By Kim Haskins

The term 'arts workshop' covers a broad spectrum of volunteering opportunities, which can be as diverse and exciting as the activities and people involved in them.

So, whether you're a skilled ceramicist or you've simply got a passing interest in a paintbrush, you could benefit others of all ages and abilities with your knowledge and enthusiasm.

The Skylight Centre

I visited the Skylight Centre, which is run by the charity Crisis and offers homeless people free, practical and creative workshops in London's lively East End.

Many of the centre's staff members are volunteers, including some who have previously been homeless themselves. While the centre focuses on offering support to homeless or vulnerably housed people, any member of the public can drop by and benefit from its services - just walk in, sign up and join in. The mix of people creates a dynamic and fun atmosphere that encourages engagement and the development of important social skills.

From circus performance to reflexology and debt management, there's a workshop for everybody at Skylight. Those with a bit of artistic flair can enjoy a variety of activities including painting, still life drawing, embroidery, print making, clay work and much more.

The art room

Skylight's spacious and vibrant art room welcomes around 25 to 30 budding Boticellis every day. Several works in progress are arranged around the room, demonstrating the impressive and diverse talent of the centre's members. Artistic materials are provided in the art room, as well as guidance and friendly conversation from the tutor and volunteers.

Volunteers are needed to lead many of the workshops at Skylight as well as to support other volunteers and staff members in running workshops. Caroline, a paid art tutor at Skylight, explains that while she prefers volunteers in the art room to have an artistic background, or at least an interest in creative arts, she thinks that social skills are more important.

"It's essential that volunteers can cope and interact well with the visitors," she says. "But it's also important to understand the boundaries between being a volunteer and being a visitor. While it's good to be friendly and chatty, a volunteer should always behave responsibly. For example, however close their relationship with a particular visitor may seem, they should resist giving them their phone number or address."

"A frequent visitor might normally seem pleasant and harmless, but that doesn't mean that they can't kick off all of a sudden. You have to be prepared to deal with erratic behaviour. If a visitor does start to get angry and aggressive, a volunteer should be able to handle the situation by calming everyone down and not retaliating."

Interviews

Anyone who applies to be a volunteer is invited to come to Skylight for an interview to assess their suitability. If you're accepted then you'll begin by shadowing the work of an existing volunteer who'll show you the ropes.

One volunteer in the art room is Chris, who is a working artist with his own studio in nearby Whitechapel. He's been helping out at Skylight twice a week over the last year and is extremely enthusiastic about his role, which includes laying out materials on the tables, assembling still life objects and offering creative assistance where necessary.

"I like being able to interact with the people here," he says. "I can't do that in my studio because I work alone." In fact, Chris enjoys volunteering in the art room so much that he's decided to make the move into becoming an employed tutor at Skylight.

Search the do-it.org.uk database for arts workshops opportunities in your local area.

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