A CALL has gone out for more volunteers to help out at Barnard Castle’s arts centre.
The Witham has about 40 people who give their time to support the small team of staff.
However, Shelagh Avery, chairwoman of The Witham trustees, said that with an ever-increasing number of shows, events, meetings and other activities, more helpers were needed.
She said there was much more to volunteering than “just sitting in the box office or shop” .
“There are opportunities in business administration, IT systems, handy person-type work along with volunteering in the cafe and stewarding the music hall,” she added.
And Ms Avery is keen to recruit from all sections of the community.
“There is a perception that volunteers are generally women and generally older,” she said.
“We want to try to recruit younger volunteers going right to the other end of the age profile – 16 and 17-year-olds at sixth form who are probably thinking about going to university.
“Volunteering in any of these areas would certainly enhance their CV.”
Ms Avery said volunteering opportunities were also open to people who were looking to return to work for whatever reason.
“My guarantee is that anybody who indicates an interest in volunteering at The Witham would be met and there would be a conversation about their skills, background, experience and their availability to see how we could make them fit,” she said.
“It could lead to some
quite individualised programmes.”
Ms Avery said she wished to emphasise that more volunteers were needed due to the increase in programming at The Witham and to complement the existing team of helpers.
“I would also reinforce the message that we only have a really small staff with only one full-time member of staff here,” she said.
“As we are putting more things one, whether that’s an evening show or a class during the day, we need more people.”
A regular volunteer meeting is held on the last Thursday of the month to ensure a two-way flow of information.
“These meetings are usually well attended.
“As well as being a social gathering, it is an
opportunity to brief the volunteers on any new developments as well as a chance to get feedback from the volunteers on what we do.”
Anyone interested in volunteering at The Witham can contact the centre on 01833 631107.
Information on all events and activities at the centre is available at www.witham.
org.uk
