Volunteer

Volunteer

Our volunteers are the smiling, welcoming faces of TBTL.

The first person an audience member is likely to meet is one of our Customer Experience volunteers. The volunteer’s role is to help provide all our customers with a fantastic experience.

Volunteers are assigned wide ranging roles including: checking tickets, showing customers to their seats, sitting in on performances and selling programmes, merchandise and ice cream.  Shifts begin an hour before a performance begins and last for up to four hours, finishing around ten minutes after a performance ends.  Volunteers are also responsible for the safe and swift evacuation of the building in case of an emergency.

Volunteering at TBTL is very flexible, based upon when the volunteer is available, but we ask that volunteers aim to be undertake a minimum of 12 shifts a year; but many do much more. Our current volunteers range in age from 16-89 and come to volunteering from a range of backgrounds, but all with an interest and enthusiasm for theatre.  The volunteer’s role can involve long periods of standing, and alongside the evacuation role, volunteers need to be reasonably physically fit.

Volunteering provides an excellent opportunity to meet lots of likeminded people, both customers and volunteers, who all share an interest in theatre so we’re told it’s a great way to make lots of new friends.

Volunteers play a vital role in the life of the theatre. We couldn’t manage without them; each year they provide 3,500 shifts, contributing 14,000 hours of their time. We estimate that the annual value of their work is £100,000. They’ve made a huge contribution to our success over the last 20 years.

Our volunteers are recipients of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award that can be given to a voluntary body and the equivalent of an MBE.

Still fancy becoming a volunteer? We hope so!

Download and fill in the form below and email it to Mary via the contact details below.

We’ll then get in touch to arrange an informal interview, explain the role of the volunteers and the training process, and answer any questions.

Apply to become a volunteer

Find out more

Mary Elliott

Helping Hands

Theatre by the Lake is a Helping Hands partner, a new volunteering initiative across Cumbria.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, start a new career or meet new people, Helping Hands will get you there with 1-2-1 support and volunteer opportunities shaped around your needs.

Browse the volunteer opportunities already available, sign up to the monthly newsletter or book a 1-2-1 with one of the Volunteer Leads, who are on hand to help you on your volunteering journey.

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