Father Christmas - Christmas Helper

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; Wilmslow; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension scheme

Free entry to National Trust places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Job summary

National Trust is looking for a Father Christmas – Christmas Helper at Quarry Bank Mill, Wilmslow, to greet families, hand out gifts and bring the magic of Christmas to life in our grotto and play space.

This is a zero‑hour, fixed‑term role for December dates only, paying £13.25 per hour. Applicants complete an online assessment; an enhanced DBS check is required.

Qualifications

• Helpful and friendly demeanor for guest-facing role.
• Positive ‘can-do’ attitude and willingness to learn.
• Enthusiastic and eager to contribute to festive setup.
• Team player who can also work on own initiative.
• Flexible and adaptable to varying shift patterns.

Responsibilities

• Greet families and children in costume as part of the grotto team.
• Hand out gifts and contribute to a welcoming festive atmosphere.
• Work in the Christmas grotto and related play spaces at Quarry Bank Mill.

Skills

Helpful & friendly

People person

Enthusiastic

Team player

Flexible & adaptable

Job description

At Quarry Bank, we welcome many families during the festive period to enjoy a much-loved and traditional Christmas experience. We’re looking for someone to take on the character of Father Christmas – Christmas Helper, and to support the grotto team in bringing the magic alive.

Salary: £13.25 per hour

Contract Duration: Fixed term until 23rd December 2026

Working Pattern: This is a zero-hour contract, meaning wecan’tguarantee 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.You'll need to be available to work from 9am to 4.45pm on the following dates: Friday 11th December, Wednesday 16th December, Friday 18th December, Sunday 20th December, Tuesday 22nd December and Wednesday 23rd December.

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.

This role isrequiredto work with vulnerable groups includingchildren,and any offer of employment or volunteering is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

What it's like to work here

This former cotton mill was built in 1784 and is one of Britain’s greatest industrial heritage sites. The busy estate hosts many schools programmes and events, which help bring Quarry Bank’s fascinating story to life. New areas of the estate will shortly open to the public, creating additional project-based roles. This is an exciting opportunity to work in fast growing location and the team pride themselves on being dynamic, highly motivated and passionate people.

You’ll be working in costume, greeting families and children, and handing out gifts as part of our staff and volunteer team. You’ll be giving everyone the warmest of welcomes, so every single person can experience the magic of Christmas and have a festive visit to remember. You'll be working both in a traditional Christmas grotto in Quarry Bank House and in our Mill Play Space for baby and toddler sessions.

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 for

We'd love to hear from you if you’re:

• helpful and friendly
• a people person, with a positive ‘can-do’ attitude
• enthusiastic, and willing to learn
• a team player, who can also work on your own initiative
• flexible and adaptable

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)
• 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.

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.

National Trust place

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Wilmslow, SK9 4LA

Documents

Father Christmas - Christmas Helper - A2.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 25 October 2026

Provisional Interview Date: 03 November 2026