The Maccabees are headlining vinspired Lake of Stars this year, and I was asked to go along and check them out - guest list tickets and an aftershow party's not at all bad for a night's work!
Not only did I get to see The Maccabees last night at Brixton Academy (fab venue for a fab gig), but I got to take my bestest buddy along with me - all through volunteering with vinspired Lake of Stars - aren't I a lucky girl?!
I've been volunteering for vinspired Lake of Stars as Media Co-ordinator for about six weeks now, and am massively excited to be going out to Malawi for the festival this year, where I'll be volunteering doing shifts in the Festival Control Office and with our PR team.
My UK role prior to the festival day-to-day is very varied - from blogger to press officer, doing anything from PR to reviewing events - and I love what I do. But more importantly on a personal level, volunteering has opened doors to me to help me build my future career.
I am a trained (yet sadly unemployed) journalist, struggling to find work in the current economic climate. The experience that vinspired Lake of Stars is offering me is invaluable - I'm gaining contacts and advice from industry professionals that money can't buy.
But aside from that, I get to attend awesome gigs like The Maccabees, who played a storming set at the Brixton Academy, and I get to spend a couple of weeks in Malawi, an amazing and beautiful country, learning my trade all the while.
I would recommend volunteering to anyone - the opportunities it can offer you are endless. Volunteering for a music festival in Africa was never part of my game plan, but I'm so glad I've done it. Aside from helping me out on a professional level, my mates and I got the chance to hang out with The Maccabees - score!
If you're 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunites on vinspired.com
Words and photos by: Rosie Ponting (vinspired volunteer, Media Co-ordinator and Festival Control Manager)
