Learning & Participation Volunteers

Our Learning and Participation Department is always interested in hearing from local people who are interested in helping out with creative participation projects with young people and adults.

This could mean providing support on some of our regular art-based workshops, or perhaps assistant our youth theatre sessions. Our work is really diverse however, and the range of opportunities we have over the course of a year will vary. Often bespoke projects will come along for which we also need volunteers, so it's great for us to have a list of people to contact about getting involved.

It's also a great way for you to pick up new skills by working alongside arts professionals and to feel part of the work of the Corn Exchange. We also provide volunteers with training, where appropriate.

Details of current opportunities are listed below. Please contact us for more information, or to express an interest in helping out. Previous experience in arts-based
activities isn't always necessary but it is useful know of any skills you have already or if there's an area you're particularly interested in helping out with.

Current Opportunities (April 2022)

Ageing Creatively courses and projects

We are looking for volunteers to help out with our Ageing Creatively projects that we deliver here at the Corn Exchange and in community venues throughout West Berkshire.

Each month we hold a Memory Café in the Balcony Bar. We are looking for volunteers who will welcome people as they arrive, to serve the coffees, teas and cakes during the session, mix with the group for friendly chat and stay for 10 minutes or so to help clear the bar afterwards.

We have many other projects across West Berkshire, currently in Hungerford, Lambourn, Thatcham and Theale with more projects planned in those areas and in other areas in and around West Berkshire. Although our sessions are varied, in all projects the main requirements from our volunteers are to represent the Corn Exchange in a friendly and approachable way, to meet and greet our participants, mix with the groups for friendly chat, to help make and serve teas and coffees and to help clear up at the end of the sessions.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of the Ageing Creatively projects please e-mail [email protected] for more information.

Links to Thrive

Links to Thrive is our wellbeing referral programme. We deliver participatory sessions across community venues in West Berkshire to those who are faced with challenges in mental health, social isolation or loneliness. Sessions are creative, arts focused and supportive. We’re looking for local adults to support these sessions on a weekly basis, helping artists set up the space, making participants feel at ease, and letting us know
how it all went following the session. There is also always some tea making involved too! Sessions are currently being scheduled in Hungerford, Lambourn, Kintbury, Mortimer, Theale and Pangbourne. If you are interested and can help please email [email protected] for a registration form. For further info please email [email protected].