Back in the days my OH used to do it, you register with the bank and tell them on a week by week basis what shifts you are available for and they contact you if one comes up.
He used to occasionally get asked if he could cover shifts where he hadn't said he was available but they expected you to say no but just tried on the off-chance cos they were desperate.
He was a nurse though so shifts came up quite often - not sure if it works exactly the same for reception - there are less of them so guess it would be less frequent maybe.
Thanks for that Anne.
So really,i would be better off telling them that i am always available,rather than telling them what shifts i COULD do,then there is more of a chance for me to do more shifts.
I would think so, I would ask them how many shifts you are likely to get.
My OH really only needed 1 or 2 a week and got enough, but as I say, he was a nurse and I should imagine there are more of them and therefore more to go off sick etc.
Just say you are always available but I'd still phone every week so they know you are keen and you might be their first port of call when something comes up :)