VOLUNTEERING

Our charity relies heavily on the dedication of our teams of volunteers, whose contributions are invaluable to our cause.

There are various opportunities to become involved with the charity on a voluntary basis, and any hours you can offer are greatly appreciated. In return, we provide accredited training, opportunities to lead workshops, tailored support to meet your needs, comprehensive information, advice, and guidance, and assistance in transitioning into education or employment where necessary.

At the core of our charity's ethos is the belief in using art to improve the wellbeing of adults of any age and ability. This entails working with a diverse range of individuals, from those with complex needs to those at a more basic level. As part of our commitment to safeguarding, all roles require a DBS check, which we will assist you in applying for, as you will be working with vulnerable adults in some capacity.

  • Volunteering in our studio means working with our member base, offering artistic support and encouraging participation in conversations, group projects and events. This role is hands on, giving the opportunity to work with a variety of ages and abilities and interests. Different days offer different faces, attendance levels and interests.

    Training is provided and shadowing is offered until you feel comfortable to work freely with members on your own.

  • Volunteering in this role is very much public facing with an emphasis on customer service. It is our main goal for the gallery to promote local artists and their work so ensuring that the work is displayed to the best it can be and knowledge of the charity the work and the artist is imperative. Volunteers in this role are expected to promote public integration in open exhibitions, setting up new exhibitions, curating work and storing information and work safely and securely.

    This role is a change of pace to studio work however training is required and provided with ongoing support where needed.

  • Volunteering in this role can be part of other or as a standalone role. Outreach in the community is mainly focused on art sessions with schools, community centres, residential homes and minority groups. Organising, promoting and executing these sessions is one aspect of an events role.

    Other roles can be assisting in organising, promoting and executing seasonal events, raising awareness of the charity through public events or as part of an internal event.

  • This role includes event and project poster design, social media promotion and advertising, online group work and videos, along with website assistance and newsletter updates.

    This role can be completed from home, on the premises or as part of another volunteer role.

  • Volunteering in this role can be as little as helping the charity gain donations, sponsors and fundraising events like bag packing or sponsored walks. It can also include sourcing grants and assisting in applications or attending events on behalf of the charity.

    This can be incorporated into other volunteer roles or as a standalone role.

  • Having a background in community, mental health and caring, finance, fundraising and economics, or art, culture and creative areas all come in handy in this role. As part of this role you, alongside the rest of the board, are responsible for guiding the direction the charity moving forward based on the input of the members as we are a user led charity, as well as ensuring that the charity adheres to the standards and practices set forward by the Charity Commission and Hartlepool Art Studio Ltd mission statement. As a trustee you will be required to attend meetings held throughout the year (generally 6 bimonthly meetings) with the Project Lead to update on the progress, discuss ideas and ensure productivity of the charity on a whole.

    Training will be provided with this role, along with a DBS check and an invitation to sit in on a board meeting before taking part.

  • Artrium offers work experience placements with colleges and universities. As part of this we try to offer as much as we can over the timeframe required to match what you are wanting to get out of the placement in line with your course.

    If you are interested in this, please get in touch with the Project Lead to find out more.

  • If you hold a membership with the charity but still want to volunteer with us, we offer roles that fit into your schedule and don’t detract from your time that is spent within the services under your membership. For example, on certain days you use the services as a paying member and do not have any voluntary duties - you are there for you not the charity

  • Other volunteer roles have included IT technician, handyman, gardener, cleaner and recruitment.

WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS SAY