Volunteer at MAKE Southwest

Become a Volunteer and Make a Difference

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer and making a real difference, here’s all you need to know about our volunteering programme, what you need to do and what to expect.

Volunteering can be an extremely rewarding experience and you’ll be supporting the leading craft education charity in the Southwest. It is a great way to give something back to your community.

We have lots of exciting opportunities for you to get involved and you can focus on those areas which interest you.

Our volunteer scheme is only open to adults (18 years or above). If you are under the age of 18 but are keen to offer your time and support to MAKE Southwest, our work experience options might be more suitable. For enquiries about work experience should be directed to hello@makesouthwest.org.uk.

What volunteer opportunities are available?

There are a range of ways volunteers can support us at MAKE Southwest. It is easy to get involved.

You can have the flexibility to make these opportunities your own and support in a number of different ways if you want to get even more involved. Here are some examples:

Welcome/hosts

You will meet and greet visitors, offer information on current exhibitions and the retail gallery and answer any questions visitors may have.

Friends & maker recruitment

We are looking for someone to lead on our recruitment of Friends and potential new Maker-Members.

Community ambassadors

You will be one of our ‘Make Southwest ambassadors’ in your local community or the virtual community. This can involve distributing publicity about exhibitions and courses in your local community and using social media to promote Make Southwest activities.

Events support

You will assist at various MAKE Southwest events such as private views and assisting tutors at workshops.

Gallery stewards

You will work in the galleries and will be on hand to introduce the various exhibitions, help answer questions and encourage completion of feedback forms, including the Arts Council audience-survey.

Gardening

Tend to the plants in our our lovely courtyard and keep it looking fresh.

Craft mentors

We are looking for people to act as a mentor to up-and-coming makers and graduates of the Craft Club.

How Do I Apply?

If you are interested in any of these volunteering opportunities, we hope you will take the next step of completing our ‘About me’ form.

You are also very welcome to come in and visit us at Riverside Mill and have an informal chat, have a look around or ask any questions. To arrange a visit or a phone call, please contact hello@makesouthwest.org.uk.

We hope you decide you want to join us and look forward to hearing from you.

  1. Complete the ‘About Me’ form: all potential volunteers need to submit our ‘About me’ form. This is a simple application form which sets out your interests and explains why you would like to volunteer for MAKE Southwest.

  2. Selection: once you have submitted your application form, we will review your application and set up an informal, in person meeting with you to discuss further.

  3. Reference: if both parties are happy will we ask you to provide one reference (personal or professional), and arrange a start date.

  4. Start: once you are accepted as a volunteer, a full induction and any training will be provided to get you up to speed.

Benefits of Volunteering

We rely on the support of volunteers to keep us going. Your help will really make a difference to the craft community we are serving.

There are so many benefits you can get out of volunteering depending on what you are looking for.

  • Giving something back by playing an active part in your local community.

  • Making new friends and being part of a committed and enthusiastic team.

  • Gaining new skills.

  • Improving your confidence and social skills.

  • Mental and physical health and wellbeing.

FAQs

  • If you are interested in supporting MAKE Southwest, the craft education charity you must be 18 or over, legally entitled to volunteer in the UK and have a good command of spoken English.

    If you are receiving benefits, we suggest you tell your Job Centre.

    If you live outside the UK, please contact UK Visas and Immigration.

  • There’s no minimum time you can give. For some roles, such as welcome hosts and gallery stewards you would benefit from regular involvement such as one session per week. We can discuss this with you.

  • As a volunteer, you will not be paid. You will be helping the leading centre for craft in the Southwest, and helping people learn craft-making.

  • We’ll offer an induction to MAKE Southwest, along with regular updates. We’ll brief you about exhibitions and send regular e-newsletters.

    We’ll link you to a member of the MAKE Southwest team, who will be your first point of contact, and to other volunteers, so you can meet other like-minded people.

  • We hope you’ll decide to volunteer with MAKE Southwest. Please complete our ‘About me’ form We’ll be in touch to discuss what happens next. Usually, this is a visit to Riverside Mill (our home) and an informal chat.

  • Email your query to hello@makesouthwest.org.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Header image: Becky Crawford