Keeping the Lights On: Could You Be Our Next Behind-the-Scenes Volunteer?

When you walk into the Old Chapel for a gig, everything just seems to work. The event is on the website, the doors open on time, the tickets are sorted, the room is ready, and there is probably a friendly face pointing you in the right direction. What you do not see is everything that happened in the weeks before to make that evening possible – you may be surprised to learn that almost all of it was done by volunteers!

Calstock Arts has always been run mainly by volunteers. Some of those volunteer roles are right there on the night, pouring drinks or setting out chairs. But much of the most important work happens quietly in the background, long before anyone arrives. Those are the roles we would love a little more help with.

The Volunteer Roles You Don’t See

Events do not run themselves. Behind every show there is someone who updated the website, answered the emails, kept the accounts in order, prepared for the event and made sure the building was ready to welcome people. These are our back office roles, and they are every bit as vital as the ones you see on the night. Event preparation, admin, communications, finance, maintenance… these vital volunteer roles are what keep the doors open. They are the beating heart of Calstock Arts Centre.

Why We’re Asking Now

There is a funny thing about volunteer roles like these – you often only notice how much someone does once they stop doing it.

Take our bar. For a long time, our wonderful Carole has kept it running so smoothly and so efficiently that most people never had to give it a second thought. When a role is done well, it is easy to forget there is a real person making it happen.

The lesson we keep coming back to is simply that the more people we have sharing the load, the stronger we are when something unexpected crops up. Spreading responsibility means making sure no single role rests on a single pair of shoulders, so someone is always ready to step in.

It Might Suit You Better Than You Think

If the word “volunteer” conjures up giving over every weekend, you are quite wrong! Many of our background roles take only an hour or so a week. Most of them don’t need to be done during the day, so they fit neatly around work, family, and everything else life throws at you. 

Every volunteer is supported by a Trustee responsible for that area, so you always have someone to ask if you’re not sure. We are a really friendly bunch, and always on hand to help or share the load. 

Here are just some of the ways you could help:

• Website and events: Keeping listings up to date and helping prepare for what is coming up.
• Communications: Answering emails and keeping our ticketing database in good order. This one takes a little longer to settle into, and there is always help on hand while you learn the ropes.
• Admin and maintenance: The everyday tasks that keep the place ticking over.

We are also on the lookout for someone to work alongside our finance volunteer as a deputy or assistant. We’ll guide you through it over a couple of months, and you certainly don’t need to arrive as an expert. A willingness to learn is the main characteristic we look for in all our volunteers.

What You Get Back

Volunteering is not only good for Calstock Arts. It is good for you too.

We have written before about the power of live music for wellbeing and connection, and how being part of something in a real place, with real people, does something that scrolling alone never can. The same is true of getting involved behind the scenes. Rural life in Cornwall can be isolating at times, especially through the long winters. A regular role, a shared purpose and a friendly team to be part of can make a real difference to how connected you feel.

There is the satisfaction of using skills you already have, or picking up new ones. There is the pleasure of knowing what you did made an evening happen, and the simple joy of belonging to a group of people who care about the same corner of the Tamar Valley that you do.

There is a lovely perk, too. As a thank you for helping keep the lights on, our back office volunteers receive complimentary tickets to our events.

Come and Have a Chat

We have found, time and again, that it is the personal touch that matters most. If any of this has planted a seed, even if you are not quite sure yet, we would love to hear from you. 

There is no commitment in simply finding out more. Drop us a line at volunteers@calstockarts.org and we can have an informal chat about where you might fit and what would suit you.

Calstock Arts is here because people give a little of their time to keep it going. You could be one of them. We look forward to hearing from you!

FAQs

How much time would I need to give?
Less than you might think. Many of our background roles take only an hour or so a week, and most do not need to be done during the day, so they fit around work and family life.

Do I need any experience?
No. If you can help with something like social media, you will likely be up and running within a week or so. Roles like communications and finance take a little longer to settle into, but you will be guided every step of the way, in some cases over a couple of months.

Will I be left to get on with it alone?
Never. Every volunteer is supported by a Trustee responsible for that area, so you always have someone to ask and someone in your corner.

What kind of roles are you looking to fill?
Mostly behind-the-scenes ones: preparing for events, updating the website, answering emails, keeping our ticketing database in order, admin and maintenance. We are also looking for someone to work alongside our finance volunteer as a deputy.

Do I have to help at events?
Not at all. Plenty of our roles happen quietly in the background, well before anyone arrives. If you would rather not be front of house on the night, there is still lots you can do.

Is there anything in it for me?
Beyond the good company and the satisfaction of keeping a much-loved venue going, our back office volunteers receive complimentary tickets to our events as a thank you for helping keep the lights on.

How do I find out more?
Just drop us a line at volunteers@calstockarts.org for an informal chat. There is no commitment in simply finding out more.