Volunteer

If you love what we’re about and want to be a part of it, if you are looking for ways to make positive contribution, and would get a thrill out of helping a great cause in a very real way, then you will enjoy being a volunteer here.

Click here to ask for more info and an application form

The Art House needs more cafe and kitchen volunteers to keep things running smoothly! Plus, we are always looking for a little bit of help with administrative tasks if that’s more your thing. With all the quirks and facets of The Art House and what we do, you’ll always find somewhere to fit in here.

Our financial model is that the cafe (food and drink sales) make the money we need to fund the space for grassroots art, community and more –  and volunteers are an essential part of that picture.

Having volunteers enables us to buy and operate ethically – using organic, local and fairtrade – preventing the exploitation of people, animals and planet without passing the cost on to our community.  This keeps us accessible to as many people as possible without compromising our values.

The volunteer roles here are hands-on, rather than creative – most of our crew give their time to support with this – serving customers in the cafe, preparing food in the kitchen, working on the till, clearing tables, talking to people who visit and (of course) washing up! However we also have a few admin tasks that we are looking to hand over to the volunteer team, this includes setting up our regular events and compiling our “What’s on” guides – and this could be done from home! 

But it isn’t all about hands-in-the-dishwater.

Volunteering enables you to make a difference right at the heart of our organisation by pitching in with the many day to day tasks that keep us going, as well as helping to shape our larger vision.

We need enthusiastic, reliable people who are:

• Excited about our aims
• Willing to pitch in with day-to-day tasks
• Available fairly regularly – about twice a month or more
• Likely to be able to volunteer for at least 3 months or more
  (we do take shorter term work experience placements sometimes)
• Willing to learn and be challenged by our busy environment!
• Have an open mind and an embracing heart

Volunteering roles in the café and kitchen are open to people aged 16 and over. As per the council’s child safeguarding guidelines, we are unable to allow people under the ages of 16 to volunteer with us at this time, however we are liaising with the council to try and change this to 14 and over.

“I absolutely loved it! I made new friends and met really interesting people, I always left my shift in a good mood. It was also a brilliant way to get experience in customer service. I learnt more about vegan food and drink, which is always good info to have.”
— Kyra, cafe volunteer

You will get a real sense of purpose and achievement, gain confidence, learn new skills and make some great new friends – volunteering may well be the best decision you ever make!

Ode to Volunteering:

“Did a shift at the Art House yesterday, washing up / When I got home my skin was soft / and clean from the steam from the washer / Now you can not only do good but also look fit / With a free steam facial on every shift / The Art House: Volunteering never looked so gorgeous”
– Damian, cafe volunteer

Click here to ask for more info and an application form 

“I volunteered at the Art House cafe for a year and absolutely LOVED it.  My favourite place in Southampton and the best place I have ever been to eat.  The atmosphere is so inspiring and I made so many great friends there………

Nowhere else will you find a place more creative, welcoming, and have cake that tastes THAT GOOD!!”
— Jade, cafe volunteer

Our everyday work, like the work our volunteers do, is based on small and simple actions, which add up to make a big difference.  

The impact which providing this space makes to the people who visit here is very large indeed, people who visit and volunteer often say it is a life-changing experience for them.

Our way of working is also pioneering a new way of gathering community and doing business, so by helping us you are also becoming a part of a global movement for positive change.

Volunteer roles vary from preparing food in the kitchen, to working in the cafe, to some admin support, helping in the Trash Cocktail Boutique and even building maintenance!

Being part of a great team, meeting new people and dealing with customers are just some of the skills you’ll have the opportunity to develop.

Volunteering also has benefits including:

• Discounted meals when you are on shift
• Training in using a till, preparing food, barista training, food hygiene and customer service
• Discounted and free tickets to some events
• Special volunteer socials and outings, exclusive to our crew!
• Our volunteer privilege card (after your training period of 8 shifts is finished) giving you 25% off food and drink every time you visit us plus perks with local partners such as The Joiners and Orchard Therapies

We offer full training, so you don’t need to have experience, just a willingness to learn!

Click here to ask for more info and an application form

Please note that we have a zero tolerance policy to racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist any other kind of discriminatory behaviour here at The Art House. We are also actively working to have a more diverse team of volunteers and would like to invite people who are part of minority groups to come and work with us.   We warmly welcome refugees here.