Volunteer With Art for Wellness CIC
Create • Connect • Inspire Wellbeing
Could you spare a little time to help make a difference in your local community?
At Art for Wellness CIC, we believe creativity can help people feel more connected, confident and supported. Our therapeutic art and creative wellbeing activities bring people together in welcoming, relaxed spaces where there is no pressure to be “good at art”.
Behind every successful workshop is a team of people helping to make that experience possible – and our volunteers are an important part of that team.
We are looking for friendly, reliable and supportive people to join our volunteer community and help us deliver creative wellbeing activities across Penistone and Barnsley.
You don’t need to be an artist. You don’t need specialist qualifications.
You just need to care about people, enjoy being part of a community and be willing to lend a helping hand.
Why do we need volunteers?
Our workshops are about much more than making something creative.
For some people, coming through the door can be a big step. They may be nervous about meeting new people, unsure about their creative ability, experiencing isolation, or simply having a difficult day.
Sometimes a friendly smile, a cup of tea, a helping hand or someone saying “Have a go – there’s no right or wrong” can make all the difference.
Our volunteers help us create the warm, welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that is at the heart of Art for Wellness.
As Art for Wellness grows, so do the opportunities we want to offer our communities. Volunteers help us reach more people, run activities smoothly and create experiences where everyone feels that they belong.
What might you do as a volunteer?
Every workshop and event is different, so we can talk to you about what you would enjoy and what you feel comfortable doing.
You may help with:
- Welcoming participants and helping them feel comfortable
- Setting up tables, chairs and creative materials
- Preparing art materials before a session
- Supporting simple, accessible creative activities
- Offering encouragement and friendly conversation
- Helping participants who may need a little extra support
- Making refreshments
- Keeping the creative space tidy and organised
- Helping with packing away at the end of a session
- Supporting community events and creative stalls
- Sharing information about Art for Wellness CIC and our programmes
- Helping participants find their way around a venue
- Taking photographs or helping us capture creative work where appropriate and with consent
- Supporting the Art for Wellness team with general workshop organisation
You won’t be expected to deliver therapeutic sessions yourself. Our volunteers work alongside the Art for Wellness team and will be given guidance about what is expected of them.
Where are volunteers needed?
We are particularly looking for volunteers around Penistone, where we run daytime therapeutic art and creative wellbeing activities.
There may also be opportunities to volunteer at activities and events across Barnsley and surrounding communities.
These could include:
🎨 Therapeutic Art Workshops
Helping with preparation, welcoming participants, creative activities and tidying up.
🌿 Creative Wellbeing Activities
Supporting nature-inspired and seasonal creative sessions.
💜 Community Events
Helping at local events, community days, creative stalls and activities.
🖌️ Special Projects
From time to time, we may have opportunities to support exhibitions, celebrations, community projects or other Art for Wellness activities.
You don’t need to be an artist
This is really important.
You do not have to be artistic to volunteer with us.
You might love painting, crafting, gardening, photography or being creative – but you might equally be someone who enjoys talking to people, organising things, making tea or simply creating a welcoming environment.
We value:
Kindness.
Reliability.
Patience.
Enthusiasm.
A willingness to help.
Sometimes the most valuable thing you can offer is simply being there.
What could you gain from volunteering?
Volunteering isn’t just about what you give. It can also be a wonderful opportunity for you.
As a volunteer, you could:
- Build confidence
- Meet new people
- Become more involved in your local community
- Develop new skills
- Gain experience in community arts and creative wellbeing
- Learn from experienced creative facilitators
- Explore your own creativity
- Gain experience that could support future employment or training
- Be part of a friendly and supportive team
- Try something new
- Help create positive experiences for other people
And perhaps most importantly, you can experience the satisfaction of knowing that your time has helped someone else feel welcome, connected and included.
Volunteering can be flexible
We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different.
You might be looking for:
Regular volunteering
Perhaps helping at workshops every week or every month.
Occasional volunteering
Helping when your availability allows.
Event volunteering
Supporting particular community events or special activities.
Experience-building volunteering
Developing confidence, skills and experience in a community organisation.
We will talk to you about your interests, availability and what you would like to get from volunteering.
There is no need to commit to more than you can comfortably manage.
Who are we looking for?
We’d love to hear from people who:
- Live in or around Penistone or Barnsley
- Enjoy being around people
- Are friendly and approachable
- Are reliable and willing to help
- Have an interest in creativity, wellbeing or community
- Enjoy learning new things
- Can work as part of a team
- Are respectful of people from different backgrounds and experiences
- Want to make a positive difference in their community
You may already have volunteering experience – or this could be your first volunteering opportunity.
Both are welcome.
What about supporting participants?
Our workshops welcome people with a wide range of experiences and abilities.
Some participants may be nervous, isolated or lacking in confidence. Others may simply appreciate having someone nearby to chat to while they create.
Volunteers are there to provide friendly practical and social support, rather than professional therapeutic or medical support.
You will never be expected to have all the answers.
If someone needs additional help, you can always speak to the Art for Wellness team.
Safeguarding and DBS Checks
Because Art for Wellness CIC works with people who may be vulnerable or require additional support, all volunteers will need to complete the appropriate safeguarding checks before volunteering independently with us.
This may include a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, particularly where volunteers may be involved in activities where they could come into contact with vulnerable adults or, occasionally, children.
The level of check required will depend on the type of volunteering role and the activities involved. We will discuss this with you as part of the volunteering process and let you know exactly what is required.
You don’t need to arrange a DBS check yourself before contacting us. We will provide guidance and explain the process to you.
Safeguarding is extremely important to us. We want our workshops and activities to be safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for everyone who takes part, and our volunteer processes help us maintain those standards.
We’d love to get to know you
When you contact us, we’d love to hear a little about you.
You might tell us:
- What interests you about volunteering with Art for Wellness CIC?
- What attracted you to our work?
- Have you supported workshops, community groups or events before?
- What creative activities or hobbies do you enjoy?
- What days and times are you generally available?
- Would you prefer regular or occasional volunteering?
- Are there particular types of activities or events you’d like to help with?
- Is there anything you would like us to know that would help us support you as a volunteer?
There are no trick questions!
We simply want to understand what you are looking for and how we can make volunteering a positive experience for you too.
Become part of our community
At Art for Wellness CIC, we believe that everyone has something to contribute.
You don’t have to be an artist.
You don’t have to be an expert.
You don’t have to have lots of spare time.
Sometimes giving just a few hours can help us create an experience that someone remembers for a very long time.
By volunteering with Art for Wellness, you’ll become part of a community that believes in the power of creativity to bring people together and support wellbeing.
Could you be one of our volunteers?
We’d love to hear from you.
📧 Email: artforwellnesscic@gmail.com
Tell us a little about yourself, why you’d like to volunteer and when you might be available.
We’ll then get back to you to have a chat and talk about the opportunities available.
Come and be part of Art for Wellness CIC.
Create • Connect • Inspire Wellbeing
See What We Do
If you’d like to find out more about Art for Wellness CIC and see the kinds of creative wellbeing activities we offer, take a look at our latest workshops on Eventbrite. You can also see examples of our workshops and creative activities on YouTube, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Come and see what we’re all about – and perhaps you’ll discover that volunteering with Art for Wellness is something you’d really enjoy!
With warmest wishes,
Debbie, Heather & Rosie
Art for Wellness CIC 💜
Create • Connect • Inspire Wellbeing