Hive offers both regular and occasional opportunities for volunteering in a creative field, including supporting tutors and community projects, delivering creative workshops, supporting the office staff and getting involved with events.
Our usual expectation would be that volunteers work a weekly 2.5 hour shift. We offer a full package of support including reasonable travel expenses, training and support. Some roles are at fixed times in the week whilst others are more flexible.
We also have a variety of one-off volunteering opportunities through the year so please do get in touch even if you can’t make a weekly commitment.
If you are interested in volunteering or finding out what opportunities are available, please contact the office.
I started volunteering at Hive in January. Hive was recommended to me by my mental health support worker who had referred people to Hive before.
I made the application myself and within a few weeks was invited to come in for a friendly chat with the Volunteer Coordinator. I was made to feel welcome and initially started volunteering as a Volunteer Support Worker in a Pottery Class. After a short time trying pottery out I decided to change my volunteering direction and start helping in the office with the administration of the Thrive Project. This appeals to me because I am assisting with a project that is helping people who are experiencing issues similar to my own.
I am still volunteering in the office and have started doing an extra half day as well, which is continuing to help with my mental health and wellbeing. A typical admin volunteering session for me at Hive consists of helping with various admin tasks such as emailing volunteer referees, data entry and word processing. I also work on more specific tasks such as collating & analysing Equal Opportunities Monitoring data.
What I like about Hive is that it gives me a non-judgemental environment in which to volunteer. And for me this volunteering gives me a lot of positives. For example, it gets me out of my house and into the real world where I find the work good for keeping my mind agile and focused.
Joe
I first came to Hive to do a photography course. This was my introduction to the world of community arts, which I later turned into a career leading workshops in photography, video and computer graphics at Hive and other community groups in West Yorkshire and beyond.
I feel close to Hive because of the number of years I have spent here, and after my retirement I wanted to retain my links with the organisation. My voluntary role at Hive now consists of maintaining and supporting staff with the IT system. This is a challenging role and I am enjoying learning new skills, as well as interacting with the staff, volunteers and members.
Volunteering at Hive means I can keep in touch with my friends here, and it is an important element in my determination to keep active during retirement.
Graham