UH Arts + Culture (University of Hertfordshire Arts + Culture) brings a rich arts and culture programme to our campus and our local communities. We share the best visual arts, live arts, music, film, design and media across our university sites, in Hatfield and St Albans. Collaborating with artists and performers, we commission and present ambitious and relevant work, informed by research. We seek to engage the public as audience members, participants and active co-producers. Reaching across our county, we are committed to strengthening Hertfordshire’s arts and cultural offer with our partners.

We would not be able to operate without the invaluable support of our volunteers, there are many different roles and opportunities to get involved with our work.

Voluntary Roles

Health and safety

Each of the venues we operate in have its own health and safety measures in place, these are very important and are there for you, and our visitors’ wellbeing whilst on campus. Your reporting supervisor will brief you on arrival of any matters you should be made aware of and will have a personal risk assessment for you in place. Should you have any additional needs that we should be aware of, please ensure these are discussed before your first day on site.

Available shifts

Where possible, we will offer our volunteers shifts before our events start for the season such as in January and then again in July, however we might only have a short notice period to offer events depending on when they are scheduled.

We try and offer our volunteers as many shifts as they would like and the amount of commitment in time our volunteers allocate is up to them. We just ask that you commit to the shifts you are allocated, as the successful running of our events is down to all the staff and volunteers fulfilling their individual roles.

If for any reason we no longer need your support on an event we will give you as much notice as possible.

Shift timings

You will be advised by the manager in charge about what your expected arrival time should be. Please ensure you arrive promptly and if you are going to be late for any reason, to inform the manager in charge as soon as possible.

Dress and etiquette

The different roles have different dress code expectations so please ensure you have discussed this with the manager in charge before you come onto campus.

As an UH Arts + Culture volunteer you are representing the University and are expected to follow the University’s professional rules of conduct at all times.

UH Arts + Culture Volunteer policy

After you have had your initial volunteer meeting with one of the programme managers and you are happy to start volunteering with us, we ask for you to read, agree and sign our volunteer policy. This document outlines the expectations we have of you and what we offer in return. It is not a binding contract, but if you wish to cease volunteering with us at anytime we ask for as much notice as possible, please.

Register your interest

if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, register your interest on the  UH Arts + Culture website.

Contact us

Contact Melissa Alexander, Programme Manager Live Arts, Music + Media

Contact Elizabeth Murton, Programme Manager: Visual Arts, Design + Collections

Contact Asa Miller, Principal Technical Officer

Contact Mel Proctor, Marketing Coordinator

For general enquiries please email uharts@herts.ac.uk

The Clinton-Baker Pinetum at Bayfordbury is a 10-acre site owned by the University, but entirely managed by one part-time staff member (Ian Flack), and by a team of volunteers. The Pinetum is a collection of conifers (approx. 178 species) set in native woodland, a short walk from the main campus buildings. Planting was initiated in 1767 with trees being added at various stages over the subsequent years.  The current restoration project was initiated in 1994 through the vision and enthusiasm the Curator, Dr Edward Eastwood, who managed the project until 2020, when ill-health prevented his active involvement.

Work parties take place every Wednesday, starting at 9.30am. We have a lunch break in the Pinetum and usually finish around 3.30pm. However, no need to commit to the whole day – you can come for just a few hours if you wish. Once you know your way around, you could simply join us in the Pinetum at a time that suits you.

Work times and dates can change due to unforeseen factors (e.g. weather conditions, staff / volunteer availability) so please contact Ian if you intend to come, so you can be updated with any cancellations or changes. On your first visit we will give you a tour, where you'll learn about the history of the site and the current restoration aims.

Where do I meet?

Park in the car park by the main building of the University’s Bayfordbury Campus (SG13 8LD) where there is ample free parking.  We normally gather a short distance away, but you will be met in the car park on your first visit.  Please note that the car park is not usually open outside of normal working hours.

What should I bring?

Wear outdoor clothing and footwear suitable for working on potentially muddy and uneven surfaces: walking or work boots are ideal.  Tools and gloves are provided but you might wish to bring your own gardening gloves.  Bring food and drink if you are staying for lunch.

What can I expect?

The nature of the tasks is very varied and are often decided on the day. All volunteers regardless of experience, age or level of fitness are welcome and full training in the use of any tools will be given.  It’s fun and it’s sociable - we spend time together on group tasks and have lunch together.  You will be in the open air; you’ll get exercise and there are a wide variety of tasks to experience with like-minded people.  You can learn new skills or share your skills with others. If you know people from similar groups, please spread the word and bring them along!

Tasks could include:

• keeping paths and open spaces accessible
• tree planting and aftercare
• mowing
• occasional tree felling and removal of fallen timber
• construction projects involving carpentry and stonework / bricklaying
• tending the woodland garden
• tidying / weeding areas around delicate plants
• having bonfires every now and again!

There is some activity for every level of experience or fitness, and you might learn a new skill in a friendly environment.

Contact us and more information

For more information, you can visit The Clinton-Baker Pinetum website.

If interested in attending or need further information on this opportunity, please contact the acting Curator, Ian Flack.

The University of Hertfordshire delivers an integrated Masters of Optometry programme. Clinical training is provided for the students on the College Lane campus, in a specially developed optometry examination areas. We are looking for patients of all ages and backgrounds and you do not need to be a spectacle or contact lens wearer.

We would like to invite you to assist as a surrogate patient, or ‘mock patient’ where you will be assisting students in their clinical training. Each training session will be structured in 90-120 minute blocks and you can choose to attend a number of sessions during one day. Each training session will mimic parts, if not all, of an eye appointment.

Duties

Assisting students in their clinical training, by:

• agreeing to have an eye examination
• agreeing to have a contact lens check or a spectacle fitting as a surrogate patient.

All sessions are supervised by qualified Optometrists, who are also registered with the General Optical Council.

Please note that being an optometry surrogate patient must not replace your routine eye examination and/or contact lens check with your optometrist.

You will be paid an hourly rate of £15 per hour.

Contact us

To register or for more information please email us via surrogates.pgm@herts.ac.uk (preferred method of contact) or call us on 01707285169.

This has been approved by Health and Human Sciences ECDA Protocol number: cLMS/MOptom/UH/02261)