Diverse City London Ltd
3 Manwell Drive
Swanage
BH19 2RB
Registered Company No 06004929
Volunteer Handbook
Diverse City: Breathe 2012
Contents
Page
Welcome
3
What is Diverse City: Breathe 2012?
4
Responsibilities
5
What you need to know
5
Volunteer Agreement
6
Contacts
8
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Dear Volunteer,
Thank you for your interest in supporting Diverse City: Breathe 2012. We are delighted you are joining us as
a volunteer and you are now vital member of our team.
This handbook helps you to understand what we expected from you and what you can expect from us. This
handbook explains what Breathe is and what you need to know. It includes the volunteer agreement that
you need to read carefully, sign and email back to k.palmer@diversecitylondon.org. You will also find the
grievance policy, health and safety policy and a list of contacts for the event. This will help you to
understand your responsibilities throughout the event.
Here at Diverse City: Breathe we would like to build a mutually beneficial relationship in which you use
your strengths, passions and dedication to not only benefit Breathe, but also yourself.
We reserve stewarding tasks and high profile roles for volunteers, because we believe volunteers are the
best people for these responsibilities.
Volunteering for Diverse City: Breathe will give you a once in a lifetime opportunity and Kathryn, Rebecca
and Letitia will help to give you the best possible experience to create once in a lifetime memories.
We would like to say thank you again for your support and we look forward to working with you.
Yours sincerely,
Kathryn Palmer, Letitia Wilson and Rebecca Causon.
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What is Diverse City: Breathe 2012?
Diverse City: Breathe is an Unlimited Commission and part of the London 2012 Festival. It sits within Battle
for the Winds: Final Battle that marks the opening ceremony for the Olympic Sailing events. The show is on
Saturday 28th July at 8.45pm on Weymouth beach.
BATTLE FOR THE WINDS
Co-produced by Bristol-based creative producers Desperate Men and Cirque Bijou, Battle for the Winds
aims to leave a lasting creative legacy for the South West. It is a unique collaboration between
internationally renowned outdoor artists, circus and digital performers, writers and theatre practitioners,
drawing in 4000 community participants across the region.
Partners include Arts University College Bournemouth, Activate, Outdoor Celebratory Arts Network, Quest
(South West) Co Ltd, Barnardo’s, DepARTure, Weymouth College, Diverse City and The Remix. Battle for
the Winds is supported by Arts Council England and South West local authorities. It is part of the London
2012 Festival, a spectacular 12-week nationwide celebration bringing together leading artists from across
the world with the very best from the UK, and Maritime Mix– London 2012 Cultural Olympiad by the Sea.
BATTLE FOR THE WINDS TIMELINE
July 26 – Weymouth – The Ceremony of the Winds – 12pm-4pm
Throughout the day, the seven wind gathering teams and their vessels arrive in Weymouth and Portland to
present their winds to Aeolus, the ruler of the winds – but they must watch out for Doldrum, who is lying in
wait to steal the winds.
July 27 – High Angle Battery, Portland – The Search for Doldrum’s Lair – 30mins performances 12.30, 1pm,
1.30, 2pm, 2.30. Reserve tickets here
Come to Doldrum’s Lair if you dare! The search for Doldrum and his lair of stone continues amongst the
stunning scenery of Portland quarries and an abandoned Napoleonic fort. A 20 minute dance performance
and multimedia installation explores the myth of Doldrum, who has captured the pure South West Wind,
and fossilized and trapped the voices and breath of young people.
July 28 – Weymouth Beach – The Ceremony of the Winds 12pm – 4pm and Final Battle 8.45-11pm
Throughout the day, the Wind Gatherers process along the esplanade with their fantastical wind vessels.
They assemble at the beach, where Diverse City: Breathe takes up the story. Doldrum has captured some of
the Breathers - a group of beings who can raise the most powerful winds with their spirit, passion and
breath. Disabled and non-disabled performers will tell the story of Doldrum’s defeat by the Breathers in a
stunning outdoor performance of aerial work, circus and dance.
Finally, The Battle for the Winds ensemble will join the Breathe Company in a dramatic celebration of the
release of the winds, including a massed ‘squibbing’ performance from Bridgewater Carnival, up to 2012
fire torches in the sea, performances on stage and in the air, video projections and pyrotechnics. The
winds are released to the sea and the sailing events can commence.
Breathe is produced by Diverse City and created by three leading disabled artists: Jamie Beddard, Alex
Bulmer and Dave Toole. This unparalleled and inspirational event is performed by local theatre groups The
Remix and Double Act who will be working throughout the week of July 23rd-July 28th, putting the elements
of the show together and joining with two Brazilian companies APAE Floripa and EstacaoDancar,
Florianopolis, Brazil.
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Responsibilities
Please find and read carefully through the description of the role that applies to you.
Front of House
This role involves being part of the front of house crew. You will supply access support information and
make the public aware of the audio description hire. You are responsible for handing out and taking back
all equipment. People from all backgrounds and walks of life will be attending this event. It is your
responsibility to answer questions from the public and to find answers to questions to which you do not
know the answer. You will need to know what the event is about and key access information.
Wardrobe Assistants
This role involves helping the costume team with the organisation of costume and make up during the
rehearsals and the main show. The costumes are being designed and made by the Arts University College
Bournemouth who are the core wardrobe team.
Cast Stewards
This role involves ensuring that Breathe cast members are directed to where they need to be when they
need to be there. You will be positioned both front of house and back stage to guide and support cast
members at the beginning and end of rehearsal and performance calls.
Audience Stewards
The show is expecting a crowd of 10,000 spectators. You will work with many other stewards to manage
the crowd to ensure safety for the spectators, public and yourselves; You are responsible for being alert to
any hazards or potential problems and communicating appropriately and effectively.
Dog Wrangler
Your role is to look after Zeus, a guide dog. Your role will be to walk him safely, support his toileting, put
food out for him and keep him company. This role is crucial to Zeus’ ability to settle off site in artist
accommodation during the rehearsals and performance. The volunteer will be trained in how to maintain
Zeus’ training, ensure his safety and reduce potential for stress.
What you need to know



Dates Battle for the Winds: The Final Battle is on the 28th July 2012 from 8.45pm until 10.45pm.
The performance takes place on the live site on Weymouth beach. For full details of when you are
required, please refer to your schedule.
Bring packed meals, snacks and plenty of refreshments for rehearsals and performance. Please do
not bring valuables onto the live site. You will be able to take breaks and leave your belongings in
The Ballroom at The Prince Regent Hotel, The Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 7NR.
Wear comfortable clothing and be prepared for the weather, you will be provided with a high
visibility vest so that the public will be able to identify you easily.
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
Getting there Parking in the area will be extremely limited and all volunteers MUST use public
transport. Please see web information about transport and park and ride arrangements.
Volunteer Agreement
This volunteer agreement describes the arrangement between Diverse City: Breathe 2012 and
______________________________________________
Part 1: The Volunteer
Your role as volunteer is ________________________________
You will be required on the following dates and times (Please fill in as appropriate)
1. Date________________Time from________________To ____________
2. Date________________Time from________________To ____________
3. Date________________Time from________________To ____________.
I, ______________________________________________ agree:
 To work as a volunteer on the dates and times described above
 To perform my volunteering role to the best of my ability
 To follow the organisation’s procedures and standards, including those relating to health and safety and
equal opportunities, in relation to its staff, volunteers and clients
 To meet time commitments agreed to, and to give reasonable notice of any absence or lateness so that
other arrangements can be made
Part 2: The Organisation
Diverse City: Breathe 2012 commits itself to the following:
1.
Induction and training
To provide you with an introduction to the work of Diverse City: Breathe 2012 its staff and your
volunteering role. To provide you with the induction and/or training you need to meet the responsibilities
of this role. This Volunteer Handbook provides full details of Diverse City: Breathe 2012.
2.
Supervision, support and flexibility
To explain the standards we expect and to support you to achieve and maintain them.
To provide a named person with whom you may discuss your volunteering and any successes or problems.
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3.
Health and safety
To provide adequate training and feedback in support of our health and safety policy, a copy of which is in
this Volunteer Handbook.
4.
Insurance
To provide adequate insurance to cover you whilst undertaking voluntary work approved and authorised
by us.
5.
Equal opportunities
To ensure that you are dealt with in accordance with our equal opportunities policy, a copy of which is
available from Diversecitylondon.org.
6.
Problems
To try to resolve fairly any problems, grievances or difficulties you may have while volunteering with us. In
the event of an unresolved problem, to offer an opportunity to discuss issues in accordance with the
procedures, a copy of which is available from Diversecitylondon.org.
This agreement is binding in honour only, is not intend to be a legally binding contract between us and may
be cancelled at any time at the discretion of either party. Neither of us intends any employment
relationship to be created either now or at any time in the future.
Signed on behalf of Breathe 2012:
Signature ___________________
Position Volunteer Co-ordinator
Name Kathryn Palmer
Date _____________________
Signed by volunteer __________________________________
Name (print): ________________________ Date
____________________
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Contacts
If you have any questions or problems, do not hesitate to contact any of us on the below information.
Kathryn Palmer – Volunteer Co-ordinator
kathryn.palmer12@gmail.com
07547724797
Rebecca Causon - Volunteer Co-ordinator
rebeccacauson@yahoo.co.uk
07816545867
Letitia Wilson – Volunteer Co-ordinator
Letitia-chloe@live.co.uk
07557090801
Becky Chapman – Diverse City: Breathe Project Manager
b.chapman@diversecitylondon.org
07952619763
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