Kingston's Rose Theatre Volunteers Complete Qualification in Customer Service

The Rose Theatre Of Kingston, UK and Kingston Adult Education recently joined forces to offer Rose volunteers the opportunity to complete a Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in customer service. Those who took the opportunity are now celebrating having passed the course before National Volunteers Week, which runs from June 1 to June 7.

Volunteer Co-ordinator Rachel Denyer said, "I'm really pleased we have been able to offer our volunteers this opportunity and I know the Rose will benefit from this too."

Jasminder Ghuman, one of the volunteers to complete the course, explained, "I have a strong interest in the arts and was keen to find a volunteering opportunity that was flexible. The NVQ Customer Services Level 2 seemed like a great way to gain a qualification that recognises the customer service skills I have developed at the Rose. I enjoy working at the Rose because of the variety of events it has and the different people who work and visit it."

The pilot scheme proved so successful that it has encouraged more volunteers to sign up for the course.

The Rose currently has 225 volunteers, and in 2009 they donated over 18,000 hours of their time to the theatre. The volunteers range in age, from 16 to those in their 80s, and come from all over the world including Holland, France, Germany, Poland and China.

Theatre Manager Lesley Smailes added, "The support and hard work we receive from our volunteers is phenomenal. We simply wouldn't be able to operate without them".

The Rose's volunteering scheme offers a range of roles, from ushering in the busy front of house department to handing out leaflets at local events. The Rose is currently recruiting volunteers; for more information, visit www.rosetheatrekingston.org or call Rachel Denyer at 01273 205 482.

The Rose is presenting many shows this summer, including THE CANTERBURY TALES and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE.  For more information, visit www.rosetheatrekingston.org.