Volunteering

Volunteer Social Media & Marketing Intern

Organisation: This New Ground
Location: Portsmouth / Hybrid
Role type: Volunteer Internship
Suitable for: University of Portsmouth Marketing students
Hours: Flexible, to be agreed around university commitments
Duration: To be agreed
Website: www.thisnewground.com
Social media: @thisnewgrounduk
Reports to: Designated This New Ground team member

About This New Ground

This New Ground is an arts organisation working to elevate the artistic voices of people with learning disabilities. Through creative projects, performance and community engagement, we create opportunities for people to develop their creativity, share their work and have their voices represented.

We are looking for a creative and enthusiastic University of Portsmouth Marketing student to join us as a Volunteer Social Media & Marketing Intern.

This is a practical opportunity to apply your marketing and social media knowledge within a real organisation, while gaining experience in content creation, digital communications, audience engagement and social media performance.

Purpose of the Role

The Volunteer Social Media & Marketing Intern will support This New Ground in creating engaging, accessible and consistent content across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Working alongside the This New Ground team, you will help capture and share stories from our workshops, projects, events and partnerships, celebrating the creativity and achievements of the people involved.

You will also use your marketing knowledge to help us think about our different audiences, how content can be adapted across platforms and how we can use social media insights to improve our communications over time.

We welcome fresh ideas and want the intern to have the opportunity to contribute creatively while working within This New Ground's values, brand and wider communications approach.

What You’ll Be Doing

Social Media & Content Creation

Help plan content across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Create and develop engaging social media content.
Write captions and copy suited to different audiences and platforms.
Support the creation of Reels, carousels, photography, video and other digital content.
Capture content from workshops, projects and events where appropriate.
Adapt and repurpose existing content for different channels.
Help maintain a regular and manageable content schedule.

Sharing Our Stories

You will help us develop content that showcases different areas of This New Ground's work, including:

Participant and artist stories and achievements.
Workshops, rehearsals and behind-the-scenes activity.
The impact and outcomes of our projects.
Partnerships and collaborative work.
Inclusion, accessibility and advocacy.

Audience Engagement

Consider different audiences when planning and creating content.
Help identify ways to increase meaningful engagement with our online communities.
Support the promotion of events, programmes and creative opportunities.
Help celebrate participant achievements and organisational milestones.
Contribute ideas for reaching community audiences, supporters, partners and other stakeholders.

Content Planning & Organisation

Contribute to the development of social media content calendars.
Help organise photographs, videos and other digital assets.
Use This New Ground's brand and content guidance when creating materials.
Support accessible and inclusive digital communications.
Follow agreed consent and safeguarding processes when creating and publishing content.

Social Media Insights

Help monitor social media performance across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Review metrics such as engagement, reach, shares, saves and follower growth.
Identify content and formats that perform particularly well.
Contribute to regular content reviews and discussions about what could be improved.
Use insights from previous content to help inform future ideas.

About You

This opportunity would suit a University of Portsmouth Marketing student who wants to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting and develop their professional experience.

You might be a good fit if you:

Are currently studying Marketing, Digital Marketing or a related subject at the University of Portsmouth.
Have a good understanding of social media and core marketing principles.
Are interested in content marketing, digital communications and audience engagement.
Enjoy developing creative ideas and turning them into engaging content.
Have strong written communication skills.
Understand that different platforms and audiences require different approaches.
Are interested in using social media insights and data to understand what is working.
Are organised, reliable and able to manage your time.
Are comfortable contributing ideas and working collaboratively.
Have an interest in inclusive and socially responsible marketing.

Experience using tools such as Canva, CapCut, Adobe Creative Cloud, social media scheduling tools or analytics platforms would be helpful, but we don't expect you to know everything.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is interested in putting their existing marketing knowledge into practice and developing it through real-world experience.

What You’ll Gain

This role is designed to provide meaningful professional experience alongside your university studies.

You will have opportunities to develop:

Practical social media and digital marketing experience.
Content planning and campaign experience.
Copywriting and digital storytelling skills.
Audience-focused marketing experience.
Photography, video and short-form content skills.
Experience interpreting social media analytics.
Understanding of platform-specific marketing.
Knowledge of accessible and inclusive communications.
Experience working within an arts and community organisation.
Confidence presenting and developing your own marketing ideas.

You will also be able to build examples of practical marketing work that may contribute to your CV and professional portfolio, where appropriate and subject to permissions.

You will receive guidance and feedback from the This New Ground team throughout the placement.

Our Approach

Our social media is about more than promoting activities. We want it to reflect the creativity, personalities and experiences of the people who make up This New Ground and help audiences understand the impact of our work.

We want the intern to bring their own perspective and marketing knowledge to the role. You will be encouraged to ask questions, suggest ideas, experiment with different approaches and learn from how audiences respond.

How to Apply

Please email nathalie@thisnewground.com with a short introduction telling us:

What you are studying and your current year at the University of Portsmouth.
Why you are interested in volunteering with This New Ground.
Which areas of marketing or social media interest you most.
What you would like to gain from the internship.
Any relevant university projects, campaigns, social media work or creative projects you would like to share.

You do not need previous professional marketing experience. We are looking for someone who is creative, curious, reliable and keen to apply their marketing knowledge in a real organisation.

Find out more: www.thisnewground.com
Follow us: @thisnewgrounduk
Apply: nathalie@thisnewground.com

Creative Arts Workshop Assistant Volunteer

Role Title: Creative Arts Workshop Assistant
Location: Hammersmith, London
Time Commitment: Tuesday daytime (3 hours)
Reporting To: Lead Facilitator/Workshop Coordinator

Role Overview: We are looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate volunteer to assist in delivering creative arts workshops for people with a learning disability. This role offers a wonderful opportunity to contribute to an inclusive environment where participants can express themselves, develop new skills, and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of creative arts. The volunteer will work closely with workshop facilitators and participants, helping to create a supportive and engaging atmosphere.

Key Responsibilities:

Assist with Workshop Facilitation: Support the lead facilitator in setting up, preparing, and delivering various art activities (painting, drawing, mixed media, etc.).
Support Participants: Offer individual or small group support to participants, assisting with tasks, encouraging creativity, and helping with any specific needs they may have during activities.
Encourage Expression: Foster a positive and non-judgmental atmosphere, encouraging participants to express themselves freely through art.
Provide Emotional Support: Be attentive and patient with participants, offering reassurance and positive reinforcement when needed.
Adapt Activities: Assist in adapting the workshops and art materials to suit the abilities and preferences of each participant.
Assist with Documentation: Help with recording participants’ progress, capturing photos (with consent), or providing feedback to the facilitator on how participants are engaging with the activities.
Maintain a Safe Environment: Ensure the art space is safe, organised, and inclusive for all participants. Follow safeguarding and health and safety guidelines.
Promote Social Interaction: Encourage socialisation and group participation, ensuring a fun, collaborative, and inclusive atmosphere.
Provide Feedback: Share insights on how workshops can be improved to better meet the needs of participants.

Skills and Qualities We Are Looking For:

A genuine interest in working with people with a learning disability and promoting their creative expression.
Patience, empathy, and a non-judgmental attitude.
Ability to work as part of a team and take direction from workshop facilitators.
Good communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with participants of all abilities.
Creativity and a passion for the arts (previous experience in art is helpful but not essential).
Flexibility and adaptability in responding to the varied needs of participants.
A sense of fun and enthusiasm for working in a creative, inclusive environment.

What You Will Gain:

Experience working with a diverse group of people, including those with a learning disability.
The opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting individuals in expressing themselves through art.
Personal growth and the development of skills such as communication, teamwork, and creative facilitation.
Training and support in delivering arts-based activities to people with a learning disability.
A rewarding experience of being part of a welcoming, supportive community.

How to Apply: Please send your CV and a brief cover letter detailing your interest in this role and relevant experience (if any) to lucy@thisnewground.com. We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Front of House Volunteer

Pivot Fest - Portsmouth’s Learning Disability Arts Festival
Location: Aspex Portsmouth
Dates: 8-10 May 2026

Role overview

Pivot Fest is looking for friendly, reliable and people-focused volunteers to help welcome audiences and support the smooth running of our learning disability-led arts festival.

Many of the artists, participants and audience members will be learning disabled and/or neurodivergent. Front of House volunteers play a vital role in helping create a calm, respectful and inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome, safe and supported.

No previous experience is needed. We’ll provide clear guidance and a short training session so you feel confident in the role.

What you’ll do

You may be involved in:

Welcoming visitors as they arrive
Helping people find their way around the venue
Supporting access needs and reasonable adjustments
Answering questions about the programme
Managing queues, seating and crowd flow
Supporting quiet and sensory spaces
Checking tickets or sign-ins
Keeping shared spaces tidy and safe
Offering reassurance or practical support if someone feels unsure or overwhelmed

You’ll always be supported by festival staff and will work as part of a team.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for people who are:

Warm, patient and welcoming
Comfortable engaging with different communication styles and needs
Calm, observant and responsive
Respectful of disability, difference and lived experience
Reliable and happy to follow guidance
Willing to ask questions and seek support when unsure

Experience in customer service, care, education, community work, arts or events is welcome but not essential.

Training, safeguarding & support

Mandatory training: morning of Thursday 7 May (approx. 2 hours)
Training covers inclusive communication, accessibility, safeguarding, health and safety, and your role on the day
A DBS check is required and will be arranged at no cost to you
Briefings provided at the start of each shift