Volunteering Information
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at This New Ground. Please read through the following information. If you’d like to apply to volunteer at This New Ground, complete an application form and return it to us. You can download an application form here.
This New Ground is an arts organisation that aims to elevate the artistic voices of learning disabled people. We aim to remove barriers and increase access for learning disabled people to lead, make and participate in the arts. Through creative engagement we transform lives and celebrate unheard voices.
Our volunteer programme is a vibrant and important part of This New Ground’s programme of work. Our volunteers provide the company with dedicated and essential support, fresh ideas and new points of view. As a volunteer you will receive practical experience, and mentoring from our staff team.
What you can expect from us
Our responsibilities are to:
• Provide meaningful and practical roles and tasks
• Ensure a structured and supportive environment for training and learning
• Provide regular supervision
• Reimburse out-of-pocket expenses (up to £15 per day)
What we expect from you
To get the most out of volunteering for us, we ask a few things from you:
• Be punctual, and give us a call if you are running late or unable to come in as soon as possible.
• Be a team player and support the Workshop Leader or colleagues in the office by listening and taking part.
• Make sure you observe confidentiality of the participants and your colleagues.
• Ask questions when you are not sure.
• Keep an open mind to new ideas and ways of working.
• To work within our Equal Opportunities, Protection of Vulnerable Adults and Health and Safety Policies. You will receive copies of these before you start volunteering for us.
We have 4 volunteer roles. Project Volunteers who support our artists in our workshops and Admin Volunteers, who provide administration support, Social Media Volunteers, who maintain and develop our social media activity, and Finance Volunteers, who oversee the organisation’s bookkeeping and support budget management.
Project Volunteer Role Description
Goal
To provide a valuable link between Workshop Leader and participants.
Tasks
• To provide support to participants and the workshop leader.
• To help set up / take down equipment.
• To ensure all participants arrive and leave ok from the workshops.
• To participate and contribute fully to the workshop process.
• To be sensitive to the participants, listening, encouraging their expression and showing a genuine interest in them.
• To be aware of group dynamics and support participants who are on their own.
• To help document the workshops.
Skills and Qualities
• Good inter-personal skills.
• Awareness and understanding of individual participants needs.
• Willingness to develop a strong working relationship with participants.
• Commitment to participate fully in workshops.
• An appreciation of the Arts in a participatory environment Time Commitment Projects vary in length but on average you will need to commit one day per week for 12-16 weeks.
Location
City of Portsmouth
Administrative Volunteer Role Description
Goal
To provide administration support to the staff team.
Tasks
• Marketing activities.
• Undertaking research projects.
• Communication with This New Ground stakeholders.
• Keeping the company database up to date.
• Office management tasks.
• To undertake additional tasks that may arise on a day to day basis.
Skills and Qualities
• Basic computer skills.
• Good inter-personal skills.
• Enthusiasm and a willingness to undertake other tasks and learn new skills.
Time Commitment
One day per week, for up to 3 months, which could be extended.
Location
City of Portsmouth as well as remote working.
Social Media Volunteer Role Description
Goal
To maintain and develop our social media activity across all channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Skills and Qualities
We are looking for someone with experience of working in a social media role and/or an experienced and keen user of social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
We need people with:
Experience in creating engaging digital content using a range of digital tools
Good understanding of social media trends and audiences
Knowledge of social media monitoring tools, digital evaluation and analysis
Good communication skills including good telephone and writing skills
Excellent attention to detail
Team player
Ability to research and collate information from the internet
Time Commitment
Half a day per week for up to 3 months, which could be extended.
Location
This role is available as remote working position.
Finance Volunteer Role Description
Goal
To oversee the organisation’s bookkeeping and support budget management.
Skills and Qualities
We are looking for someone to undertake book-keeping duties, including keeping records of income and expenditure and someone who is able to assist with the preparation, recording and reporting of project budgets.
We need people with:
Knowledge and experience of current and fundraising finance practice relevant to voluntary and community organisations.
Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management.
Experience using Excel.
Good financial analysis skills.
Ability to communicate clearly.
Time Commitment
Two half days a month
Location
This role is available as remote working position.