Boss attacks centre's helpers
A group of volunteers for a Shropshire arts centre has been branded ageist, sexist, homophobic and racist by the woman who runs the venue. A group of volunteers for a Shropshire arts centre has been branded ageist, sexist, homophobic and racist by the woman who runs the venue. Paula Redway, Ludlow Assembly Rooms director, attacked the behaviour of a small group of helpers in a report and mediation experts from ACAS, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, were called in. Miss Redway said most volunteers were excellent but a few were difficult and needed to be retrained. The venue depends on volunteers for work such as box office, stewarding and administrative tasks. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Miss Redway said most volunteers were excellent but a few were difficult and needed to be retrained.
The venue depends on volunteers for work such as box office, stewarding and administrative tasks.
A small core has been criticised by Miss Redway in a report to consultants about the Ludlow Assembly Rooms Volunteer Project.
She wrote: "Some volunteers have a negative attitude towards training and development.
"Some volunteers are in dire need of diversity training but consider this to be unnecessary 'political correctness'.
"There have been undertones of ageism towards younger people, sexism, homophobia and racism.
"Customer care, especially towards children, is sometimes lacking. Some volunteers are very vocal in their objections occasionally even verging on bullying behaviour."
She added: "There have been incidents of volunteers ignoring instructions from and undermining the volunteer manager and director.
"Unexplained volunteering absences are now being queried but, as they have not previously been addressed, this has led to resentment."
Miss Redway said there were also difficulties between volunteers and people from the Friends of Ludlow Assembly Rooms, which raises cash for the centre.
Her report said: "Most volunteers are not paid up Friends and there are historical difficulties between these two factions."
Today Miss Redway said only a handful of volunteers had been problematic and there had been a positive response following the ACAS intervention.
The venue has 95 volunteers.
Jaelith Mahoney, the venue's volunteer manager, was unavailable for comment today.
The report will go to consultants who are assessing the volunteers at Ludlow Assembly Rooms.
By Andy Richardson
