The Art of Volunteering exhibition was launched on National Volunteers Week in May 2018. 15 of our volunteers took over the Collections Centre with a project which explores the breadth of the Whitworth’s collections, of over 60,000 works.
The exhibition gave a personal insight into volunteering, its benefits of wellbeing and the influence it has had on their own art.
The volunteers have come from all backgrounds and diversities from across the city. Many of them have volunteered at the gallery since our re-opening in 2015 and others just the last 6 months – joining from placements through Streetwise Opera, The Growth Company and individuals just looking for company, acceptance, the chance to share their passions with others and meet new people, sometimes as new arrivals to our city.
Other volunteers contributed their time in helping upholster furniture for the exhibition, creating their own artwork and giving time to one another which in turn really made a difference to everyone no matter their background or why they volunteered.
The volunteers were finalists in the category of Creativity in the Community at Manchester’s Be Proud Awards 2018.
“I feel I have a place and purpose that connects me to the outside world. Volunteering gives me a great deal of pleasure and I feel I can find a way to contribute to society in a positive way, which also influences my creativity so it’s a continuing cycle. The Whitworth has been a very influential part of my life as an artist and my love for this gallery grows every time I step into the grounds.”
Julie, the Whitworth Volunteer for The Art of Volunteering
“Volunteering at the Whitworth has made me a lot happier, given me purpose. I feel like a part of society once more, and making a positive difference in other people’s lives”
Volunteering at the Whitworth
Volunteers are at the heart of the Whitworth. We engage over 250 a year in around 12 different roles from conversation to family workshops and gardening to wellbeing events.
We have volunteers who contribute across the whole of the gallery. From supporting artists, textile care, gardening, digitising our collection, cataloguing our library, assisting in the delivery of workshops to large-scale events and much more.
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Support and Learn
Support the production of events from the planning to the delivery and to engage directly with staff, guests and visitors to the Whitworth.
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Collection and Care
Learning from our conservation team you will be preparing storage rollers, re-rolling textiles, unpicking stitching and taking care of our vast textile collection.
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Family volunteering
Come and volunteer as a family. Whether with your babies and toddlers or teenagers and grandparents, we offer fun opportunities to volunteer with your whole family.
Current opportunities
We’re partnered with some of the most prestigious cultural venues in Manchester.
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Youth Leaders Needed – Greater Manchester
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Activities Co-ordinator in a homeless hostel
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Panel Member
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Grassroots Campaigner – Online Group
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Museum Assistant
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Online Content Volunteer
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Pink Ribbon Walk – Event Support Volunteer
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Volunteer at JDRF One Walk Manchester
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Treasurer
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PR Officer
Black Autism Manchester is a community group for black women with presumed or diagnosed autism. The group is to create a safe space to empower and encourage members to Read more…
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Secretary
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Events Volunteer
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Activity Group Coordinator
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Youth Leader (Radcliffe)
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Youth Leader (Stretford)
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Lived experience panel member
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Older people's activity group volunteer
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Community Support Volunteer
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Patient and Public Panel Member
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Volunteer Gardener
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Volunteer Tour Guide
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Tea party driver volunteer
Tea parties provide a lifeline of friendship for our older people, and the regular, warm, friendly chats and companionship provide a vital link with the outside world from which Read more…
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Befriender
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Volunteer Mentor
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Volunteer Call Handler
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Recovery Coach
You will also help to promote various options and routes into community based mutual aid and/or community reintegration through adult education, volunteering opportunities, employment, social enterprises and community activities. ESSENTIAL Read more…
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Family Coach
Families may well be supporting individuals who are actively using drugs and/or alcohol or may have loved ones who are in structured treatment, engaging with CGL in the community, Read more…
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Home from hospital volunteer
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Volunteer Mentor
Being a mentor for a child or young person (8+ years old). you will help and support them to achieve their goals and to realise their true potential. Meeting with Read more…
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Sustainability Developmental Support
Developing information resources to support the organisation and people to have choices. Be able to be flexible to work with people, communicate, support organisation activities within and outside activities Read more…
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Podcast Volunteer
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Sharon Junior Chess Club Support Volunteer
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Media and Podcast Volunteering
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Premier League Kicks Volunteer
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Cafe staff Volunteers needed!
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Volunteer Driver
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Dementia Group Volunteer
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Manchester Jewish Museum Volunteers
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Reading Nature’s Library
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