 National Volunteers Week, 1–7 June 2026 Across Lancashire, the arts and culture sector depends on the generosity of thousands of people who give their time, energy, and enthusiasm to keep festivals running, theatres lit, galleries open, and creative communities alive. From Blackburn to Lancaster, Burnley to Lytham, volunteering sits at the very heart of what makes our cultural life so rich. But volunteering offers far more than the satisfaction of giving back. For those looking to build a career in the arts - or simply to develop new skills and connections - it can be one of the most powerful professional development tools available. And increasingly, the evidence points to meaningful health benefits too. The Bigger Picture: What the Science SaysResearcher and professor Daisy Fancourt’s new book The Art Cure makes a compelling case that arts participation - including the kind of hands-on community involvement that volunteering represents - delivers measurable health and economic benefits. As Fancourt puts it: “The work of artists and arts organisations in communities is already delivering not just health benefits, but health economic benefits... it makes the case for why investing in the arts is actually an investment in health and society much more broadly.”
Volunteering in the arts, then, isn’t just good for the organisations we support. It’s good for us. Building a Career Through VolunteeringBeyond the wellbeing benefits, arts volunteering is increasingly recognised as a genuine pathway to professional growth. Whether someone is taking their first steps into the creative sector, navigating a career change, or returning to work after a break, volunteering provides a way to build credibility, skills, and connections in a real-world setting. Skills that transfer everywhere Arts volunteers develop practical, transferable skills that employers across all sectors value: communication, organisation, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. Working front of house at a theatre, supporting a community arts project, or helping coordinate a major festival all build experience that sits alongside - and often complements - formal qualifications. Access to professional networks Perhaps one of the most underestimated benefits of arts volunteering is the access it provides to professional networks. Working directly alongside arts professionals, producers, curators, and administrators opens doors that might otherwise be difficult to open. Many volunteer roles lead to meaningful collaborations, mentorship relationships, and further opportunities within the sector. A stepping stone to paid employment For those hoping to move into paid arts work, a track record of volunteering demonstrates initiative, sector knowledge, and genuine commitment - qualities that employers value as highly as direct experience. Arts organisations frequently look inward when paid opportunities arise, and volunteers who have already proven themselves in the role are well placed. The evidence for volunteering as a route into employment is compelling — though it pays to take a long view. A 2024 government report, Estimating the Economic and Social Value of Volunteering, found that one year after starting to volunteer, the increase in the probability of paid employment is not statistically significant overall - the short-term picture is mixed. But the data tells a much more positive story over time: after two years, volunteering is associated with a 6.2% increase in the probability of being in paid employment, and after three years, a 3.4% increase - both statistically significant results. The report’s authors suggest that “the employment benefits of volunteering may be realised only after a few years of volunteering,” and that it “could act as a pathway into paid work.” For young people aged 16–25, the effect is even more pronounced: volunteering at least once in the past year is associated with a 9.1% increase in the likelihood of employment in the short term, rising to 17.1% for those who volunteer at least once a week. Leadership and board roles Many volunteers go on to take on greater responsibility over time - progressing into project coordination, mentorship, or trustee and board roles. These positions build strategic thinking, governance experience, and decision-making confidence, all of which are increasingly sought after across the cultural sector. A note on volunteering vs unpaid work It’s worth being clear about what volunteering is - and what it isn’t. Volunteers typically work on a flexible, non-contractual basis, and their roles must not replace those of paid employees. Many organisations offer reimbursement for reasonable expenses such as travel and food. If there’s ever any uncertainty about whether a role constitutes volunteering or unpaid work, HMRC’s guidance provides a useful reference point. Arts Volunteering Across Lancashire: Who’s Leading the WayAcross our county, some of Lancashire’s most-loved cultural organisations rely on the commitment of their volunteer communities to deliver extraordinary things. National Festival of Making, BlackburnEvery year, over 100 volunteers sign up to help make the National Festival of Making happen. One of the UK’s most distinctive celebration of making, craft, and creativity, the festival takes place in Blackburn Town Centre and simply wouldn’t be possible without its volunteer team. From workshop helpers and exhibition invigilators to evaluation support and the all-important brew bosses, every single volunteer plays a vital part in making the weekend the success it is. Registration is now open for the 2026 festival, taking place on 4th & 5th July. The National Festival of Making has also continued its partnership with Chip In, a place-based volunteering project supporting the festival’s programme. Volunteers must be aged 16 or over. Find out more and sign up at festivalofmaking.co.uk/festival/volunteer. The Gregson, LancasterClose to 200 volunteers are registered with The Gregson community centre in Lancaster - making it one of the busiest venues in the city. The Gregson’s volunteer community is wonderfully diverse: some join because they’re new to Lancaster and want to meet people; others are long-standing residents who want to give something back to the place they’ve called home their entire lives. Between them, Gregson volunteers contribute an estimated 500 hours of time every month to the centre. They serve as administrators and bar assistants, event helpers and plant-watchers, quiz hosts and Expert Hour speakers. They run Give & Take days and organise the monthly art displays in the café. As The Gregson’s Volunteer Manager puts it: “if the community wants something to happen, they can make it happen -it’s a real community of do-ers.” Lowther Pavilion Theatre & Gardens, LythamWinner of Cultural Venue of the Year at the Lancashire Tourism Awards, the Lowther Pavilion Theatre & Gardens on the Fylde Coast currently has around 100 active volunteers supporting its programme of over 600 shows and events each year. The majority work in front-of-house roles - meeting and greeting audiences, scanning tickets, guiding people to their seats, acting as fire wardens, selling snacks and merchandise, and tidying the auditorium after performances. Others provide vital support to the Box Office, Marketing, Finance, and Technical teams, or help keep the award-winning venue in shape through maintenance and repairs. Taken together, the Lowther’s volunteers donate around 29,000 hours of their time each year - equivalent to an organisational saving of approximately £373,000. As The Lowther themselves put it, the work they do simply wouldn’t be possible without them. Opportunities Right NowIf the above has sparked an interest, here are some active arts volunteering opportunities across Lancashire to explore: Fleetwood Moves with LPM Dance — Saturday 4 July 2026, 12pm–5pm, Marine Hall and Gardens, Fleetwood LPM Dance are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support this free community dance and arts festival. Roles include festival stewards, workshop assistants, artist liaison support, and site crew — with set-up help needed from 8.30am. No experience required; volunteers receive an official festival t-shirt. Sign up at lpmdance.com/fleetwoodmoves/volunteer. Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery Opportunities range from craft session support and gallery assistance to collection care. Project-based opportunities are shared on their website and social media. More at blackburnmuseum.org.uk/about/get-involved. Fylde Gallery, Lytham Hall As visitor numbers grow at this beautiful gallery within Lytham Hall, volunteers are needed to enhance the visitor experience. More at discoverfylde.co.uk/fylde-gallery-at-lytham-hall/volunteering. Lancaster Arts — Ideas & Connectors Group An opportunity to work directly alongside the Lancaster Arts team on artist commissions, collection development, and audience engagement. Roles include Community Researchers, Collections volunteers, and Communications & Engagement supporters. Apply here or find out more at lancasterarts.org/about/volunteer. LeftCoast Makers Programme Open to individuals aged 18 and over, LeftCoast’s Makers Programme invites people to be part of their show-stopping community projects. More at leftcoast.org.uk/volunteer. SuperSlowWay Volunteers are currently being sought for various Super Slow Way projects and for the British Textile Biennial. Whether you can give a couple of hours or a few days, get in touch with Uzma Raziq at [email protected] or visit superslowway.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-with-us. The Dukes, Lancaster The Dukes has approximately 50 permanent front-of-house usher volunteers, as well as marketing volunteers who help spread the word about their programme. Roles vary throughout the year. Apply at dukeslancaster.org/get-involved/volunteering. The Grundy, Blackpool The Grundy is looking for motivated individuals with an interest in contemporary art to support its exhibitions and events programme. More at thegrundy.org/support/volunteer. The Harris, Preston Open to people at 16+. Volunteer roles at The Harris range from helping with family activities and community workshops to working with specific collections as part of specialist volunteer teams. More at theharris.org.uk/get-involved/volunteers. Are we missing you? Does your arts organisation, event or creative project offer volunteering opportunities in Lancashire? We'd love to include you in our directory. Submit your details here and we'll add your scheme to the list. Also Worth Knowing AboutThe following Lancashire arts organisations offer volunteering opportunities at various points throughout the year. It’s worth checking back regularly, as new opportunities are announced on an ongoing basis.
Thinking of Setting Up a Volunteering Scheme?For arts professionals and organisations who are new to managing volunteers - or who are considering developing a volunteering programme for the first time - the Creative Lives Volunteering in the Arts Toolkit is an excellent starting point. Drawing on the experience of a wide range of organisations, it brings together best-practice quality assurance processes and procedures, including those underpinning Investors in Volunteers. Happy National Volunteers Week to every single person who gives their time to the arts across Lancashire. We see you, and we’re grateful. Comments are closed.
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