Meet the Team, Case Study
Gallery, Evie
Family Learning Volunteer
Describe your average day…
It’s a bit of cliché answer but it just depends on the day. Some days I’ll be in the family arts studio, helping families with anything that they need whether that’s giving them resources they need or giving them ideas of what they can do. And other days it’s more housekeeping stuff like tidying. But mostly it’s helping families.
Tell us how you came to be in this role? Why did you want to volunteer?
I’ve always been interested in working with children, and I was looking for some volunteering roles and I saw it online and I also enjoy being creative it’s fun to get ideas from the kids because they’re really creative.
What’s your favourite part of the role?
Being able to be creative and also see the children’s creativity and seeing their minds and their imagination working. I take a lot of inspiration from them. They just do whatever they want and that inspires me. And also helping the local community, it’s nice to meet new people like other volunteers - now we’re really good friends, we talk all the time, and we wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for volunteering.
What three skills do you think you need in your role?
I would just say just being kind really. I was quite nervous at the beginning. Confidence obviously helps but that grows with time. Being kind, being enthusiastic and up for anything really helps.
I’ve got a new job at a nursery and volunteering with the children here has made me a lot more confident in my job. It’s made me more confident interacting with parents and children.
What is the most challenging aspect of your role?
At the start I struggled to have confidence to ask people if they need help. But over time I found it easier and I got more confident.
How would you describe the team at Broadway Gallery?
Friendly, fun, approachable, kind, funny, smiley, forward-thinking, inclusive.
What’s your biggest achievement so far?
I’d say being able to interact with parents, children and also artists. If you’d told me a few months ago that I’d be talking to artists I’d be like 'what there’s no way I can do that'. So I guess, yeah, learning to interact with everyone. Also using my own creativity because I didn’t take art for GCSE, but there’s been a few times where I’ve sat down to have some quiet time to do some drawing, which is like a personal achievement during this busy time.
Why would you recommend volunteering at Broadway Gallery?
It helps you to grow your confidence. It’s really rewarding. You feel really fulfilled. It gives you lots of life experiences and transferable skills. Like with my job, I’d never have done that if I hadn’t volunteered. It helps you to be a nice person, you have more empathy it’s nice to be a part of something and help your local community.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I like socialising with my friends, singing, staying active, going to the gym, listening to music, having fun with friends.
What was the last film you watched?
I can’t remember film but for TV shows, I recently watched Heartstopper, TopBoy and Selling Sunset.
If you could meet one famous person, who would it be?
I’d probably say the musician Sam Fender because I love his music and as a person I like his values. Or maybe Michelle Obama.
If you could go back into any period of time, which year would you choose and why?
The 80s I feel like that would be really cool like all the music. Or maybe like the 60s. I love the music in both.