What it's like to... Work at a theme park

The sights, sounds and smells can make them an experience for all the senses and millions of adventure-seekers flock to sites across the UK every year.

For most of us the visit will likely form part of a holiday or a special day out but what about the staff who work at theme parks every day?

Helen Troth began working at West Midland Safari Park's Adventure Theme Park in February this year and she says operating the rides is just as much fun as taking a spin on them.

"After having worked in an office for years, I really wanted to work outdoors.

"I've always wanted to work at the safari park, especially with the animals as I have a HND (Higher National Diploma) in animal welfare and thought I'd get a foot in the door, but since working as a ride operator, I absolutely love it and it's on my door step," says the 34-year-old.

The theme park, near Bewdley, has a total of 28 rides with some of them aimed at real thrill-seekers.

These include the stomach-churning Venom Tower Drop, which brings people plummeting back to earth from 98ft in the air and Black Fly, which is said to try 'its very best to disorientate and astound' its passengers.

But there are also the more traditional ones such as the pirate ship, dodgems and carousel as well as those that cater for younger visitors at the Tiny Tots Theme park.

Depending on the time of season, there can be between 60 and 100 staff working across the site to help the hundreds of thousands of people who are welcomed through the gates every year.

Helen's main responsibilities include making sure her assigned ride for the day is safe and presentable for guests.

She is also kept busy checking wristbands and tickets as well as the heights of guests and ensuring they all have a good time.

But it's also important that before starting the ride she balances it so the weight is evenly spread and that there are no loose items such as people's belongings.

Then while it is in motion, she has to keep an eye on everyone as well as how the ride is moving.

Describing a typical day as a ride operator, Helen says: "I start at 10.30am and wait to be assigned to a ride. Then I get to my ride to do the pre-opening checks.

"If everything is perfect, I then open the ride for the guests – usually at 11am when the Adventure Theme Park opens.

"A typical day is normally very good with lots of laughter with my guests.

"At the end of the day I have to close my ride and fill in the ride paperwork and hand that in, along with the keys and radio walkie talkie to the theme park office."

For Helen, who lives in Kidderminster, visitors to the park always help to make her day as she enjoys a laugh and a joke with them as they queue and board the rides.

But what also makes it a special job is the close-knit team she works with.

"I enjoy the guest interaction – someone telling you that you have made their day is the best feeling. I also love the people I work with, we are a big happy family.

"If you work hard and are good at your job, you have the opportunity to learn how to operate the bigger rides, which is great.

"Plus I've lost weight doing this job which is a bonus!," she adds.

However the job can bring with it some challenges from time to time because people may be stopped from going on one of the rides for health and safety reasons.

Some of the attractions, especially the thrill rides, have height restrictions which can leave younger visitors disappointed if they are not tall enough to board.

"When trying to explain our height restrictions, guests sometimes get upset and we can't let them on.

"It is the ride manufacturers that set the heights and we have to abide by them for health and safety.

"The welfare of our guests is of the highest priority," explains Helen.

The park's newest thrill ride Kong, which opened last year, is Helen's favourite.

Riders sit on a circular platform, which has outward-facing seats and moves back and forth along a half-pipe track while spinning. And as the names suggests, there is a giant gorilla standing guard at the foot of the attraction.

"It's a fantastic ride and you can have great interaction with the guests. It's very popular and I love the theming," says Helen.

When she is not operating the rides, Helen's favourite part of the safari park is the African Village, which is located a short distance away.

She adds: "This is where you can find the meerkats and I adore them. What's more adorable than a meerkat?!"

By Heather Large