Help in Santa's Grotto (2024)

Leigh Park Christmas Grotto has been going now for nearly 20 years, running for 3 days a week at least in the last 4 weeks before Christmas. It is entirely staffed by volunteers who give of their own time freely in creating a Winter Wonderland in one of the empty shops in Greywell Shopping Precinct, and then welcoming children from the community to experience the true spirit of Christmas.

Every child is given a wrapped present, a card from Santa, a sweet (if allowed by parents) and a badge. Also parents are encouraged to take photos and share on our Facebook page. There is careful purchasing of presents, so that the cost of entry is kept as reasonable as possible.

Volunteer roles available:

• Helping to build the grotto during late October and November.
  
• Outside the shop to encourage children to come in.
• Welcoming the children in, and chatting to them while they wait.
• Being a runner to the Elves workshop with the name and age of each child.
• Sitting with Santa while they tell him what they would like for Christmas.
• Helping to select the present for each child in the elves workshop, and preparing the card from Santa.
• In early January, helping to pack the grotto away.

*Costumes are provided for all the above roles*

Skills

• Ability to work as part of a team
• Sense of fun
• Able to communicate easily with children and enjoy being with them
• Patience, especially when there is a queue!
• Punctuality