In the build up to BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, taking place on the 28th and 29th of May, Exeposé spoke to Angie Pitt, Outreach Manager for BBC Radio 1, to discuss the many opportunities for students and young people across Exeter and Devon. These opportunities are wide ranging, from volunteering with local charities, to engaging practical sessions with the BBC Academy, as well as some hands-on work placements at the Big Weekend itself!
The 1 Million Hours campaign was launched last December, with the aim to get 1 million hours worth of pledges to volunteering projects from young people. Ms Pitt explained that “when young people pledge to volunteer with a charity, we’re counting up those hours, aiming to get to a million by this December.” The project has recently passed 400,000 hours, putting it firmly on schedule for its target of one million. However, with the BBC coming down to Devon, it is the perfect time for the campaign to engage with local students and young people. Next week at the Exeter Phoenix from Tuesday 17 May to Saturday 21 May, there will a #1MillionHours stand explaining the benefits of the campaign, and providing an opportunity for potential volunteers to connect with local charities, highlighting all of the great stuff they are doing and where they need your help.
Next week at the Exeter Phoenix there will a #1MillionHours stand explaining the benefits of the campaign
The project is working with ten local charities – Animals in Distress, Bovey Tracy Youth Café, Esther House, Hannah’s at Seale-Hayne, Magic Carpet, Mare & Foal Sanctuary, Rowcroft Hospice, The Cave, WESC and Young Devon, that provide opportunities in “anything from DJ-ing, to gardening, to decorating, to clearing out horses stables – so all sorts of different activities!”.
For students, most of whom will be returning home in the summer months – don’t worry you can still get involved! The campaign is not finished until December, and each of the charities wants different kinds of volunteers to do different kinds of commitments. This means some shifts might just be a day of decorating, some might be an ongoing commitment, and some might be one evening a week for the next six months. Ms Pitt explained the benefits of students getting involved as they will be “learning new skills and gaining things to put on their CV. Whilst also giving something back really to the community their living in.” The information for the 1 Million Hours campaign can be found here.
there are loads of free tickets available for BBC Academy sessions
Also available from Tuesday 17 May to Saturday 21 May, there are loads of free tickets available for BBC Academy sessions. These sessions include practical workshops and Q&A sessions in radio, music, TV, business, social media and more. Big names will be there like Tinie Tempah and Jake Bugg, to a host of industry leaders, as well as Radio 1 DJs like Nick Grimshaw.
Linked to the BBC Academy, Ms Pitt also explained that they “have about 18 opportunities to work with the Radio 1 team at the Big Weekend” ranging from anything from artist liaisons, live music, to working with the Radio 1 broadcasting teams. This is a great chance for anyone who is interested in broadcasting or events management, to gain some practical experience. The website states that “to apply for a work placement at the Big Weekend you must attend a minimum of one Q&A session plus TWO workshops, and a visit to the careers hub, to fill your card.” To check out the timetable of these events, and to get tickets, go head to the website, but move quickly because tickets are going fast!
Ms Pitt stated that there is “a real buzz in the area” and the projects available are “about harnessing that good vibe and getting young people involved in their community, involved in the sessions, and applying for the work placements, because the Big Weekend doesn’t come to your hometown very often. So it’s worth making the most of it!”
