Ledbury Poetry has launched a scheme offering volunteering opportunities in the creative industries across Herefordshire.

Creative Pathways in the Shire is designed to match wannabe volunteers with opportunities in the arts, culture and heritage sectors.

The scheme also offers personalised training and support for volunteers.

The opportunities are in art, film, events, festivals, marketing, social media, digital archiving, heritage and exhibitions.

READ MORE: Poetry House becomes Ledbury's latest Talk Community Hub

They are provided by organisations including Ledbury Poetry, Hereford Cathedral, The Courtyard Theatre, Herefordshire Museums and Libraries, Ledbury Places, Meadow Arts, The National Trust, Rural Media and 2 Faced Dance.

Emma Clowsley, the project lead for Creative Pathways, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Herefordshire Cultural Partnership to create fabulous opportunities for people to connect with the arts.

“This is just the beginning of a two year project and we are excited to see where these individual journeys will lead.”

Volunteering opportunities in Herefordshire for people of all ages

Creative Pathways says the opportunities being created are for all ages, whether people want a month of work experience, have a morning a week to offer or are looking to work from home.

Claire Purcell of Meadow Arts, a contemporary visual arts charity, said: “Creative Pathways in the Shire will be of value to Meadow Arts because it will encourage us to look at volunteering in a new light, specifically, our offer; the diversity of volunteers and the range of opportunities sought.

“By working with peer organisations from across county and other members of Herefordshire 

Cultural Partnership, we will learn from shared expertise, gaining valuable insight and opening the discussion around how to maximise opportunities for all parties.”

READ MORE: Funding boost to kickstart restoration work on Barrett Browning Institute

Tamsin Fitzgerald, of Hereford-based 2Faced Dance Company, said: “2Faced Dance Company are committed to increasing the role that volunteers play in their organisation, raising awareness about our cause and profile whilst building significant relationships within the local community.

“This project provides volunteering opportunities that develop social inclusion, skills development and potential routes into employment for young people living in rural isolation.

“It will increase the diversity of those participating in the cultural sector, develop leadership and provide our company with a range of diverse viewpoints and shared experiences.

“We cannot think of a more needed opportunity at this time in the world.”