Award-winning volunteer calls for more people to share their time and expertise

Fresh from his success being named ‘Volunteer of the Year’ in the York Press Community Pride Awards 2014, volunteer chairman of the community-run Joseph Rowntree Theatre in York, Dan Shrimpton, has put out a fresh plea for more people to give their time to local projects.

“It is an incredible honour to have received the Volunteer of the Year award, particularly when there were so many other worthy candidates shortlisted, but in common with everyone who was nominated, I’d hope that we help inspire more people to give their time to local projects,” says Dan.  ”Without an army of volunteers, the Joseph Rowntree Theatre would have closed to community groups long ago, and everyone, from the youngest performers to the tens of thousands of people who come here to enjoy some of the highest quality amateur performances in the country would be missing out.”

Indeed, the theatre is currently looking for new volunteers to join its board. “We’ve had a fantastic year, with 116 performances at the theatre in the last 12 months, but we will not continue to thrive and grow without more volunteers joining our team,” adds Dan.  “Particularly, we are looking for enthusiastic people from all walks of life who can bring their experience, skills and time to help us with bookings and managing the front of house, recruiting more volunteers, fundraising and marketing.  A little experience would be great, but a passion for helping the theatre to thrive is what we’re really looking for.”

The theatre is hosting two informal visit days, Saturday 8 November and Saturday 15 November at 10.00am, when those interested can chat to current board members about the roles.

“Being given this fantastic accolade will mean so much more if it helps us get more people into volunteering in York,” concludes Dan.  “Everyone comments that you get more out of volunteering than you put in; a social activity that impacts on the far wider community.”

For more information on volunteering at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, please contact Dan Shrimpton on 07511 123659 or visit jrtheatre.co.uk/vacancies

ENDS

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk