Voluntary Action South West Surrey

Description :

Volunteers are needed to help and encourage the clients of the Artventure Trust to:

• draw, paint, create recognisable objects using a variety of materials

• participate in simple physical activities such as walking, movements to music, drama, gardening etc.

Groups of up to 10 learning disabled participants attend the group each day.

Volunteers can be flexible in the days they come, but commitment is appreciated.

When Required :  Monday-Friday

Sessions run from 9:30-2:30pm Monday to Friday during term time.

Commitment: Part Time

Areas of Interest :  Art and Culture, Disability, Mental Health

Types of Activity :  Art, Community Work, General and Helping

Skills and Qualifications :

Volunteers should be interested in visual arts and caring for disadvantaged people. However, artistic skill is not essential - a caring approach is much more important, as is flexibility, initiative and a willingness to 'muck in'. Volunteers carrying out this role will be required to have a DBS check.

Additional/Specific Suitabilities :  16+

 Expenses:    Reasonable travel expenses

Training:    Initial supervision

 Directions :

At St Peter's Comprehensive School, located on Horseshoe Lane off the Epsom Road A246 in Merrow. Artventure occupies an artistically decorated building to the left side of the campus as viewed from Horseshoe Lane. The site is easily accessible by public transport.

Recruitment Method :

DBS Check, Informal Discussion, References

If you are interested,have any questions or would like to apply contact Mariann by completing the online application.

Guildford Opera is seeking a Costume Assistant to help with our next show!

We are looking for a volunteer with strong sewing skills to act as a Costume Assistant for our December 2026 production of Donizetti's opera Lucia di Lammermoor. Prior experience working in a theatre setting is desirable but not essential - we are a small charity and most of us are volunteers, so we're also keen to hear from talented amateurs who are confident working independently.

The role involves supporting our Costume Supervisor to prepare and maintain the costumes for the show.

Our ideal Costume Assistant would:

• Be confident in hand- and machine-sewing
• Be able to make a range of alterations (including blind-hemming, shortening dresses and sleeves, taking in trousers and sewing on buttons)
• Assist at costume fittings on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November (location TBC - in/near Guildford; lifts can be provided!)
• Have time between Sunday 29th November and Tuesday 1st December to carry out alterations to at least three costumes
• Have their own sewing machine to carry out alterations at home

We'd be delighted if you'd like to join us at the dress rehearsals and performances (1st-5th December) to help organise and maintain costumes during the run, however this by no means essential.

All our volunteers are treated just the same as members of the company - you'll have the opportunity to meet new people, join our social events and become part of a lively, welcoming community! Volunteers are also given a small allocation of free tickets to our shows, in recognition of the support they give.

We offer volunteers as much flexibility as we can and will adapt roles to suit you where possible. We welcome people from all backgrounds; we're also happy to provide reasonable adjustments to support you in your volunteer role.

To let us know you're interested in volunteering with us, please scroll to the top of this page and click on Fill in an application form (on the right-hand side of this advert). We'll then arrange an informal chat at a time to suit you - please note there's no commitment at this stage. We look forward to hearing from you!

Volunteer with halow!

Make a difference, have fun, and be part of our community

Marketing volunteer

Help to market the Sime Gallery’s events.

Create posters and flyers for upcoming events

Liaise with social media volunteers

Promote events to local newspapers, magazines, and on websites

Create and send events newsletter and manage email database

School workshop volunteer

Deliver learning workshops to local schools

Learn workshop for delivery (workshops have already been created) 

Up to 10 workshops to be delivered per year in term time 

Manage relationship between schools and SIME gallery and liaise for booking workshop dates

We are looking for 2-3 volunteers to share this role

West Horsley Place has been used as a filming location on many occassions, including for hit BBC series Ghosts! Fans of the show travel from around the globe to visit their beloved 'Button House'. We run tours of the house called 'Filming Favourites' every friday, select Saturdays and additional days during school holidays to welcome fans of the show. With the upcoming release of new film 'The Possession of Button House', we're looking for volunteer tour guides to support these touras which raise vital income to support the conservation of West Horsley Place. 

We're looking for confident and passionate volunteers to lead group tours of the manor house and gardens for up to 30 people. You will be an ambassador for our charity and a storyteller. You will have very good knowledge productions filmed at WHP, in particular BBC Ghosts and be able to share our stories with warmth and enthusiasm. You will have the ability to make people feel welcome and relaxed. This role is best suited to confident public speakers and those who enjoy interacting with people; group interaction is key on these tours. Filming tours are informal, fun and more interactive than other tours.

A backstop volunteer joins each group to help shepherd the group around the house.

Key info

• Very flexible volunteering – volunteer for once a month, once week, as frequently and as much or little as suits the volunteer
• All training provided – induction training for all volunteers and then specific guide training, plus 121 support with members of the team.
• Suits people who are comfortable leading a group and talking in public
• Film tours focus on what’s been filmed at WHP over the years which of course includes Ghosts. Would suit those who particularly love the show
• Benefits of volunteering – meeting like minded people; being part of the community that is building WHP into a place for art, heritage and nature; helping provide a welcoming, high-value visitor experience; opportunity to get involved in other activities if/as you might like; opportunity to come to WHP events; invitation to special volunteer events

Posted 11/09/26

Do you love history, stories, nature or arts and crafts?

At West Horsley Place we love to welcome people of all ages to enjoy the manor house and gardens, creating magical memories which will inspire a passion for creativity and history for a lifetime. We’re looking for volunteers to help us welcome children and families to the manor house during school holidays and weekends.

Volunteer activities in this role include:

• Meet and Greet
• Father Christmas
• Father Christmas' Elf
• Kitchen Elf (serving hot chocolate and supporting biscuit decorating)
• Christmas Decorating (in the run up to the event)
• Craft activity support
• Story reading

Key Skills and Experience

• A welcoming attitude and friendly smile
• A sense of fun and willingness to play
• Good communication skills
• Some roles require a DBS check.

We are looking for festive volunteers to support our Meet Father Christmas events on Sat 5 Dec, Sun 6 Dec, Sat 12 Dec, Sun 13 Dec, Sat 19 Dec, Sun 20 Dec, Mon 21 Dec, Tue 22 Dec & Wed 23 Dec. Shifts are 4 hours in the morning or afternoon and will schedule our rosters around your availability, whether that’s a single session or multiple. 

We also have opportunities for volunteers to support activities for families and other events throughout the year. 

Training

Find out more about volunteering with us by attending a volunteer induction. This session includes an orientation of the historic manor house and an overview of available roles. Our next volunteer induction training dates are Thurs 15 Oct at 13:00-15:00, additional training dates will be organised around volunteer availability. 

Following your induction, additional training for family activities support will be provided. We will hold a optional through of volunteer roles for Meet Father Christmas on Fri 4 Dec at 4-5pm.

If you would like to help but can't make these training sessions please get in touch to arrange an alternative time. 

Posted: 11/09/26

Do you love history, stories, nature or arts and crafts?

At West Horsley Place we love to welcome people of all ages to enjoy the manor house and gardens, creating magical memories which will inspire a passion for creativity and history for a lifetime. We’re looking for volunteers to help us welcome children and families to the manor house during school holidays and weekends.

Volunteer activities in this role include:

• Delivering interactive family activities 
• Sharing the history of the manor house with families.
• Craft activity support
• Story reading
• Minibeast hunting
• Garden games

Key Skills and Experience

• A welcoming attitude and friendly smile
• A sense of fun and willingness to play
• Good communication skills

These activities take place during school holidays, wednesday-friday and on weekends in the run up to Christmas. Shifts are 3.5 hours in the morning or afternoon. We don’t ask for a regular commitment for these roles, but schedule our rosters around your availability, whether that’s a few times per year or a few times per week.

Our next family activity is during October Half term holiday. We are looking for friendly volunteers to support activities 30-31 October.

There will be additional opportunities in the run up to Christmas and during school holidays in 2025

Training

Find out more about volunteering with us by attending a volunteer induction. This session includes an orientation of the historic manor house and an overview of available roles. Our next volunteer induction training dates are Tue 20 Aug 2-4pm, Wed 25 Sept 10-12am, Thurs 24 Oct 2-4pm, Thurs 14 Nov 2-4pm. 

Following your induction, additional training for family activities support will be provided. We will hold a fun through of volunteer roles for Meet Father Christmas on 29 Nov at 4-5pm.

If you would like to support these activities but can’t attend the training dates please get in touch to discuss alternative training opportunities.

Posted: 13/08/24

Do you love history, stories, nature or arts and crafts?

At West Horsley Place we love to welcome people of all ages to enjoy the manor house and gardens, creating magical memories which will inspire a passion for creativity and history for a lifetime. We’re looking for volunteers to help us welcome visitors as event and house stewards on an ad hoc basis

Volunteer activities in this role include:

• Admissions and Souvenir Sales
• Bar sales
• Event Steward (welcoming and directing visitors)
• House Steward (sharing the history of the manor house with visitors)
• Craft course support

Key Skills and Experience

• A welcoming attitude and friendly smile
• Good communication skills

We hold a variety of different events and activities including heritage open days (where visitors can explore the manor house and gardens), talks, courses and theatre events. Volunteers support these in a variety of different ways.  Volunteer shifts are 3.5 hours or less, depending on the event. Rosters are scheduled around your availability with no regular commitment. 

Training

Find out more about volunteering with us by attending a volunteer induction. This session includes an orientation of the historic manor house and an overview of available roles. Our next volunteer induction training is Thursday 15 Oct at 13:00-15:00, additional training will be shceduled around volunteer availability. 

Following your induction, you will be able to sign up for event stewarding roles, additional training is provided for open day stewards who share the history of the manor house with visitors. 

Posted: 11/09/26