The Community for Reconciliation
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Volunteering at Barnes Close
Barnes Close operates with two types of volunteers.
Firstly there are a number of people from local churches who assist as required in the kitchen, cleaning, bed making, ironing, serving meals, filing, office work, telephone answering, gardening and in a host of other ways.
Secondly young people (normally aged 18-25 years) come and join the residential team for between 2 and 12 months. They are involved in all aspects of running Barnes Close and in the leadership of CfR events. We have welcomed volunteers from Austria, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Serbia Slovakia, South Korea and Sweden.
If you are interested in volunteering at Barnes Close please read the rest of this page and then contact Ian
The Community for Reconciliation is a network community of lay and ordained Christian people committed to work for peace and reconciliation.
Barnes Close is the residential and administrative centre of the Community for Reconciliation. It provides accommodation for up to 40 people. As well as putting on its own events the community uses Barnes Close as a conference centre where groups come for day or residential meetings. It is set in the Waseley Hills, 19 kilometres south of Birmingham and 9 kilometres north of Bromsgrove.
The Residential Community usually consists of up to five people. In addition there are three live-out members of the team plus other local volunteers who come in on an ‘as required’ basis to assist with the servicing of groups. Currently the live-in members of the team are Ian (Community Co-ordinator), Pamela (Centre Manager) Hannes & A-Young (International Volunteers from Germany and South Korea), the live-out members are Aly (Assistant Manager) Carole (Housekeeper), Lisa (Cook), Tim (Cook) and Roy (Gardener/Handyman).
Worship. We usually have Community Prayers in the Upper Room at 9.00am Monday to Friday. We hope that you will be happy to take part in the prayers or to lead them but they are not compulsory. We encourage you to worship in a local church whenever possible.
Work. Volunteers share in all aspects of the work. The normal working week is forty hours. You will be given a schedule of your work times each week. However it is difficult to estimate how long the cleaning up after guests will take as it depends on group size and other factors. Therefore the actual finishing times may be later or earlier than stated. The work will have two aspects. Inside work includes such tasks as general office work, waiting on guests, serving meals, clearing tables, washing up, washing, ironing and cleaning. Outside work includes general grounds maintenance and tidying up.
Clothes. You may wear any clothes of your choice at any time except that when working in the kitchen or dining room your must wear a white apron or coat and cap or hat as provided.
Time Off. You will be given two whole days off a week (not necessarily consecutive) and an additional week off for each three months worked. If you have a request for a particular day off please see Ian before the week’s rota’s are drawn up.
English Courses. Volunteers from outside the United Kingdom who spend September to May (at least) at CfR will be enrolled on an English Language course at a local college. This is paid for by CfR.
Community Life. As Barnes Close is a place of hospitality and the base of a network community we welcome guests both expected and unexpected. If guests come when you are in the house but not on duty please share in the welcoming and take an interest in what is happening.
Board and Lodging for volunteers includes provision of food, heat light and basics such as washing powder, toilet rolls, light bulbs and bed linen. It does not include personal toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, shoe cleaning materials, stamps or luxury food or drink items.
Pocket Money. Volunteers are given £30 pocket money each week.
Accommodation. Normally volunteers will be accommodated in a twin bedded room with an adjacent bathroom. Sheets and pillowcases are provided and should be changed every two weeks. Towels are provided and should be washed as required. In addition there is a small TV/sitting room for volunteers. When there are no guests in the house you may use the TV in the Coffee Bar, please leave it tidy with curtains open after use. You may borrow the guest CD player from the resources cupboard when guests are not in the house, please return it after use.
Washing Clothes. You may use the washing machine when it is not in use for house washing. Clothes may be dried outside on the drying green or, in the case of wet weather, inside on a clothes horse.
Meals. All food is provided on the premises and on days off you may take a picnic with you. If you choose to eat out the cost is borne by you. As far as is possible the community team eat all their meals together. When no guests are in you may be required to prepare meals in the community kitchen from the general supplies in the fridge, freezer or store. The same is true for breakfast if you are not on duty. Otherwise:
Breakfast. During Community events such as Holiday week or Kids for Peace please eat with the guests. For other events those on Breakfast duty eat in the dining room when all guests have been served.
Breaks. We usually take a 15 minute break around 10.45am and around 3.15pm as well as a 30 minute lunch break.
Lunch and Evening Meal. When groups are in it is expected that we all eat from the food prepared by the cooks. For Community events this is with the guests for other groups this is with them or immediately afterwards depending on space.
NB On occasions you may be able to use the Aga or Microwave to prepare meals but you must clear everything away immediately afterwards so that the kitchen is always ready for use by staff preparing guest meals. This is necessary in order to comply with health and hygiene regulations.
Telephone. Personal calls can be made or received outside working hours (emergency calls may be received at any time) on the payphone. In emergency calls may be made or received on the office phone but they must be brief and paid for. Volunteer's guests must use the visitor’s payphone.
Email. There is a staff computer that can be used for emails but not for internet surfing or using social networking sites. The time online should be logged in the telephone book and paid for.
Transport. During the day (except Sundays) the Merry Hill & Halesowen to Bromsgrove bus passes the end of Malthouse Lane. There are frequent buses from Bromsgrove and Rubery to Birmingham. Lifts are sometimes available to Bromsgrove, Rubery or Longbridge Station, at other times you may need to walk to bus stops at Frankley or Marlbrook. Please enquire in good time if you would like a lift.
Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the building or the immediate vicinity
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Website designed and maintained by Ian Ring, Community Co-Ordinator for the Community for Reconciliation.
(c) 2001-2008
Page Updated 18th April 2008