Ignite Imaginations have partnered with VAS and 23 other arts and community organisations (hosts) to create a network of partners that work towards making creative volunteering opportunities better in Sheffield. Coming together gives us the strength to connect, learn from one another, listen and develop our offer as a collective. We will provide FREE training and networking for our hosts and volunteers throughout the programme to create long lasting skills, experiences and connections. 

We did an open call out for organisations to get involved in the project, some are involved in our steering group and help us develop the project and others will be advertising roles. Everyone has got involved because they want to be part of a network that supports creativity and volunteering in Sheffield.

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Community Organisations

​Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Zest | Family Voice | Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme | VAS | Flourish | City of Sanctuary | Broomhall Centre | Manor and Castle Development Trust

Arts Organisations

Yorkshire Artspace | Montgomery Theatre | Growtheatre | Site Gallery | Sheffield Museums | Ignite Imaginations |  Arts Catalyst | Artworks | Under the stars | Stand and be Counted | Voz Theatre | Sheffield Music School | Hybrid 3| 

Greentop

Click on the individual roles to find out more in the "Current Roles" section and then apply via the VAS website.

If you would rather access the information about the roles or apply in a different format (on the phone, in person, via whats app, recording on zoom) then get in touch with Tammy directly and  she can accommodate your needs. 

Do you usually feel volunteering isn't open or accessible to you? Or maybe you haven't had a welcoming experience in a theatre or gallery before? Or you are just not feeling the levels of confidence you would like to go to a brand new place? Whatever is holding you back, this programme is here to create flexible and meaningful opportunities for people who have not volunteered before or need that extra support to start to engage in an opportunity like this.

If at any point you feel the volunteering role, support or team around you is not providing what you need to flourish or feel safe then get in touch with Tammy communitymakers@vas.org.uk or call 07727 638 973. She will support you in a confidential and sensitive way. We are here to learn and listen and so are our hosts. 

Yes each host will provide travel expenses and some will also provide food expenses. You can also claim travel expenses for any training or creative skills sessions from Ignite Imaginations to a maximum of £5 per day for any mode of transport. If there are other expenses you need support with to ensure your volunteering time is the best it can be let us know and we will support where we can. 

Ignite Imaginations is a community arts charity based in Sheffield and we are the lead on this project. We want to ignite imaginations and create connections. We believe in taking people on a journey to unlock their imaginations through working with professional artists, using quality materials and experiencing innovative creative activities. We work across the city with people of all ages and backgrounds where creativity is needed the most. See www.igniteimaginations.org.uk  or our recent promotional film.

VAS are our volunteering partners. They provide advice, support, training and specialist services to help make voluntary and community organisations in Sheffield stronger and more effective. Voluntary Action Sheffield (vas.org.uk)

See more details here; you can find out about our steering groups, host network and why the project came about.

Below are all the roles we are advertising; there will be more roles added throughout the year. To apply for the roles follow the links below and it will take to you Voluntary Action Sheffield's website. This is where you can look at the roles in more detail and apply to whatever you are interested in. If you want to apply, the website will guide to sign up to create a profile online.

We're now entering our Winter of Volunteering! Embrace the new season with our fresh and exciting creative volunteering opportunities. Join us and be part of a community that makes a difference!

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Click here to browse all the current Creative Volunteering Roles 

For this project we are partnering with Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS). We are great at delivering creative projects but we are not volunteering experts- so this where VAS come in.

Through this project VAS have employed Tammy Grundman as a part time Volunteer Coordinator. Tammy has worked for a number of years within volunteer management for homeless charities in London and now lives in Sheffield. "I will be on hand throughout your volunteering journey with us.

From welcoming you to the programme and providing extra support and training, right through to the end of your time with us. I'm here to be a friendly and supportive face whenever you need it!." See a picture of Tammy at the bottom of this page.

YES. As a Sheffield Community Maker we value the time and commitment you will put into our city and so we want to say thank you. We also want to create a network where you feel connected, able to meet new people and learn new skills.

Our offers:

Monthly Online Surgeries with Tammy: 

Tammy will send dates, times and a topic out across the network and you can drop in and share experiences, get support and problem solve. 

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Creative Skills Sessions;

These will be monthly sessions in a city centre location. Lead by a professional artist you will develop your creative skills and learn about facilitation style and processes. You can sign up to as many sessions as you like and suggest new skills we haven’t considered yet and we will aim to build this into our planning. These sessions are great if you want to brush up on your creative practise, share your creativity with others or want to support or lead creative workshops. 

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Training and Networking;

Every three months we will have half a day of learning and networking for all our volunteers. This is a chance to connect, hear about each other's experiences', get creative and develop your volunteering or employment skills. We will cover topics such as boundaries, communication, safeguarding and careers. 

Then we want to hear from you! We are here to support anyone, no matter what experience. We will provide guidance to explore what role might work for you and support to apply in whatever format suits you. Once you have started in your volunteer role you can contact Tammy for further support or come to one of the monthly online surgeries to talk about your volunteer experiences so far. We are hoping to set up a buddying scheme in the coming months to support in new volunteers on their journey. We will also train and support your host organisation to make sure your experience is positive and tailored to your needs. 

Absolutely- you are a Sheffield Community Maker, we want to you to be able to pick up a different role if you want, or wait until something suitable comes up. You can still access the training and support in between roles. 

If you’re comfortable to do so please contact us and we can make sure you are fully supported to apply for a role; from large print, or audio recordings, or someone talking you through any questions or forms. We are committed to investing in people, creating safe spaces for everyone and finding creative ways to ensure that everyone feels welcome and can be included in what we do. Please contact us for further support or to talk through any of the above.

Click here to view videos of our partners discussing their experiences with volunteering and Sheffield Community Makers, or simply scroll down to watch!

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