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Volunteering

"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands – one for helping yourself, the other for helping others." — Audrey Hepburn

Our Ethos

Rusthall Community Cinema is built entirely on the passion and dedication of our fabulous volunteers. We are a friendly bunch of film lovers who work hard behind the scenes to bring high-quality entertainment to the heart of our community. Whether you want to be right at the centre of the action on film nights or prefer helping out during the week, there is a place for you here. As a charity, our aim is to provide entertainment for the whole community, especially for those with physical or financial challenges that make travelling elsewhere difficult. Our audience selects the films we show, and our volunteers do everything they can to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Our motto is "Each show a little better." We try to enhance the regular cinema experience by offering a full evening of entertainment built around the main feature film.

Why Volunteer ?

We are a team of friends — for that is what newcomers quickly become — who donate our time to enrich our own lives and the lives of our neighbours. It is incredibly satisfying to be part of a team that excels at making visitors happy. We love to recognise the dedication of our volunteers, celebrating our close-knit community with outside visits to share experiences, social gatherings, and small gifts of thanks. Volunteers also receive enhanced voting rights when selecting which films to bring to the screen for upcoming seasons.

The Commitment

Rusthall Community Cinema depends on a reliable team of volunteers, with everyone playing their part. To ensure that the workload is shared fairly and that we maintain a strong team spirit, we ask every volunteer to help with at least two films of their choice each season. A typical season features around 15 films over six months, so this is a modest commitment. We publish a schedule of tasks for every screening, allowing you to sign up for the roles and dates that suit you best. Most roles take place on the evening itself, while some organisational tasks can be carried out flexibly during the week, including from home. We understand that circumstances can change. If you need to withdraw from a shift, please give at least three days' notice wherever possible, so that we have time to arrange cover. Some volunteers make valuable contributions in other ways, and these are recognised. Any out-of-pocket expenses agreed in advance will be reimbursed.

Experience & Training

No previous experience is necessary. New volunteers are paired up to shadow an experienced team member until they feel comfortable executing the role on their own. Some specialised tasks naturally require a little more technical training, which can easily be undertaken at a pace to suit your schedule. While many of our volunteers have reached retirement age, we warmly welcome younger helpers looking to build skills, work towards a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, or complete an International Baccalaureate placement.

What Can I Try ?

(click link to see details)

For Each Film

Between Films

Per Season

How To Get Involved

Your journey starts with a simple email to our Coordinating Trustee at Eugene@RusthallCinema.club. We can have a friendly chat about how your skills and interests might match what we do, and answer any questions you have. We are fully committed to inclusion; if you have a disability or require any specific adjustments, we will work with you to ensure that appropriate assistance is always in place.

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Remember, you will never be dropped into a role alone on your first night—you will always work alongside an experienced 'buddy' until you feel completely at home.

Rusthall Community Cinema, Sunnyside Community Hall, Rusthall Road, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8RA England.  hello@RusthallCinema.club
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