Volunteer with the Edinburgh Mela
We are looking for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers to join the Festival team on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August. If you can spare a few days and are looking for a fun, summer experience then read on to find out more...
Why volunteer?
You will be able to meet new people, build up your experience, share your skills and develop new skills, be involved behind-the-scenes in a major event and see some exciting shows.
What will I receive?
A volunteer training session, which will give you a chance to meet your volunteer colleagues.
Travel expenses to and from the Festival.
A meal per shift plus refreshments from our hospitality area.
An Edinburgh Mela team T-shirt and steward's jacket.
An Edinburgh Mela Programme
Free tickets to some of the Festival events.
An invitation to a volunteer thank you event.
You will be able to ask for a reference on successful completion of your volunteer post.
How long will each volunteer shift be?
Shifts will be between 3 to 7 hours in length and this will vary depending on the day and your volunteer role. You will have breaks during these shifts.
How old to I have to be?
You have to be 16 years old or over to apply.
How do I apply?
The first step is to read over the volunteer role descriptions below and choose which one you think would suit you best. Then please send in a letter or email including your CV with a contact telephone number of a referee, and a short covering note (stating your availability, role choice and why you think you would be suitable) to:
Karen Veitch,
The Edinburgh Mela, 5 Orwell Place, Edinburgh, EH11 2AD
Telephone: ++44(0)131 347 2600
Mobile: ++44(0)771 2625106
Email: volunteer@edinburgh-mela.co.uk
The deadline for applications is Thursday 31st July 2008.
What happens next?
If you are successful, then you will be invited in for a short, informal interview to talk more about the volunteer role. You MUST be available one of the following dates for this interview:
Tuesday 29th or Wednesday 30th July
Or Monday 4th or Tuesday 5th August
Each interview will last 15 to 20 minutes:
(please note that there will also be evening interview slots available)
After your interview you will be invited in for an obligatory training session, to be held in Edinburgh:
Artist Liaison Training Session: Monday 11th August, 6pm to 8pm
Audience Volunteers Training Session: Tuesday 12th August, 2 to 4pm OR 6 to 8pm
Volunteer Roles
Artist Liaison Volunteers
This role involved supporting the Festival artists with the following:
Welcoming artists,
Giving out ID passes,
Answering queries, responding to requests and giving directions,
Giving out Festival information,
Ensuring artists have correct information/ updating them with event changes,
Assisting with refreshments and food for artists,
Liaising between artists and production/ stage team,
Running duties.
For this role, you are required to volunteer as much as possible on both Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August.
Audience Services Volunteers
This is a varied role and you will be involved in all or some of the following areas:
Front of House: checking passes & tickets at the doors, issuing pass-out stamps,
keeping the fire exits clear of people
Stewarding: checking wristbands, giving directions & information,
Information Point: giving out Festival programmes, information & directions, welcoming Festival visitors,
Hospitality: ensure that the Festival hospitality area is kept clean & tidy,
Implementing Festival fire evacuation procedures.
For this role, you are required to volunteer on both Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August, morning/ afternoon or afternoon/ evening.
If you have any questions, please contact Karen Veitch or Navida Galbraith on the contact numbers/ email above. Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!
