Volunteering at Fact!

Image from: http://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/2013/02/fact-to-celebrate-its-tenth-birthday-on-23-february/

Hi there!

So last week I had my training day at FACT, most people don't really know what fact is all about, like me *guilty until a friend told me she was volunteering. What I found out was more than I expected: not only are they a  Liverpool based cinema but they also produce a visual and technology representation of art which to me I was completely oblivious because I've always been taught traditional art from Renaissance to Baroque to Victorian etc...Their exhibition led programmes and public led workshops with real artists are some of the things that I learnt while visiting a few weeks back.

What I found interesting on the day was the technology that we 'volunteers' and the public could come in and use! We were shown how to use 3-D printers so we could then use that knowledge to talk to the public about it. The exhibitions that are currently up and running are BUILD YOUR OWN: TOOLS FOR SHARING which covers a wide range of projects lead by artists, makers, creative technologists and collectives that have come here to show the public how to create different things from Rachel Rayns 'Neurotic Machines' (2015) that has created a set of robot gardening systems that monitor plants light activity, temperature, humidity and feeding. This little robot was a fun way for me to find out what buttons to press and what I thought was a good way to nurture my garden in order for me to see whether or not my garden would survive...Unfortunately some of them didn't. I would recommend anyone to come down and see what Fact is all about, the staff are friendly, the exhibitions are all interactive and most of all its FREE! Unless you want to go the cinema.

Now I know people who have doubts about what to do this summer but if your anything like me to just go with the flow and see what it brings then I say just do it! Doubts like whether you should do it, will I get paid?, I'd rather go on holiday instead of working my summer vibe and most of all if people can be assed? *pardon my language

Why I chose to volunteer?

At this stage of finishing my first year I want to gain as much career experience as possible because I now have a clear idea of what I want to do. People who know me know that I've tried everything to find out what I want to do, do I or do I not go to university? Will it be worth it? What if I don't like it? What job should I get? I don't know what I want to do? Basically I just fling myself into situations and hope for the best.

So why I chose to volunteer...career experience was the biggy but now for me is just to get out there see how things go, get experience! and make friends whilst doing it. I've come to know the best people throughout my one too many jobs and its always rewarding.

Now I know you don't get paid and that could be a downfall for most students and young people but you never know it could always lead onto something else...maybe a permanent position. 

Fact seems like a friendly place to work overall, the team are really nice and to think what I can get involved in is just as good. Hopefully I start my shift next week :) until then i'll keep you updated on my other jobs.

Nads :)