items to the correct storage areas.
- Keep kitchen surfaces, sinks, floors and equipment clean and hygienic.
- Follow food hygiene and allergen controls when undertaking food-related duties.
- Help maintain clean and hygienic kitchen and dining areas throughout weekend bookings.
Cleaning and housekeeping:
- Clean bedrooms, bathrooms, toilets, corridors, communal rooms and other allocated areas.
- Complete cleaning schedules thoroughly and within the required timescales.
- Prepare rooms and shared areas for arriving groups.
- Replenish supplies such as toiletries and cleaning materials where required.
- Report shortages, damage, defects and maintenance concerns promptly.
- Ensure all areas are left clean, tidy, safe and welcoming.
Laundry and room preparation:
- Make beds and change bed linen.
- Prepare bedrooms for arriving visitors.
- Collect, sort, wash, dry, fold and store linen and towels as required.
- Complete laundry and room-turnaround duties efficiently.
- Help ensure bedrooms and shared areas meet the centre’s expected standards.
Safe working practices:
- Use cleaning products, equipment and personal protective equipment safely.
- Follow COSHH guidance, training and product instructions.
- Use warning signs and appropriate precautions when cleaning floors or carrying out tasks that may affect visitors.
- Report spillages, hazards, accidents, incidents, damage and defects promptly.
- Follow safeguarding, infection-control, food-hygiene and health-and-safety procedures at all times.
Visitor and operational support:
- Work discreetly and courteously around children, school staff and other visitors.
- Maintain security, confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries in bedrooms and visitor areas.
- Communicate effectively with the Head Chef, Centre Manager, visiting group leaders, colleagues and visitors.
- Help create a friendly, respectful, safe and welcoming environment.
- Respond appropriately to reasonable requests from colleagues and visiting groups.
- Undertake other reasonable duties required for the safe and effective running of weekend residential bookings.
Safeguarding
Gorsefield is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
The successful applicant will be required to:
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
- Follow all safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Work appropriately and respectfully around children and young people.
- Complete mandatory safeguarding training.
- Undertake an enhanced DBS check before commencing work.
Essential knowledge and skills
Applicants should have:
- An understanding of effective cleaning methods and hygiene standards.
- Knowledge of the safe use and storage of cleaning products and equipment.
- An awareness of safeguarding and professional boundaries when working around children.
- The ability to clean bedrooms, bathrooms, communal areas and kitchen spaces thoroughly and efficiently.
- The ability to undertake laundry, bed-making and room-preparation tasks.
- Good organisational and time-management skills.
- The ability to meet room-changeover and cleaning deadlines.
- The ability to follow cleaning schedules, instructions and safety procedures accurately.
- Clear communication, teamwork and customer-service skills.
- The ability to identify and report hazards, defects and shortages promptly.
- The ability to work calmly and efficiently during busy periods.
Qualifications and experience
Previous experience in cleaning, housekeeping, kitchen support or a similar practical role would be desirable.
Experience in any of the following settings would also be helpful:
- Hospitality
- Residential accommodation
- Education
- Care
- Community services
The following would be desirable, although training may be provided:
- Experience of laundry and bed-making duties.
- Food Hygiene training.
- Allergen Awareness training.
- COSHH training.
- Fire Awareness training.
- First Aid at Work qualification.
The successful applicant will be required to complete all mandatory safeguarding, health and safety, COSHH, fire awareness and other relevant training.
What we are looking for
We are looking for someone who is:
- Reliable, punctual and flexible.
- Friendly, respectful and professional.
- Practical and willing to undertake a range of duties.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Committed to high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and safety.
- Able to manage their time and complete tasks efficiently.
- Comfortable working in a busy residential environment.
- Respectful of visitors’ privacy, dignity and belongings.
- Inclusive and respectful when working with children, adults, colleagues and visiting groups.
- Committed to reducing waste and using water, energy, cleaning products and other resources responsibly.
Additional information
This is a casual, zero-hours role. There is no guarantee of a minimum number of hours, and shifts will be offered according to residential bookings and operational need.
The postholder will be expected to attend agreed shifts punctually and provide as much notice as possible if they are unable to attend.
The duties listed above are not exhaustive. The successful applicant may be asked to undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.
This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory pre-employment checks.
Pay: £8.00-£13.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
