Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Kendal Calling for Events Management students
The team worked in a variety of roles at the festival, which took place from Thursday 30 July to Sunday 2 August: from volunteer runners to paid professionals looking after artists. Two first years were also recruited by tutor Dr Roxy Robinson to help co-ordinate a brand new Arts Council-funded area.
Helen Cawsey, who graduated this summer from our University and is now working full time in artist liaison after starting volunteering at festivals with last year’s Kendal Calling, commented: “I was working in artist accreditation so we were welcoming the artists, showing them where to park and how to get to the campsite, putting them in touch with people and getting them their wristbands. I worked at Kendal Calling last year and loved it so much that as soon as the volunteering came up again this year I straight away asked to do the same role. It’s been great, the majority of us were the same team as last year with two new faces, so we already mostly knew each other.
“The highlight for me was getting to see the Vaccines from behind them on the stage. From volunteering last year, which was my first festival, I’ve now worked at about ten festivals which is what I want to do and I can’t wait to get to my next one. I’ve met so many people from starting off at Kendal Calling last year. Now that I’ve graduated, I’m planning on finishing this year’s festival season before getting work over the winter in the dance music scene in Manchester.”
Anna Green, who worked with Roxy to co-ordinate the Arts Council-funded area of the festival, added: “I have learnt so much in such a short space of time, developing my confidence, self-belief and vital skills for events work. It gave me such a key insight into how an event is structured, how problems can arise ALL the time, helping me to think on my feet, how important clear communication is and to remember to just have fun while working. After a year of being in the classroom learning, it was such a great opportunity to see it all put together.”
Roxy, who works as a Creative Co-ordinator at Kendal Calling as well as lecturing in the UK Centre for Events Management (UKCEM) here at our University, said: "It was fantastic to see first year students through to graduate UKCEM students putting their Events Management qualifications to practice at Kendal Calling this year. From Helen Cawsey, Anna Green and Ethan McNamara doing an excellent job in artist accreditation and liaison roles, to Cole Procter DJing the Woodlands Stage at a moment’s notice, this was an exciting though challenging experience for all."
Volunteer Manager at Kendal Calling, Kirsty Pearson, added: "I was consistently impressed by the commitment, positive attitude and creativity that Events Management students from Leeds Beckett University brought to the festival. My own assistant, Sarah Short, was a UKCEM student and a wonderful addition to the team. She was trustworthy and I knew she could rise to any challenge. Based on their performance this year, the festival directors and I will continue to offer experience to students from Leeds Beckett in 2016 and beyond, and we hope to attract many more to the fields next year."