Lynda Winstanley director Darlington Civic Theatre

Design Development Parkgate Elevation

Design Development Borough Road Elevation

Benefits of the Restoration Conservation led Improved heritage seating, more leg room and better sightlines Increased seating capacity helping to increase revenue Improved technical facilities and dressing rooms, bigger shows Improved access arrangements including lift access Improved public circulation Heritage gallery with changing exhibitions Education centre Archive development An expanded daytime offer, including a new learning programme with workshops, tours, courses & schools offer Opportunity to create a new volunteer scheme, using our new facilities and building on our existing offer

The Friends of Darlington Civic Theatre

ArtsSpark

Young Reporters

Ambassadors

Charles Tompkins Chair of Darlington Civic Theatre Foundation

How we set about developing a new volunteer offer What motivates people to volunteer? Be more active in their community Give something back or to be recognised as someone who gives something back Learn new skills or add to their CV To get closer to an organisation and become an ‘insider’ To create, produce or perform something Make friends and have fun

Who volunteers? 24% of adults in England will have volunteered in the past 12 months of which around a quarter will have volunteered in one of the cultural sectors women are slightly more likely to volunteer than men and traditional volunteers are older, often aged 55 to 74 years and make up about 30% of all volunteers 25% of young adults aged 16 to 24 years volunteer, although amongst students the rate is nearer a third. Employability and engaging with organisations is becoming ever more important for students, the rest come from the 35 to 54 year old groups the over 75s and young professionals (25 to 34 years) are under- represented amongst volunteers due to barriers related to age and time Volunteering tends to be lower in urban areas, 22% of the population compared to 31% in rural areas the arts attract younger volunteers adults aged 16 to 24 years and more highly qualified volunteers. People who volunteer in the arts also tend to participate in and attend arts events so young theatre audiences would be one place to grow young volunteers. The Art of Volunteering, Taking Part Survey, No. 2 Briefing, 2007

We looked at best practice in our sector

Key learning Volunteering needs to be at the heart of the organisation Volunteer roles need to be flexible, attractive and clearly defined Simple, accessible policies and procedures Training and support is needed The contribution of volunteers should be valued and celebrated

Volunteer roles at the Civic Theatre Welcome hosts Heritage ambassadors Heritage tour guides Audience feedback volunteers Learning & engagement support volunteers Archive volunteers Volunteer peer supporters and mentors

How we tested our plans Public consultation at events including Festival of Thrift and Darlington Arts Festival Audience consultation in the theatre Public consultation at other non-arts venues Online survey – over 2 weeks, completed by 1025 people

Results of our research

There seems to be considerable interest in heritage volunteering in particular undertaking research, cataloguing and welcoming visitors; 300 people, 29% of all of the respondents left their name and contact details.

Our aim is … to make volunteering central to our vision. For all our volunteers to feel welcome at the Theatre and to have an excellent volunteering experience, that offers choice and variety across a range of roles and for them to feel they are valued and that they are supporting the Theatre and wider community through their contribution

Volunteering and me Solihull Young Volunteers Community Service Volunteers