A Message from the Founder and Managing Director

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Spectrum Community Arts.

I founded Spectrum Community Arts in January 2017 after I saw a growing need to provide accessible workshops for people with disabilities and additional needs. The Performing Arts should be accessible for EVERYONE! I have an absolute passion and love for performing arts and wanted to use this to help develop the self-esteem, self-expression, and social skills of those who need it. I strongly believe that the performing arts is a fun and exciting way to do this and a perfect platform to nurture and develop individual skills and abilities.

Spectrum Community Arts Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation and today provides a variety of 8 different amazing face to face weekly clubs as well as bespoke workshop programmes for Special schools, SEND departments within mainstream schools, charities, adult day services and other organisations. 

You will be joining Spectrum Community Arts at an exciting and pivotal time as we continue to expand and grow our services within the Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire area! It is clear that there is a continued and ever-growing need for our workshops and I, along with our team, want to be able to continue to offer these and more! Ultimately we can't do this without our dedicated team of volunteers, who are fundamental to Spectrum being able to run. 

We strongly recognise that ordinary people like you want to help and make a difference in some form or another; for some that could be just making a small donation and for others it’s the desire to provide physical support. We exist to provide that opportunity; to become part of a group of like-minded people, who have the passion, desire, and resolve to help those in need.    

Again, thank you for your interest in volunteering with Spectrum Community Arts and we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Jade Cook

Founder & Managing Director

Spectrum Community Arts is a registered ‘Not for Profit’ organisation with charitable purposes. It was first set up in January 2017, launching in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. Spectrum now services two key area with in-person workshops in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

Spectrum Community Arts was set up with its principle aim to enable participants to develop their self-esteem and self-expression in a safe, encouraging environment, through the provision of performing arts workshops.

Building Self-Esteem

Our sessions are all about that feel-good factor! We focus, highlight and praise what our participants CAN do, rather than what their disability states they can’t.

All activities are accessible and made adaptable for the people we have in the room – meaning each person can achieve and feels great doing so!

Developing Self-Expression

The performing arts itself is a series of channels of communication. Emotions, characters, and stories can be expressed through non-verbal movement and gestures.

Through exploring this, participants often find a new ‘voice’; a way to express who they are and their emotions through a more creative means.

Creating a Safe Space

Many participants say that their favourite thing about Spectrum is that they can be themselves without fear of judgement! The workshops are designed to support individuals to access the sessions with as little anxiety as possible.

Spectrum volunteers are drawn from all walks of life who have a wide range of backgrounds and skillsets with a common attribute shared by every one of them; the desire, passion and resolve to help, support and nurture those who need to access our services! Ordinarily without spectrum, many of our participants wouldn't be able to access the performing arts outside of education and without volunteers, the sessions couldn't run! 

Our Aims

• Provide performing arts workshops for people with disabilities and additional needs
• Use the performing arts to help develop self-esteem, self-expression and build friendships
• Give the participants a place they feel safe and a club to which they belong
• Give the parents/carers an opportunity for a short period of respite 

Volunteering is a very rewarding thing to do and helps build confidence and self-esteem, personal and interpersonal skills, professional skills, and qualifications and so much more. Without Spectrum many of the participants wouldn't be able to access the performing arts outside of education and without volunteers, the sessions couldn't run! We need you!

We encourage everyone to volunteer! Besides helping in our weekly clubs, we also need volunteers to help at one-off promotional and fundraising events, admin and behind the scenes help, taking photos and videos of sessions and in any other way you’d like to support us!

Below we have provided a summary of the roles you could choose to apply for as well as providing a link to a full role description for each role. This will help you decide which role(s) you feel will be best suited to you. Lastly you can apply for more than one role, which we actively encourage to allow our volunteers to be more involved and provide resources where this is most demanded.

 

Volunteer Workshop Assistant:

Be part of the team on the ground in one or more of our workshops providing support to our participants, helping them to engage and enjoy the workshops! We currently have 8 different weekly workshops/clubs which run during term-time. In this role you will be expected to commit to and attend at least one of the workshops. The workshop you are assigned to will depend on several factors including, personal preference, location, and availability. Click the link to the full role description to see our timetable of workshops and their locations. 

Click for full role description (Volunteer Workshop Assistant)

Please Note: To apply for this role you must be at least 16 years old and be in a position to travel to and from workshops in Leighton Buzzard, Bletchley and/or Milton Keynes (i.e. have your own transport)

 

Event and Workshop Support Volunteer (Ad-Hoc):

Be part of the team that provides support and assistant to a variety of different functions including workshops, fundraising events, and performances/shows. This is a flexible role and is suitable to those who are unable to commit regular hours to our weekly and regular workshops/events and instead prefer to volunteer on an 'as and when' basis to fit around your availability and commitments. Click the link below for full details of the role. 

Click for full role description (Event and Workshop Support Volunteer Ad-hoc)

Please Note: To apply for this role you must be at least 16 years old and be in a position to travel to and from workshops and events in the Bedfordshire and/or Buckinghamshire area (i.e. have your own transport)

  

Fundraising Volunteer:

Be part of the team that play a vital role in helping to ensure Spectrum can continue achieving their aims and objectives; raising funds, planning fundraisers, promoting the cause and securing sponsors. Click the link below for full details of the role.

Click for full role description (Fundraising Volunteer)

Please Note: The Fundraising Volunteer role is a 'work from home' position with the option to attend and support fundraising events. You must be at least 16 years old to apply for the Fundraising Volunteer role.

There are currently no new opportunities available. Please consider applying for one of our 'Ongoing' volunteering opportunities. 

We will advertise any new opportunities that become available on our website and social media. 

Your time, skill and enthusiasm will make a big difference and without the support of our volunteers, the work we do to help people would not be possible. We will help you get the most out of your time with us by doing all we can to make your involvement with us is a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

Making you feel part of the organisation:

We will ensure that you:

• Have regular contact with other members of the organisation
• Are treated with respect and consideration at all times
• Are always treated fairly and without discrimination

Uniform, Training and Support:

We will ensure that you:

• Are provided with the necessary uniform in relation to your role
• Are always given clear information on what is expected of you
• Are given the skills you need to carry out your tasks efficiently and effectively by providing the relevant information and training
• Are always given advice and information on how to carry out your assigned tasks
• Have regular meetings with your supervisor
• Have someone to talk to about your volunteering experience

Volunteer expenses:

Volunteering for Spectrum Community Arts should not cost you anything. We will reimburse all legitimate, reasonable and pre-agreed, out of pocket expenses incurred during your volunteering placement with us.

Insurance:

Spectrum Community Arts has insurance protection to cover its volunteers. If you need more information about the nature and level of insurance cover for you, please ask.

Fair Play:

You and everyone else involved with Spectrum Community Arts has the right to be treated fairly and without discrimination. Spectrum Community Arts will not accept any form of unfair discrimination, victimisation or harassment on the grounds of age, disability, education, gender, gender re-assignment, HIV status, marital status, nationality, political allegiance, race, religious belief or sexual orientation.

Complaints and comments:

We are constantly striving to improve the way that we involve volunteers and welcome any comments or suggestions you wish to make. However, if something should go wrong, efforts will be made to resolve as soon as possible.

Generally, our volunteers positions are offered on a flexible basis with no fixed term or hours, allowing you to give as much or as little time as you want. Whether your volunteering journey with us is long or short we are transparent about our commitment to you and what we expect from our volunteers.

On being accepted as a volunteer with Spectrum Community Arts, you are agreeing to make a commitment in time and energy to the organisation. As a volunteer for Spectrum Community Arts, your position becomes one of trust. You may be responsible for tasks that involves contact with clients, supporters, or members of the public and you will be expected to preserve our organisation’s good name.

Adhering to relevant policies and procedures:

You will be expected to adhere to our rules and procedures, including those within your signed volunteer agreement, health and safety, equalities and diversity, record-keeping requirements and confidentiality of organisation and client information.

Being reliable:

Members of Spectrum Community Arts depend on the services we provide them. It is very important that all volunteers attend training and jobs they have agreed to. If you are unable to attend your duties because you fall ill or have a change of plans, please let your supervisor know as soon as possible so that other arrangements can be made if necessary.  

Data Protection:

As a part of Spectrum Community Arts Ltd it is the responsibility of each member to ensure that nothing is done to damage the organisation’s image or public status. By incorporating good data protection practice into everyday tasks, we can actively build trust and prevent avoidable errors which gradually break down the good links developed.

Keeping Confidentiality:

We ask that you treat as secret and confidential any personal business and financial information relating to Spectrum Community Arts, its staff and volunteers, clients or associates you learn during your involvement with us, and that you do not disclose or permit such information to be disclosed to any third party whatsoever, during and after your involvement with this organisation. This is to ensure all service users have trust and confidence in the organisation and are treated with respect and dignity.

Contributing Positively:

We ask that our volunteers contribute positively to the work they do and to the organisation. Positive contribution will benefit you and Spectrum Community Arts and provide an image and brand of positiviely to our clients, our supporters and the public. 

Expressing Ideas and Value the contribution of others:

As an organisation we welcome ideas and input that could improve and benefit the way the organisation works and move forward; therefore, we actively encourage our volunteers to express these. 

Staying connected and up to date:

With some of our roles there will be quiet periods where there will be no work available. We ask our volunteers to take responsibility for staying connected with Spectrum Community Arts and their team as well as keeping their skills and knowledge up to date. In most cases when work is quiet or absent you can help in other areas. 

We welcome volunteers from all walks of life who bring their own qualities, skills, experiences, and enthusiasm. As a whole we look for the attributes and behaviours displayed below in our volunteers. All our volunteers together displaying these attributes and behaviour promotes the effectiveness and efficiency of Spectrum Community Arts as well as contributing positively to their own and that of their peers' wellbeing and confidence.

Our volunteers should;

• Treat everyone with respect, care, dignity and consideration
• Listen and respond positively to what people say
• Work together supporting, adding value, learning from and sharing with others
• Embrace and develop new ideas and ways of working
• Learn from the past, build upon and celebrate successes
• Welcome scrutiny and examination, taking ownership and responsibility for their actions

Volunteers are highly valued members of Spectrum Community Arts and contribute to making a significant difference to Spectrum's ability to achieve their aims and objectives. You will be provided with comprehensive free training, so you can represent Spectrum Community Arts with confidence.

Volunteering with Spectrum Community Arts will provide you with an opportunity to:

• Have fun and share great company
• Make a difference to the lives of others
• Meet new people and make new friends
• Develop confidence and self-esteem
• Feel valued and part of a team
• Develop new skills, knowledge, and experience
• Build on existing experience and knowledge
• Improve employment prospect
• Gain valuable work experience to enhance your curriculum vitae (CV)
• Gain accreditation

Once we have received your application, you will then follow our 10-stage recruitment and onboarding process as illustrated below. Whilst the recruitment process may appear lengthy, it is important to understand that we are required to complete full due diligence on all applicants, which can take some time. This is a requirement due to the nature of the work we undertake and as such, in addition to the initial application we are required to complete reference, identification and DBS checks, which allows us to make safer recruitment decisions.  

Stage 1: 

Informal interview

You will be contacted by our Volunteer Coordinator to arrange a date and time to have an informal chat. This interview is undertaken via video calling (zoom) or telephone. We will go through your application and ask some additional questions. It is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have. 

Stage 2: 

Taster workshop

You will be invited to attend one of the weekly workshops on a shadow/observation basis. All Volunteers will be required to attend a workshop regardless of the role you've applied for as this provides an introduction to what Spectrum is about. Once you have attended a workshop, you will be contacted to get feedback on how you felt after the session, and to give you an opportunity to ask any questions.

Stage 3: 

Reference check

As part of your initial application, you will be asked to provide details of two referees to allow us to undertake reference checks. We will contact your nominated referees to provide a character reference and we will inform you once we have completed this stage.   

Stage 4: 

Identification Verification and Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check

We are required to ask for information on unspent criminal convictions and complete a DBS check as part of the recruitment process. This is due to the nature of the work in which we undertake and in some circumstances, we may need to explore some information further. This does not mean that your application will automatically be withdrawn if you declare an unspent conviction.

We will ask you to complete an online Disclosure and Barring (DBS) application form or if on the update service, we will complete an online check. An identification and address verification will also be completed, and you will be asked to provide documents to support this check. 

Stage 5: 

Induction

You will be invited to attend and complete pre-appointment volunteer induction training, where you will learn more about Spectrum Community Arts and the role(s) you have applied for. This induction will take place via video conferencing (Zoom) with the Volunteer Coordinator. Prior to the induction you will be asked to complete and submit some documents, which will be reviewed and discussed during the induction. This will includes providing emergency contact details and completing a Medical Declaration form. 

Stage 6: 

Confirmation of probationary appointment

Once your DBS check has been completed and satisfied you will be given confirmation of your volunteer probationary appointment with Spectrum Community Arts. Your probationary period will be in place for 6 months. At this stage you will be sent your 'Volunteer Agreement' to sign and return. 

Stage 7:

Mandatory Training

You will be booked onto any mandatory training required for your role, which you should complete during your 6-month probationary period. Training requirements for your role will be discussed during your Induction. 

Stage 8:

3-month Review

The Volunteer Coordinator will conduct a 3-month review with you to see how everything is going, to discuss your progress and to make sure you're happy with your volunteering journey so far. This will also be an opportunity for us to make sure we are providing you with everything you need. 

Stage 9:

6-month Review

The Volunteer Coordinator will conduct a 6-month review with you to discuss your progress and to complete your 6 month probationary period to a formal appointment as a volunteer

Stage 10:

Formal Appointment

Once you have successfully completed your 6-month probationary period you will be formally appointed to a 'full' volunteer. At this stage we will set a date for your Annual Appraisal. 

 

If you would like further information on the recruitment and onboarding process please contact volunteer@spectrumca.co.uk

Spectrum Community Arts predominantly provide services to three areas;

• Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
• Bletchley, Buckinghamshire
• Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

To fulfil our volunteer roles, you will ideally be located in or near one of these areas. If you're not a resident in any of these areas, you are not excluded from applying, however you will need to be willing to travel to attend workshops and/or events (depending on the role you apply for). 

From time to time, we do advertise roles, which are 'work from home' positions and do not require them to be in our operational areas. For example, we can recruit administrators from anywhere in the country to work in their own locality. We will, however, ask on occasion for them to attend team meetings and social gatherings.

Criminal Reference and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks

As part of the volunteer recruitment process we will require, in most cases, a criminal record check. These checks are processed by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and are to assist us in making safer recruitment decisions.

As part of our application process, we do ask you to provide details of any unspent criminal convictions. This does not mean that your application will automatically be withdrawn if you declare an unspent conviction.

Equal Opportunities:

It is the aim of Spectrum Community Arts to ensure that no one receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, sex, race, colour, religion, marital status, sexuality, or disability; is not placed at a disadvantage by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. Everyone shall adhere to our equal opportunities policy and ensure that diversity is valued throughout Spectrum Community Arts.

Paid Employment at Spectrum Community Arts:

Volunteers are able to apply for any jobs with Spectrum that are advertised externally. They are also able to apply for any jobs advertised internally once they commence a volunteer placement.

The agreed volunteering period:

During your involvement with us, you or Spectrum Community Arts can choose to stop the volunteering placement at any time. However, if you feel there is another volunteer role which you would be interested in or if you have a particular interest or skill and would like to use this in volunteering, then please discuss this with your Volunteer Coordinator.

When a volunteer leaves:

Whilst we hope that you will not leave your role as a Spectrum volunteer we understand that this is the nature of volunteering due to other commitments and further development. When a volunteer decides to leave Spectrum, for whatever reason, they are asked to complete an exit interview form to provide us with feedback about how they have found their time with us. This allows us to learn from them and to enhance the experience of future volunteers.

Can I claim benefits while volunteering?

Yes, you can volunteer while receiving benefits. You do need to inform your benefits adviser that you are volunteering.

Will I be interviewed?

You will not have a 'formal' interview but an informal 'discussion' about why you are interested in volunteering and what you would like to get out of it. This is as much an opportunity for you to find out more about Spectrum as it is for us to find out what you are interested in.

What volunteer opportunities do you have?

On an ongoing basis we recruit for the following roles:

• Workshop Assistant Volunteer
• Event and Workshop Support Volunteer (ad-Hoc)
• Fundraising Volunteer

You can find out more about these roles by looking at our 'Volunteering Opportunities' section within this application pack. 

In addition to the above we do, from time to time, advertise specific roles which you can apply for. In the past we have advertised for roles such as Administrator, Business Manager and Media and Marketing Coordinator. We normally advertise these on social media, our website and via third party online employment agencies. 

How much time do I need in order to volunteer?

Generally, our volunteers positions are offered on a flexible basis with no fixed term or hours, allowing you to give as much or as little time as you want.

 

If you have any questions, which are not answered in this application pack, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at volunteer@spectrumca.co.uk

If you have any questions regarding recruitment and volunteering matters or require further support with your application, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator;

• Contact Name: Tricia Moon
• Email: volunteer@spectrumca.co.uk

As part of the volunteer recruitment process and due to the nature of the roles, we will require, in most cases, a criminal record check before you start volunteering. These checks are processed by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and are to assist us in making safer recruitment decisions. 

You can find further guidance and information on Disclosure and Barring Service by clicking here.

This sections is to find out whether you have any unspent offences and whether you already have a DBS check on the update service or whether you will need to submit a new DBS application.

You can click HERE to view our Recruitment of Ex-offenders Policy 

If you are required to complete an application for a new DBS certificate there will be a small £19.00 fee charged to complete this. If you are unable to pay the fee please specify in question 5.f). Please note that DBS checks and payments are not processed until your reference checks have been completed and you have confirmed you still wish to continue with your appointment with Spectrum Community Arts. Once you have received your new DBS certificate you will be able to register for the update service free of charge. 

Please provide details of two references pertaining to your work, experience and/or character and your suitability to volunteer with Spectrum Community Arts.  These must be people who have known you for at least two years.  Wherever possible, these should be current/past employers, places you have volunteered or a teacher/tutor/social worker.  One of your referees can be personal, but cannot be a family member.

Referee 1:

Referee 2:

Please use this section to provide any other information that you think may be relevant to the role(s) for which you are applying.

Please use this sections to upload any supporting documents you may have such as your CV and qualifications.

If you hold any valid and in-date qualifications and/or certification or any other documents which are relevant to the role(s) you are undertaking with Spectrum Community Arts, please upload a copy below.

Examples: Emergency First Aid at Work | Safeguarding Children/Adults | Sign Language 

Please ensure the quality of the document uploaded is clear and focused – You can either scan your document and upload as a PDF file or a take a photo and upload as a png, jpg or jpeg file. You are able to upload multiple files.

If preferred, you can provide copies of your supporting documents and/or qualifications/certificates at a later stage. Please confirm below if you wish to provide these later. 

At Spectrum Community Arts, we value your support and promise to respect your privacy. The data we gather, and hold is managed in accordance with the Data Protection Act (2018) and GDPR regulations. We will not disclose or share personal information supplied by you with any third-party organisations without your consent.

In order to process your application, you must give consent to both statements below. If you do not wish to provide consent to either of these statements, we will be unable to continue with your application. 

By signing and submitting this application, I declare that the information given in this application is a true and complete statement. I understand that if I am successfully appointed as a volunteer for Spectrum Community Arts, that any false statements, omissions or other misrepresentations made by me on this application may result in my dismissal from Spectrum Community Arts. 

It is the policy of Spectrum Community Arts to provide equal opportunities without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, sexual preference, age or disability. I understand that any offer of appointment and subsequent volunteering is subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and eligibility to vounteer in the UK.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this application and your interest in working/volunteering with us. You will be contacted by a member of the recruitment team in due course.