TWO West Cumbrians are helping to raise awareness of Volunteers’ Week by highlighting the benefits of volunteering at Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven.

Stanley Skelly, 17, and Maureen Monkhouse, 68, are part of a team of volunteers at the theatre and are encouraging others to get on board.

They carry out a variety of duties, including meeting and greeting audiences, helping people to their seats, and general assistance.

Stan, of Frizington, is studying computing at Carlisle College and has volunteered since October 2019. He is interested in theatre and felt it would be good work experience.

He said: “I love all of the role. It’s given me an opportunity to see some amazing performances.

“I thought Rosehill Players’ production of Le Grand Return, where three men ‘escaped’ from a care home to go to France for a war ceremony, was incredibly well acted and very moving.

“I also loved opera singer Lesley Garrett with pianist Anna Tilbrook. Lesley was a great raconteur and entertainer.”

When he is not at Rosehill or studying, Stan enjoys gaming and binge-watching TV series, and urges anyone interested in volunteering to “go for it”.

“It’s a great experience and you get the chance to see world-class shows,” he added.

“Rosehill has an amazing atmosphere and range of entertainment. All the staff and volunteers are really friendly and I soon felt part of the Rosehill family.”

Maureen, from Whitehaven, has volunteered at Rosehill for 13 years, having retired as a primary school teacher in 2007.

Her last job was at Moresby Primary School where she was early years and Key Stage 1 teacher, as well as special educational needs co-ordinator. She often helps out at schools performances and the Taking Part family craft activities.

She said: “I attended music, theatre and film events at Rosehill and when I retired I thought I could offer some of my time to do whatever jobs needed doing and meet new people. Through volunteering I’ve developed friendships with people I may not otherwise have met.”

She also likes to keep busy walking, gardening, crafting, travelling, cooking, and having friends over for dinner. She is also a member of U3A and an avid reader. To anyone thinking of becoming a volunteer, she said “do it”.

“Rosehill has an amazing history and links with some of the most high-profile people in the arts world,” she added.

She said: “It is looking to continue this with its new facilities and it’s good to be a part of that.”

Among the people she has met over the years is a classical musician who will surely remember her well. She said: “When getting changed before the performance, the cellist realised she hadn’t brought the skirt she was going to wear and only had jeans. We were about the same size so I drove home, brought a couple of outfits for her to try and she was able to appear on stage in time, suitably dressed. The audience were none the wiser!”

Stan and Maureen are just two of Rosehill’s many volunteers and more are always welcome.

The theatre and The Green Room restaurant are currently closed but will reopen as soon as circumstances allow.

For details of volunteering opportunities at Rosehill, email house manager Matt Rae at matt.rae@rosehilltheatre.co.uk

Led by the NCVO, Volunteers’ Week was established in 1984 and is the UK’s biggest annual celebration of volunteering, although events for 2020 had to be curtailed.