Volunteering at Riverhouse is a fun and rewarding experience. Many of our key roles, such as Jill Witham our wonderful Box Office Manager pictured here, are held by volunteers who have given up their time for years to keep Riverhouse running. We are constantly in awe of the dedication of our team.
However much or little time you have, we can find you a role to get involved with your local arts centre. After all, the community is what we’re all about!
For more information on opportunities, and for an application form, please contact volunteers@riverhousebarn.co.uk
Read the feedback we’ve had from some of our volunteers about why they enjoy working with us…
Jill Witham – Volunteer Box Office Manager
I am just beginning my 20th year volunteering at riverhouse. I started the job of Box Office Manager in January 1996. It is one of the last major positions still carried out by a volunteer. I produce a detailed analysis of all tickets sales for each event of which there are many! It’s hard work but the rewards are knowing how much one can contribute to the success of the venue and the community in which it exists.
Brian Arnold
I was asked to join Riverhouse volunteer group a long time ago (not sure how many years). At that time I was just a volunteer, no other title, that soon changed, by the list after my name now.
The reason I volunteer is you should give something back to the community, also I like to meet new people, and at the barn there is never a dull moment.
Without volunteers Riverhouse Barn would not exist as the great art centre it is today.
Mike Bowtell – Jazz Programmer
It was back in 2002 that I first started the modern jazz programme helped by a £5000 grant from Arts Council South East. I was still Riverhouse Chairman at the time but finding artists to play eight or nine gigs a year didn’t prove to be too onerous an additional job. Some one hundred concerts later I would like to believe that the quality of our jazz programming has been consistently high and I hope we will be able to continue with this important creative stream for the foreseeable future. I can’t personally think of a more rewarding contribution as a volunteer to be making to the artistic life of the local community.
Jo Freeman – Volunteer
“I feel like the Riverhouse is my second home! I am part of the regular comedy bar and lunchtime concerts teams. In July (2014), I voluntarily co-ordinated a Streetdance festival for local dance troupes in the borough. It was a fantastic evening! In 2013, I joined the Runnymede Drama Group which was performing at Riverhouse and culminated in my first stage performance in 15 years at the Rhoda McGraw Theatre! With Riverhouse’s support, I also teach an Adult Ballet class on Tuesday afternoons. I feel like a valued team member when I am at Riverhouse and becoming a volunteer is one of the best things I have ever done!”
Lottie Percival – Regular Volunteer
“Volunteering with Riverhouse has been a great way for me to remain involved in a creative and hands-on environment of exploring art with new groups of people, as I move on from a Foundation into further art and design study. So far it’s been exciting to meet other artists and volunteers in my local community to participate in fun and outlandish projects of sculpture making and festival parading, as well as being able to enjoy a great gallery space.”
For more information on opportunities, and for an application form, contact volunteers@riverhousebarn.co.uk
