Volunteering Statement
Why use Volunteers? We need volunteers to become storytellers for children’s workshops on school visits; and to help encourage adults with dementia to take part in our activities.
Who Can Volunteer? Shoebox Theatre welcomes anyone who wishes to join us and who shares our interests and aims; and would like volunteers to come forward from all parts of the community.
How Do We Introduce Volunteers to Our Work? Volunteers are invited to join in the workshop activities as participants, and will be guided by our professional workers to support others in these activities. Volunteers are trained in confidence building theatre techniques. Practitioners and experienced volunteers provide support and guidance.
How Do we make sure that Volunteers are not out of pocket? Shoebox Theatre repays expenses, such as bus fares, on the same day, so no-one need be worried about being out of pocket through volunteering.
How do we ensure our Volunteers’ Safety? Because we work with the very young and the very old, we are always conscious of the health and safety of our volunteers and participants and make sure that activities are carefully controlled. Shoebox Theatre is covered by Public & Employee Liability Insurance with Royal Sun Alliance for its staff, volunteers and workshop participants. Its practitioners undergo Enhanced CRB checks.
Do Volunteers have any rights?
Volunteers, staff and participants all have the right to confidentiality; equal
consideration of their needs; and to be treated courteously and considerately.
Each individual’s contribution to the work and development of Shoebox
Theatre is welcome, both informally and at company meetings.
What is expected of our Volunteers?
Loyalty to the aims and work of Shoebox Theatre.
Confidentiality about other people's personal information.
A helpful attitude and a courteous and considerate approach towards the rest
of the team and the users of our services.
A willingness to upgrade skills and learn new ones.
Reliability – letting us know if you can't make a date/time already agreed.
Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses.
Shoebox Theatre Volunteer Role Description Storyteller & Role-player
The storyteller goes into schools with other volunteers, supported
by a professional practitioners:
to tell stories associated with the topic chosen by the school, to a group of
primary school children;
answer questions asked by small groups of children, about the topic preparedbeforehand;
& takes part in drama games, activities and role-play scenarios, prepared
and rehearsed beforehand, with other volunteers, professionals and children.
Person specification
Someone who can talk about their experiences from a time between
1930s – 70s;
have an interest in recalling earlier times;
enjoy telling stories; like working with children;
be flexible about days and times they can be available;
be willing to acquire the skills needed to be a good storyteller;
be willing to accept direction from professional practitioners.