A good idea for me, and perhaps you?

Battery of Ideas Volunteer Roy Hawkins, shared with Lowestoft Lowdown what it’s like to volunteer at Lowestoft’s newest arts space…

A great big pink squid. Not what you expect to see in the window of an empty shop building in London Road North. But why not? It certainly attracts attention - amusement and bewilderment - from children and adults alike.

A good idea was sending an email in response to an advertisement I read in Lowdown magazine. I applied to be a Volunteer with The Battery of Ideas. I have been working in the presence of that squid since March. His name is Archie. I know for some it can be difficult to offer to volunteer. I could not walk through a strange door on an Open Day, or make a telephone call to a stranger. Too intimidating. But sending an email and then arranging to meet someone I had communicated with was much easier.

Kate Flurrie, Volunteer Co-Ordinator, replied to my application and invited me in to check I was for real. Quite right too. I love being in that space with Archie, where I have been involved with a theatre group setting up an event for children and adults, a music performance including a Japanese throat singer, and an art exhibition. Meeting new people and chatting about all sorts of things.

The Battery of Ideas has taken over the shop building, previously rented by Tesco. As their website (firstlightfestivalcic.com/batteryofideas) explains this is part of the First Light Festival Community Interest Company which has provided so much pleasure (and generated huge income for Lowestoft) since 2019. It “... is designed to fire up ideas, enthusiasm and involvement in the new Cultural Quarter development in Lowestoft town centre, to grow public awareness and engagement in the Quarter and create a step change in creative production and cultural participation in the town.

” The ‘Cultural Quarter’ is Battery Green, the area adjacent to the Marina Theatre which is part of the East Suffolk Council led regeneration of the town centre for retail and leisure. The varied, growing and mostly free programme of activities means the The Battery of Ideas provides entertainment, the opportunity to indulge interests, develop new skills and manage health issues.

It seems to me people in Lowestoft enjoy entertainment, arts, crafts and all kinds of ‘culture’, in the very broadest sense, without very much discussing or advertising that interest. I recently spoke to a group about The Battery of Ideas during which we ‘virtually’ walked through the town listing some of the places people meet for such activities:

The Seagull Theatre, Milestones Jazz Club at the Hatfield Hotel, The East Coast Cinema, The East Point Pavilion, The Library, The Lowestoft Players Theatre, The Marina Theatre, The Mayfly Cafe. And we will soon add to that list Messums East at the former Post Office and the Town Hall.

One person at that group asked if people needed all this? My only answer was: “We shall see” and the fact that in recent years there has been a growth in such activities e.g. the redevelopment of the East Point Pavilion for craft and performance events, the establishment of The Sunrise Film Festival and the opening of The Mayfly Cafe, a venue for exhibitions by local artists, film showings, music and culinary events, complete with community garden.

People of all ages volunteer, why is that? I thought I could contribute knowledge, skills and enthusiasm for this venture, which I believe to be a positive addition to the town. Staff at The Battery of Ideas have identified other reasons why people volunteer such as: to gain confidence and self esteem, learn and improve useful skills, meet people and make friends, work experience that looks good on a CV and to improve mental wellbeing.

I have not asked my neighbour why they have volunteered to organise a local ramblers group. Or an ex-colleague why they volunteer to coordinate a self-help group for people living with a neurological condition. But I do know a young, hard working family man who tells me he gets huge satisfaction from managing an under 11 football team. Supporting children to partake in healthy exercise, whilst building their confidence and social skills. What better use of time?

Could you volunteer to benefit yourself and others? It is a good idea, as is The Battery of Ideas. Keep an eye on Archie and what is happening around him.

Roy Hawkins