Shane's story
Shane works tirelessly to maintaine the Trinity building and set-up for events
"During a period of unemployment I felt the need to go out and do something productive, regardless of a wage being involved and so I decided to volunteer at The Trinity Centre.
I initially worked at Arts West Side (Trinity's arts café satellite project) for a few months, helping to finish work on the building for its grand opening.
After completion, I started volunteering several days a week at the Trinity Centre itself, splitting my time between working with the Facilities Team and participating in various activities and training courses put on by the Centre.
I also had the opportunity to help deliver workshops in Trinity's Garden and at Arts West Side during this time.
Volunteering at Trinity has allowed me to pursue many creative projects over the course of four years and has given me new confidence to take on responsibilities at the Centre. This ultimately lead to being offered paid work at the centre after 18 months. Then in 2014, I was given the role of Facilities Coordinator.
I have learned a lot of unique skills pertaining to the everyday operations of a community arts venue, working as both a member of the Facilities Team and a Duty Manager and feel that I have been able to bring some of my own previous skills and experience to the table as well to help shape the role of what a Facilities Coordinator does.
I'm really privileged to work in an organisation that allows me to interact with such a broad spectrum of users on a daily basis and help cater to their individual needs. I think Trinity is all about the personal touch, and I have seen a lot of positive things being achieved at the Centre, through this process of warmth and respect.
In particular, the working relationships with weekly community groups who use the Centre have evolved and blossomed in my four years at the Centre and, in some cases, fundamental change in peoples perception of others - regardless of age, race or gender - has been made.
This kind of personal touch extends to all the various activities that go on at Trinity - from a 500 strong crowd at a rock gig to one-to-one advice and training for a youth music student. This is why I continue to work passionately for Trinity Community Arts and feel that it is an indispensable creative resource for the city of Bristol."
Shane Perry, Facilities Coordinator 2014
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