At the heart of Bradford Literature Festival (BLF) is our vibrant volunteering programme, which has become instrumental in nurturing skills, fostering opportunities, and enriching the city of Bradford.
With the dedicated contribution of over 120 volunteers during the 2023 festival, a total of 1,337 hours were given to ensure the success and delivery of the festival. It’s not just about the numbers, it’s truly about the incredible impact our volunteers have on the community and the festival itself. So we wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to make Bradford Litertaure Festival the success that it was.
Celebrating Community and Togetherness
BLF’s diverse volunteer community fosters connections with people from all walks of life, instilling a strong sense of community and togetherness. After this year’s festival we asked our volunteers shared their experiences of working with people from different backgrounds and age groups, emphasising the impact of the festival on their sense of belonging. By engaging with new people and being part of the festival, our volunteers have not only developed employment skills that will prove invaluable for their next role, but they made new connections that could lead to more opportunities in the future.
“I met people from different backgrounds… it gave a sense of togetherness.”
“Volunteering gave me a great chance to meet different people from different backgrounds. I got the chance to engage with the public and see a variety of world class speakers, academics and artists.”
What sets our volunteers programme apart is not just their commitment to the festival; it’s also their love for the team and their passion for celebrating the city of Bradford. It’s no wonder that many of our volunteers go on to become Ambassadors for BLF, further enriching the cultural sector in Bradford and instilling a sense of pride for the city.
Diverse Roles and Responsibilities
With so many different ways to get involved, our volunteers gain first-hand experience by contributing to the seamless execution of the festival. This year, volunteers took up roles including:
• Festival Runners: A fast paced and varied role, supporting our Production Team with the day-to-day operations of the festival.
• Workshop Assistants: Assisting in our creative workshops, supporting visitors to create art pieces to be proud of.
• Venue Assistants: Interacting with people from all walks of life, ensure that visitors of the festival are having a fun, safe and organised experience.
• Guest and Green Room Assistants: Helping with the care of high-profile speakers, festival partners, publishers and members of the press.
• Stage Assistants: Seeing how the festival experience unfolds from backstage – supporting our Events Team to prepare festival speakers for their events, assist with stage set up and ensure the event runs smoothly.
If you’re thinking about volunteering with us then rest assured, our dedicated volunteers receive support every step of the way. As our volunteers state:
“Volunteering alongside skilled and friendly people really made the experience worthwhile. There was an immense level of support and help from everyone I worked alongside!”
“I had a great volunteering experience and felt supported and well guided by all BLF staff. I was also very happy to work in my assigned role and get the chance to help out at different venues.”
Training and Development Opportunities
Through our volunteering programme, individuals have the opportunity to develop their employability skills, bridge gaps in their CV, explore pathways into the arts, build lasting connections and boost their self-esteem and confidence. The resounding endorsement to the scheme’s impact is that 100% of volunteers would recommend volunteering at BLF, highlighting BLF’s offer as a rewarding and fulfilling experience for all participants.
At BLF we endeavour to make the most of our volunteers’ potential and interests. If you have a love for poetry, you could work backstage on our Poetry with a Punch night and have the chance to meet renowned poets from across the world. If you dream of a career in childcare, then working at our Baby Rave events will give you something unique to add to your CV. If you’re someone who loves to chat, then you could be great at engaging and welcoming our customers. Whatever your strengths, we’re keen to help you use your skills and experience to the best of your abilities.
Whether you’ve got two hours to spare, a couple of days, or even a couple of weeks, our flexible volunteering opportunities cater to your schedule.