My job: 'I look forward to going into work'

Oct 1 2008 Surrey Herald

Name: Loretta Howells Age: 59 Job: Director of Elmbridge arts charity the R C Sherriff Trust Lives: Streatham, South London

How did your charity get started and what does it do?

Robert Cedric Sherriff, the playwright, who was famous for writing the play Journey's End, lived in a house called Rosebriars in Esher until his death in 1975, when he left Rosebriars to Elmbridge Borough Council for social and cultural purposes. The sale of property established the R C Sherriff Trust. We award grants to schools to help them improve their art departments and we also promote literature festivals from time to time. The charity also support local artists . During the summer we have arts activities workshops for children, giving them the opportunity to make music and reads poems and short stories.

How did you get involved in the job?

I ran a theatre company in London for 25 years, then I saw this job advertised. It appealed to me because it focuses on a broad range of arts activities, rather than just the theatre. I wanted to develop my arts knowledge. I've worked for Elmbridge Arts Charity for five years now.

What are the best and worst aspects of the job?

I'd have to say there aren't any bad aspects! I look forward to going into work every day. The best part is when I see people take part in community art events for the first time. Its' great to see the pleasure they take from doing something new.

Is your job stressful?

I don't really get stressed, but when we get busy with lots of projects and grant deadlines, I'd like to call it manageable stress!

What art events do you have coming up?

We have the Festival of Light in Walton on November 21, where schools and community groups produce beautiful lanterns and make sculptures. Children from the schools also come along with their own samba bands.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to work with art societies?

Get as much experience as possible, even if its just starting out as a volunteer. Skills such as organisation, publicity and handling finance issues are vital to learn. Take any job you can get because it gets very competitive.