66 Arts culture heritage volunteer volunteer roles

Could you help shape the future of one of Suffolk’s most important heritage and conservation sites?

The Landguard and Felixstowe Conservation Trust seeks an experienced and inspirational Chair to lead its Board and support the long-term development of the nationally significant Landguard Peninsula, home to the Grade I listed Landguard Fort, Nature Reserve, Museum and Bird Observatory.

Welcoming around 500,000 visitors annually, the Trust works with volunteers, staff and partner organisations to conserve and enhance this unique heritage and wildlife asset.

You will bring strategic leadership, governance experience, excellent communication skills and a commitment to charitable values.

This is an unpaid role (reasonable expenses reimbursed).

For further information and an informal discussion, contact Paul Grant.

 A pack has been produced to be sent to all potential candidates that express an interest in the role. A copy can be provided on request.

West Midlands Heritage Trust, along with its three partner project trusts, is seeking to appoint a new Trustee Treasurer to its board. This is an exciting opportunity to help guide our work in rescuing, restoring, and finding sustainable new uses for historic buildings in our region.

Who are we?

We are four building preservation trusts all based in the West Midlands, working together to share our knowledge and experience to save Historic Buildings at Risk.

West Midlands Heritage is made up of: West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust, Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust, and Wolverhampton Heritage Trust.

We aim to safeguard buildings of historical and/or architectural importance, within the West Midlands, Worcestershire and Warwickshire which are in danger of being lost. Our previous projects range in age and type from a 16th Century farmhouse to a Georgian townhouse and a Victorian Cemetery Chapel. 

As well as projects to protect and rescue historic buildings, the Trusts organise a range of activities and events to encourage and involve our members and local communities, as well as contribute to professional development within the sector.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking a volunteer Trustee Treasurer with an interest in saving historic buildings at risk and contributing to their local community.

The Treasurer plays a key role in supporting the financial governance of the Trusts and helping to ensure their long-term sustainability. Working with fellow Trustees and staff, including a Finance Officer, the Treasurer will oversee financial reporting, budgeting and financial controls, and provide advice on financial matters affecting the organisation.

We welcome applications from individuals with experience in:

• Finance, accountancy or bookkeeping
• Financial management of charities, businesses, or within the public sector
• Strategic financial planning
• Risk management or governance

A recognised accounting qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.

It is not necessary to have previous trustee experience, as support and guidance will be given.

What the role entails

• Attendance at up to SIX evening meetings of The Council of Management per year, plus the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• Attendance at finance sub-committee meetings.
• Optional attendance at other meetings and site visits within the West Midlands, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
• Preparation of financial reports for the Council of Management and the AGM
• Responsible for overseeing Finance Officer role and activities
• Oversight of Trust bank accounts and authorisation of payments, monthly, with Finance Officer
• Oversight of Restricted Fund Management, with Finance Officer
• Liaison with the Trust’s appointed accountants (book-keeping) and auditors, with Finance Officer

Trustees are elected for a 3-year term of office, and may offer themselves for re-election thereafter. Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

We are keen to make the role of Trustee Treasurer accessible to all and will endeavour to make necessary arrangements for individuals unable to attend in person, including the use of online meeting platforms.

Artemis was founded in 2007 and has been delivering high-quality performing arts education in Bracknell ever since. 
The charity is now operating at scale and is on track to achieve a turnover of £1 million in 2026, delivering theatre, dance and cheer provision alongside education and wellbeing outcomes for children, young people and adults. We work with around 600 people a week through classes, workshops and outreach.

This all means our Board of trustees is growing, and we are looking for a Trustee with experience of charity and theatre finance.

We're seeking a trustee with experience in arts, culture, philanthropy or charity governance to complete the board of a new international arts charity supporting emerging artists. As a trustee you'll play an essential role in shaping the early direction of ellipse art projects UK and helping us open new opportunities for emerging artists from Southeast Asia, Africa, in the UK.

This year, we're launching our UK charity alongside our existing French endowment fund, submitting our registration to the Charity Commission, and preparing our first major partnership with a cultural non profit organisation in London. The board will lead these foundational decisions. For this reason, we're looking for a trustee with experience in UK charity governance, ideally in the arts or culture sector. If you have set up or grown a UK charity before, even better.

Our board is intentionally small: three to four trustees, meeting two to three times per year (in person or online). We are just starting out and hoping to build a friendly, engaged and collaborative board, one that combines the strategic ambition of our founders with the calm, informed guidance of experienced trustees like you.

The mandate is three years, renewable.

ABOUT US 

Central and North West London (CNWL) Trust has almost 7,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. 

Arts in Health (AiH) is a step-down service from the Community Mental Health Hubs (CMHH), offering a programme of regular creative activities to support adults with lived experiences of mental health difficulties.

Our programme consists of weekly sessions on a Thursday – taking place at an art studio in W9 and cultural visits to museums and galleries across Central London. 

Participants can attend Arts in Health for roughly 8 months. Therefore, we request that volunteers commit to 8 months (1 term) or the whole year (2 terms) if possible. 

Term 1 runs from Sept 2026 – March 2027 and Term 2 runs from April 2027 – Dec 2027.

ABOUT THE ROLE 

We are looking for a local volunteer ‘travel buddy’ to accompany and support a participant from home to the Arts in Health session locations, every Thursday. This would best suit someone living close to Westminster or Kensington & Chelsea due to travel time, but we are open to further afield. 

Participants may need support because they feel anxious travelling alone, going to a new place, taking public transport, have fluctuations in their mental health, or need the accountability of having a travel buddy.

You won’t be attending the 2 hour sessions (2-4pm) of the project, but you will be free to spend those two hours looking at shops, museums, reading, or going to a cafe.

COMMITMENT AND LOCATION 

You will need to be available on Thursday afternoons, from late September, to provide weekly support - arriving with your participant at the selected venue by 1.45pm and picking up just after 4pm. This means you'll approximately be needed from late morning until early evening, depending on travel times. 

Travel buddies will have an online induction with the Arts in Health team before the project starts to share more about the project, learn about safeguarding within the team and to answer any questions. 

Programme dates and locations for 2026-27 confirmed once in post. 

Locations 

1. Art Studio -Maida Vale area W9

1. Cultural visit to a museum / gallery* - various locations across central London

*There may be slight changes to time on occasion according to the venue 

KEY TASKS 

• Travel to the participant’s home or a mutually agreed location nearby; meet them outside 

• Supporting a participant to travel to and from the venue, from their home, using public transport, to ensure they get to the session with time to settle before it starts

• Plan the journey from where you greet participant, to the session location in advance 

• Wait patiently for two hours without attending the session, and then travel back to their home location at the designated time

• Encourage the regular attendance of participants 

• Report any issues or concerns to the AiH team 

• Read and follow our policies & procedures - designed to keep you safe, including guidance around confidentiality 

KEY TRAITS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE 

• A kind, caring and supportive nature, with an ability to relate positively with both staff and clients 

• Be organised, with the ability to plan travel routes and travel confidently using public transport 

• Empathetic, compassionate, patient, tolerant and considerate 

• Good communication skills, including responding to emails and calls in a timely manner 

• An interest in working with mental health, adults with complex needs and learning more about using the arts for wellbeing and self expression. 

• An understanding of individual patients’ needs taking into consideration cultural and religious requirements 

• Reliability: to be someone we can rely on 

• Committed: to be consistent and dependable

• The ability to work independently whilst staying within the role’s boundaries, recognising what should and shouldn’t be done, when to seek advice or report concerns. 

• Committed to the values and policies of the Trust, including Data Protection and Equal Opportunities

WHAT IS IN THERE FOR YOU? 

• The opportunity to gain experience and develop knowledge and skills of working with adults with experiences of mental health issues 

• Provide a supportive and empathetic service 

• Learn about safeguarding adults 

• Learn more about the ethos and work of Arts in Health 

• Experience and insight into working within the NHS and healthcare sector, and working within a community environment

• Full support and a range of relevant training, including local induction and orientation 

• Access to the Volunteer to Career (VtC) programme to support you enter careers in the NHS through volunteering once 30 hours of volunteering have been completed 

• A reference for future volunteering or employment, following completion of at least 60 hours of volunteering 

• Following our expenses policy, reimbursement of agreed expenses

Volunteer Opportunity – Treasurer Trustee
Independent Arts Isle of Wight

Do you have financial skills and experience that could help strengthen creativity, wellbeing, and
community connections across the Isle of Wight?

Independent Arts is seeking a Treasurer Trustee to join our Board and help support the charity’s
continued growth and sustainability.

Independent Arts works with people of all ages and backgrounds, using creativity and
participation in the arts to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, build confidence, and
strengthen communities. We believe that creativity can have a positive impact on people’s lives,
and we are looking for someone who shares our values and wants to make a meaningful
contribution.

As Treasurer Trustee, you will play an important role in helping the Board oversee the charity’s financial affairs, ensuring strong financial governance and supporting informed decision-making. You will work alongside fellow trustees and staff to help ensure the organisation remains financially sustainable and able to continue delivering its valuable work across the Isle of Wight.

We are looking for someone who can offer:
• Experience in finance, accounting, budgeting, business planning, or financial
management
• The ability to understand and explain financial information clearly
• Strategic thinking and sound judgement
• A collaborative approach and willingness to contribute to Board discussions
• Commitment to good governance and the aims of Independent Arts
Previous charity trustee experience or a professional accounting qualification would be
welcome but is not essential. We encourage applications from people with relevant skills and
practical experience from a range of professional and personal backgrounds.

What you’ll gain from the role:
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact within the local community
• Experience of charity leadership and governance
• The chance to use your professional skills for social good
• The opportunity to work alongside a passionate and committed Board and team
• A chance to support creativity, wellbeing, and inclusive community development across
the Isle of Wight

Time commitment
This is a voluntary role. The Treasurer Trustee will be expected to attend quarterly Board and
finance committee meetings and review papers in advance, with additional time required to
support the CEO in financial planning, Board and annual reporting activities.
Independent Arts is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications
from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and communities.
 

Creative Arts & Drama Group Volunteer

We are looking for friendly, creative Volunteers to support our weekly arts and drama groups for adults. Sessions run throughout the week and provide a relaxed, inclusive space for people to explore creativity, build confidence and support their mental wellbeing.

These are informal, participant-led groups, and our participants include adults who are:

• Autistic
• Non-verbal or have limited verbal communication
• Blind or visually impaired
• Wheelchair users or people with mobility difficulties
• Adults with learning disabilities or learning difficulties
• Individuals with a wide range of confidence levels and communication styles

What you’ll be doing

• Helping set up and pack away session spaces and resources
• Preparing refreshments (tea and coffee)
• Welcoming and supporting participants
• Encouraging engagement in creative activities (art or drama)
• Supporting a safe, inclusive and relaxed group environment
• Being present alongside participants during sessions

What we’re looking for

• Friendly, patient and reliable
• Comfortable working in inclusive and diverse settings
• Interest in creativity, arts or drama
• Supportive, non-judgemental approach
• Commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and community
• Ability to follow safeguarding and organisational guidelines

Time commitment

• 2–3 hours per session
• Weekly sessions across the week on a rota basis
• Occasional training and volunteer meetings

What you’ll get

• Experience supporting creative arts and drama sessions
• Training and ongoing support
• Opportunity to work alongside experienced facilitators
• Experience supporting adults with diverse communication and support needs
• Agreed expenses (if applicable)
• A welcoming and supportive volunteer environment

Open Studio Mental Health Arts group

We are looking for a creative, enthusiastic Volunteer to support our Mental health art group ‘Open Studios’ for adults on Thursday afternoons.

Open Studios is a friendly space where people can paint, draw or create without pressure.

This is a workshop space to work on your own choice of art. It is not a taught session, but guidance is available from our artists. Aimed at those who are experiencing social isolation or who are working towards healthier mental wellbeing.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll work closely with the Magic Carpet Artist practitioner/s to create a safe and welcoming space for group members to explore their creativity.

Tasks may include:

• Setting up tables and chairs ready for the group
• Making teas and coffee
• Getting out art materials and resources
• Supporting group members to decide what they might like to do
• Being ‘alongside’ group members (this may include spending time working on your own artwork)

We’re looking for someone who:

• Enjoys supporting people to improve their mental health and wellbeing
• Believes in art and creativity as a powerful tool for prompting wellbeing
• Is reliable, friendly, and comfortable working with people
• Cares about community, creativity, and inclusive arts
• Is willing to abide by ECIs code of conduct and safeguarding procedures.

Time commitment

• 2.5 hours per week (1.45pm – 2.15pm)
• Occasional volunteer meetings and training sessions

What you’ll get

• Hands-on experience with a creative arts project
• An opportunity to work alongside an experienced and professional artist practitioner
• Experience working with people with mental health support needs (this may also include Neuro divergence and mild learning disabilities).
• Agreed expenses if applicable
• Tea and lots of gratitude!

Do you want to make a genuine difference in the lives of children and young people? Volunteer with our award-winning charity as a Qualifying/Qualified Therapist and help bring compassionate, accessible support to those who need it most.

We are currently recruiting for trainee or qualified therapist placements for our Express Plus arts therapy service. Express Plus offers creative, client-led therapy for children and young people aged 7–18 (or up to 25 where additional needs are present). The service runs during term-time only, with sessions held after school in Family Hubs located in the three most deprived wards of Westminster. We work within a community setting and place a strong emphasis on reflective, responsive practice.

To apply, candidates must be in the 2nd year of, or have completed, one of the following training courses:

• Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
• Systemic/Family therapy
• Counselling and Psychotherapy (ideally with some external experience of working with CYP in any setting)
• Art Psychotherapy 
• Play therapy

This placement is also suitable for qualified therapists working towards professional accreditation. 

Further details and how to apply can be found in the attached Placement Pack. 

We are looking for volunteers, predominantly childcare, for our Amies projects supporting female survivors of trafficking.

The Amies Projects are drama and singing workshops, providing an uplifting and empowering space for participants to make friends, learn new skills and get creative together.

We hold three sessions each week and provide childcare for all the participants who need it. The sessions for the participants are in an adjacent room to the childcare space, meaning parents are nearby.

We are seeking volunteers to offer their time twice a month (although more is always welcome!), one session will be offering childcare support, the other session will be assisting with the workshops.

Key Info

• Sessions are 2 hours long
• We share a meal before starting sessions, and have a short debrief afterwards
• Project is based in Vauxhall
• Induction training provided (building induction, safeguarding, boundaries)
• Sessions are term time only

Availability

We are seeking support for the following sessions (term time only):

• Mondays 17:45-20:00
• Tuesdays 14:15-16:00
• Tuesdays 17:45-20:00

Essential

Some experience looking after children aged 0-12

Willingness to undergo Enhanced DBS check

Desirable

Understanding of safeguarding (we will offer training if not)

Description of role

Childcare once a month: To provide childcare for young people aged 0-12. During the session there is no set curriculum to follow. We encourage children to be creative, offering arts supplies eg. play doh and crayons, as well as toys for creative play. Children will have food during the session, which will be provided either by the charity or by the parents depending on the age and preferences. Children will need to be supported to use the toilet, nappies changed etc. We ask that volunteers alert staff of any safeguarding issues arising.

Supporting the workshops once a month: Assisting our artist facilitators and participant volunteers with the running of the sessions, including setting out food, tidying after the meal, setting up the space and participating in the workshops (singing and drama activities).

Fort Amherst Heritage Trust cares for Fort Amherst in Chatham, Kent, preserving an important historic site and making it available for the benefit, enjoyment and education of the wider community. The Trust relies heavily on volunteers to help maintain, restore, interpret and promote the site for present and future generations.

Role Purpose

Trustees are collectively responsible for the governance, strategic direction and long-term sustainability of Fort Amherst Heritage Trust. As a Trustee, you will help ensure that the charity fulfils its charitable purposes, complies with its legal duties and makes decisions in the best interests of the Trust and the communities it serves.

Key Responsibilities

· Work with fellow Trustees to set and review the Trust’s vision, strategy and priorities.

· Ensure the Trust carries out its charitable purposes for the public benefit.

· Oversee the responsible management of the Trust’s finances, assets, buildings, grounds and collections.

· Support good governance by complying with the Trust’s governing document, charity law and relevant regulations.

· Monitor risks, policies and procedures, including health and safety, safeguarding, finance, data protection and volunteer management.

· Contribute to discussions and decisions at Board meetings, reading papers in advance and offering constructive challenge and support.

· Act as an ambassador for Fort Amherst, promoting its heritage, community value and volunteer-led work.

· Support fundraising, partnership development and community engagement where appropriate.

· Declare and manage any conflicts of interest and maintain confidentiality where required.

Skills and Experience

We welcome applications from people with a commitment to heritage, community benefit and good governance. Previous trustee experience is helpful but not essential. The Trust is particularly interested in people who can bring one or more of the following areas of experience:

· Heritage, museums, archives, conservation or historic buildings.

· Finance, fundraising, grant applications or business planning.

· Education, learning, interpretation or visitor experience.

· Volunteer management, community engagement or inclusion.

· Marketing, communications, events or digital engagement.

· Legal, governance, risk management, health and safety or safeguarding.

· Property, estates, facilities management or environmental stewardship.

Personal Qualities

· A genuine interest in Fort Amherst, local heritage and public benefit.

· Sound judgement, integrity and a willingness to act collectively with other Trustees.

· Ability to think strategically while understanding practical operational challenges.

· Confidence to ask questions, offer constructive challenge and support good decision-making.

· Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and respectful working relationships.

· Willingness to give sufficient time and attention to the role.

Join our team of Park Welcome Volunteers at Crystal Palace Park and help maintain the park's warm atmosphere. Volunteering in pairs, you’ll walk designated routes around the park sharing advice and information with visitors. You’ll communicate details about the park’s regeneration works, history, wildlife, and facilities and support us by monitoring our heritage points and reporting information to Park staff using a data collection sheet at the end of your shift.

At different times your role may include: 

• Being a visible presence and ambassador for the park

• Welcoming visitors, helping with wayfinding and providing information about park services; toilets, cafes and seating areas 

• Sharing details about the park’s activities, heritage, and community events with visitors and promoting responsible park use.

• Walking to our heritage points and monitoring their cleanliness and safety

• Sharing your observations and information with park staff through a short survey at the end of each shift

This role will suit you if: 

• You enjoy walking and spending time outdoors 

• You are comfortable talking with others and interacting with the public

• You are happy volunteering in a pair 

• Knowledge and interest in local history, nature, or community would be an advantage, but full training will be provided 

Reasons to get involved: 

• Join a friendly, enthusiastic, and supportive team and meet people from all walks of life

• Learn more about the park’s heritage, wildlife, and regeneration works 

• Help inspire others to care for and enjoy this historically significant and important green space 

• Gain experience in a public facing and community engagement skills 

What you need to bring: 

Please wear comfortable, sturdy footwear and suitable clothing for walking outdoors. You may wish to bring a bottle of water and snacks. 

We will provide:  

• A green volunteer high-vis vest to wear while on duty 

• A contact telephone number for park staff 

• Access to facilities and refreshments 

• Ongoing support and supervision from park staff

Support and training: 

• We will provide you with all the training necessary for your role, including: 

• General volunteering training and onboarding

• Additional Park Welcome training which will cover how to share information with staff, safeguarding and helping visitors look after the park responsibly 

• A walk around the park on designated Park Welcome routes with park management

• Ongoing guidance and support from the Volunteer Team 

• Reimbursement of travel expenses up to maximum of a zone 1-6 travelcard

• Volunteers are covered under Crystal Palace Park’s public liability insurance 

Access information: 

Welcome Volunteering takes place outdoors across various areas of Crystal Palace Park. The terrain may include grass, gravel paths, and uneven ground. We are happy to discuss any specific access requirements or adjustments.

About Crystal Palace Park:

Crystal Palace Park is an independent, community-led charity. Our mission is to protect, manage and improve Crystal Palace Park as a green, open, historic, ecological, recreational, sporting, cultural and educational resource in the interests of the community and other Park users. 

On 15 September 2023 we became the park’s custodian, taking over this responsibility from the London Borough of Bromley. We are devoted to its long-term maintenance and improvement as a vibrant ecological, recreational and historic resource. 

Our Volunteer programme is made possible thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players. 

China Plate are looking for new Trustees to join our friendly and dynamic Board. If you are interested in the ways arts and culture can have a positive impact on the world, we’d love to hear from you.

China Plate is an arts charity based in Birmingham and working across the West Midlands, the UK and internationally. We’re producers: we work with people to make creative projects happen. Our projects include theatre shows, training programmes, audio anthologies, short films and bus stop galleries.

Our artistic programme is underpinned by our four core values: creativity, optimism, integrity and inclusivity. We’re now looking for new Trustees who share these values and who, like us, are interested in bringing communities together to produce creative projects that fire the imagination, make positive change and are open to all.

Our Trustees meet four times a year to discuss the company’s strategy and progress, and to ensure we are meeting all our legal requirements. These Board meetings are hybrid: you can join us online or in our Birmingham office.

Trustees are not paid: they are volunteers who give their time to support charities. However, at China Plate we can cover costs like travel expenses for meetings and events. If Trustees have access requirements – for example if you require BSL interpretation, captioning, or information provided in particular formats – we will also put these into place.

You do not need to have been part of a Board before to join. You could be based in the West Midlands or elsewhere in the UK. We are looking to recruit new Trustees from either inside or outside the arts sector, including those who may not yet be familiar with our work. We’re interested in hearing from anyone who shares our values, is excited by what we’re doing and is keen to support, question and challenge us.

We would particularly like to recruit one Trustee who is a young person (18-30) who has previously taken part in one of China Plate’s Training & Development programmes – such as The Optimists, Young Producers, or our internships and placements.

Deadline to apply is 12pm (midday) on Wednesday 30th September 2026.

If you’d like to find out more, please visit our website to download the Trustee Recruitment pack.

If you’d like to have a conversation about the role prior to applying, please email our Executive Director Chloe. 

Customer Experience Volunteers (Cinema) play an important role in supporting the smooth operation of film screenings at the Studio.

Working alongside a member of the Customer Experience team, you will help create a welcoming, safe and enjoyable experience for customers attending our cinema screenings. This role provides additional support to the team member working within the Studio, helping to strengthen customer service, security and emergency response arrangements.

You will be a visible and approachable presence for customers, providing assistance where needed and helping to ensure the cinema environment remains welcoming, safe and well presented throughout the screening.

About You - What You Bring

• Has a passion for film and an interest in supporting our cinema programme.

• Enjoys providing excellent customer service and creating a welcoming atmosphere.

• Is reliable, professional and comfortable working as part of a team.

• Is confident working independently and able to remain proactive during quieter periods.

• Has good awareness of their surroundings and can respond calmly to customer needs or unexpected situations.

Cinema screenings can vary in attendance, and some sessions may be quieter than others. The successful volunteer will be someone who remains engaged, professional and proactive, recognising that maintaining a welcoming and safe environment is important even during quieter periods.

Previous customer service or cinema experience is desirable but not essential. Full guidance and support will be provided.

Due to film ratings volunteers need to be a minimum of 18 years old.