Volunteers at Wordsworth Grasmere – the former home of poet William Wordsworth – and the Wordsworth Museum have described how their experience of volunteering has boosted their confidence and creativity, improved their social life and opened potential career opportunities.
Wordsworth Grasmere is now recruiting volunteers for what will be another busy year.
Becoming a volunteer is easier than ever thanks to Helping Hands, a two-year project to break down barriers to volunteering in Cumbria’s cultural sector.
Edward Davies is passionate about Romanticism and wanted to learn about career opportunities in museums and heritage but, as a transgender man, was apprehensive about whether he would be accepted. He needn’t have worried.
He said: “When I arrived, I realised how supportive everyone was.
“Everyone encouraged me to be myself. It has made me feel a lot more comfortable and confident.”
He also found that the role inspired his own artistic tendencies.
He said: “I’ve created more art and more writing here than I have in months because it’s such a supportive environment to be in.”
Trevor Eastes and Paul Davies, two of the regular local volunteers, have seen their social lives and wellbeing improve immeasurably.
Trevor said: “It makes me get up in the morning. It helps you interact with all sorts of people. It keeps your brain occupied.”
Paul added: “There is real camaraderie. It does get you out interacting, perhaps when you don’t meet that many people on a day-to-day basis.
“Coming out as a volunteer gives you a real buzz. We have a cup of coffee as well, it’s quite a social part of the week.”
And Sarah Nelson, a student from Utah in the United States, joined Wordsworth Grasmere for work experience but gained much more.
She said: “It has been about connection, getting to connect with the staff who are really passionate about this work and about the arts and, I’d say, enriching people’s lives, and reconnecting with the important things in my own life.”
She has this advice to anyone thinking about volunteering in arts and heritage.
“Don’t be worried about not knowing what to do,” she said.
“There are so many people at places like this who are so excited to share their knowledge with you and teach you how to do things. It’s exciting how much it enriches your life when you’re the one volunteering.”
‘Our brilliant volunteers make a vital contribution to many areas of our work. They’re part of a supportive and inclusive team at Wordsworth Grasmere. Come and join us,” said Michael McGregor, Director, Wordsworth Grasmere.
Helping Hands has already placed 380 volunteers with more than 30 arts, heritage and culture organisations from theatres to museums and stately homes. A third of them have never volunteered before.
The initiative is led by Cumbria Museum Consortium and involves 45 partner organisations. It is also working with Anti Racist Cumbria, Multicultural Cumbria, Cumbria Deaf Association and Triple A (Autism) Project to provide training and support for individuals.
You can watch a short film about volunteering at Grasmere on YouTube.
To find out more about volunteering opportunities visit the Helping Hands website or call 07442 972270.
