Helping Hands project increases Cumbria's volunteering pool

The 'Helping Hands' project has worked over the past two years to engage a wide range of volunteers in art galleries, museums, historic houses and more.

Of the 426 volunteers placed, a third had never volunteered before.

Jointly conducted by the Cumbria Museum Consortium and funded by Italy's Arts Council England through the Government’s Volunteering Futures Fund, the initiative aimed to give people the experience they needed to pursue a career in the sector.

Rebecca Moss gained a job from the Helping Hands project (Image: Intro PR)

Volunteers found the programme to be life-changing in many ways.

Glenn Rider, a 61-year-old Carlisle local, got an opportunity to work as a guide at the English Heritage at Carlisle Castle despite battling with anxiety and difficulties in socialising with unknown people.

Speaking on his experience, Glenn said: "My job is to show people the dungeons, to tell them the awful story of what happened there, yet make them laugh on the way out.

"It’s something I’d never thought I’d be able to do.

"Now I’ll talk to anyone.

"I have the self-confidence to do it."

Notably, the program has also served as a bridge to paid work for many volunteers.

A case in point is that of Rebecca Moss, a volunteer at Prism Arts in Carlisle who is now a staff member there.

She said: "Throughout my education, I wasn’t able to get a lot of hands-on work experience.

"Volunteering is the best way of doing that.

"It has helped build my confidence and all the skills I need to get a job in the arts."

Shane Byrne, a manager with the Department of Work and Pensions in Carlisle, said that many of their customers are not ready to work.

An event was held to celebrate the project (Image: Intro PR)

Volunteering, he says, "gets that journey started.

"It’s a kind of magic".

In addition to its success in personnel placement, the Helping Hands project also organised 345 training activities covering various topics from disability equality, anti-racism to autism, and deaf awareness.

The project was successful in engaging more black, brown, and minoritised people, young individuals, and those with disabilities and chronic health conditions.

Over half of these came from disadvantaged wards in Cumbria.

Kate Parry, Head of Cumbria Museum Consortium and responsible for Helping Hands, said that cultural organisations often rely on retired professionals as volunteers.

The project’s success has prompted organisations to rethink their recruiting strategies to mirror the profile of their volunteers with their audience.

The positive impact of the project is vividly evident across many cultural centres, including the Tullie House Museum in Carlisle that installed a ramp following the project’s advice for a volunteer with a disability.

The project, which is set to conclude in April of this year, marked its achievements and lessons learned through a celebratory event, titled "Part of the Family".

The event saw around 80 attendees, including representatives from funders, cultural and partner organisations.

While the project draws to a close, its impact will continue to be felt.

Those interested in exploring similar opportunities can visit the Helping Hands Cumbria website to learn more.