By becoming one of our valued team members, you will get to work on a diverse range of creative projects, including documentaries, short films, fun YouTube videos and podcasts. You can expect to take part in all aspects of filmmaking, including supporting pre-production planning, camera, lighting, sound & editing.
Working with our students, who have a variety of different support needs, means a warm and friendly environment is essential within our space. An important part of your role is to engage with our students, so that they can be themselves and engage in the filmmaking process to the best of their ability, all with our support and guidance.
If you have a particular skill within the filmmaking process that you are looking to learn or develop e.g. camera or sound, we are happy to work with you on this and we are open to collaborations with our volunteers, if the idea is right and it works within our schedule.
We are currently in the process of promoting our first documentary Work Ltd Conquers Japan, about a cultural exchange trip we took our students to in Kobe, Japan. You may be asked to help with film festival entry materials, press releases etc.
We have a lot of exciting opportunities and there is something for everyone who has an interest in filmmaking and/or supporting adults with learning disabilities, differences and neurodiversity.
We are especially interested to hear from volunteers who would like to develop their editing skills and experience.
Overview of Project
We are a community-focused film and podcast production company, offering adults with learning disabilities, differences and neurodiversity opportunities to develop technical, organisational and social skills; creating professional content.
This Role Involves
We usually have multiple projects running at once, so the work our volunteers do will be varied and somewhat determined by the day/s they come to us, but all work will be related to filmmaking, podcasting with our students, whether it is working on pre-production, camera, lighting, sound or editing.
Location
The Innovation Centre - Sheffield City Centre
Skills/Experience Required
If you already have filmmaking skills, this is preferable. However, as long as volunteers are personable, hungry to learn and have a keen interest in filmmaking or working with adults with learning disabilities, differences and neurodiversity, we can provide a valuable experience for you.
Benefits to Others
By contributing to our team and our mission, you are enabling our students to develop confidence, communication skills and creativity. This helps them to feel part of the wider community, find their individual voices and to apply this to the rest of their lives.
We have already seen several students who once struggled with self confidence and speaking up, engage in the filmmaking process and flourish to the point where they now work with external managing directors in developing film ideas, ask questions at our film premier in front of 200 people and give tours of our studio to people they have never met before.
Benefits to the Volunteer
By volunteering with us, you will be part of something truly meaningful while making a positive difference in the lives of adults with learning disabilities, differences and neurodiversity. For anyone who has little or no previous experience in this area, volunteering provides a valuable opportunity to develop a greater understanding of different experiences, perspectives and ways of communicating. It can help you become more confident, patient, understanding and empathetic, while challenging assumptions and broadening your view of the world. Our students and staff share lots of laughter, smiles and memorable moments, and there is rarely a day when someone doesn’t have us all in fits of laughter! But alongside those moments of fun comes a real sense of purpose, achievement and connection. Whatever your time with us, we can be sure you leave with new skills, a broader perspective and an experience that stays with you.
Role Duration
Roles with us will be ongoing and can be catered towards the volunteer.
Time Commitment (hours Per week/month/year, etc)
Ideally 1 day every 1-2 weeks - we are adaptable.
Training Information
Volunteers will be shown how to use filmmaking equipment as and when this becomes necessary to a project.
Volunteers will not be left alone in a room with students. Staff will always be on hand to answer any questions volunteers may have regarding supporting students. Students will observe how staff interact with and support students, both generally and when issues arise.
Expenses Information
We will cover "reasonable" transport costs i.e. public transport. Lunch is to be brought by volunteers, unless otherwise stated.
DBS required?
A DBS is required. The cost will be covered by us.