Whether it's stewarding at a festival, writing for a magazine, or producing works of art, volunteering for creative projects is bound to get those juices flowing.

All | Carl | Catherine | Rhiannon | Mei | Gaby | Enlight Youth Group | Centrepoint

Saturday Jun 12, 2010

We're setting up a magazine!

The last thing I wanted to do as a volunteer was paperwork. I do enough of that in my day job to last me a lifetime. So when the other volunteers at Wilton began talking about a meeting to discuss a funding bid, I wasn't overjoyed. That is, until I found out what it was for.

This week, all the volunteers, Sheila (who runs the club) and I have sat down to put together an application for money that will enable us to create a magazine for the young people, and a proper music project. Brilliant! As a trained journalist, it's exactly what I want to do. So putting a few hours into a document now will be completely worth the reward if we get the money. I can't wait!

A magazine is something Helen, who is the volunteer coordinator, has wanted to do for some time. We want to get some Mac Books so we can do proper design work, digital cameras, dictaphones – everything the young people need to become journalists. If we only get a little money, then we'll publish the magazine online. But if we get more, then we can actually print and distribute issues around the local area. It's a great way to improve the image of young people and integrate the estate into the community. It's also incredibly beneficial to the young people, who will learn new skills and have something to show for themselves when they're applying for jobs or education courses.

I'm also quite relieved that I can work on something I really know about. The plan to do drama workshops would have worked out, but I would have had to do a lot of research. Whereas this is something I'm truly passionate about and know exactly how it will work. I really hope we get the money, because young people are so creative and have such good ideas - I know they could produce something original and engaging.

Because I've never set up a publication before, I decided to get some help from an expert. I spoke to Andy, who set up Haringey's award-winning youth publication, Exposure. Andy gave me some excellent advice and invited me to visit their offices. I'll definitely take up his offer as it will be invaluable to see how they operate. The organisation has been going since 1996, and in that time has published over 100 copies of the magazine. Pretty impressive.

The bid took ages to write, and it was all thanks to Joe (who is one of the musicians at the club) that it was completed on time. His ideas for the music project would really transform what the young people can do. He wants to get new instruments, production software and, thankfully, soundproof one of the rooms at the centre. Definitely something we need! We have to wait six weeks for the results of our application - fingers crossed...

So I'm really enthusiastic about Wilton at the moment, and my experiences as a volunteer so far show that it opens up massive opportunities. I've met some great people, we've got a great plan, and if we get the money, I'll be able to teach young people how to be journalists. There's nothing I'd rather be doing with my spare time.

Posted by GabyJ ( 12:00 AM )
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