VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - EVENTS - WORK EXPERIENCE
Charity event
Level 3 nail technician - VTCT
Students volunteered at a charity event, applying the skills they had gained from their Level 3 Nail Technician VTCT qualification to provide nails, glitter tattoos, and other treatments. The event supported a young person with terminal cancer by helping create a memorable prom night. Learners demonstrated professionalism, creativity, and empathy while working in a real-world setting. This experience supports Gatsby Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers), Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers and employees), and Benchmark 6 (experiences of workplaces), allowing learners to apply vocational skills, develop employability, and gain insight into working in supportive, client-focused environments.
Photographer
Learners collaborated with a professional photographer to create makeup looks inspired by Disney villains. This project opened up insight into a range of potential career paths, from working in creative industries with photographers to developing skills for children’s events such as face painting and themed parties. The experience encouraged learners to combine technical ability with creativity while adapting to different client needs. This activity supports Gatsby Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers), Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers and employees), and Benchmark 6 (experiences of workplaces), giving learners valuable industry context and transferable employability skills.
Real life clients
As part of their qualification, students carried out professional hand and arm massages within a live salon environment, working with real clients from the community. This opportunity allowed them to apply their classroom learning in a practical setting, building confidence in client care, communication, and professional standards. Learners developed transferable skills such as time management, teamwork, and customer service while gaining valuable industry insight. This activity reflects Gatsby Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers) and Benchmark 6 (experiences of workplaces), as it provided authentic, hands-on experience that supports future progression into employment or further training within the beauty sector.
The Prosthetics event
Students had the privilege of attending an industry event in Birmingham, where they observed keynote speakers @makeuphag and @mikemekash, learning firsthand about their careers in makeup for TV, film, and editorial projects. The event offered insight into the makeup industry, showcasing new products, techniques, and career opportunities, and inspiring learners to develop their own professional ambitions in SFX, prosthetics, and high-end makeup. This experience supports Gatsby Benchmark 2 (learning from labour market information), Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers), and Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers and employees), helping learners build industry awareness and practical insight.
HAF - Outreach
Half term summer workshops
Over the summer, young people have taken on leadership roles within our programmes, helping them develop confidence, transferable skills, and valuable experience for their future progression. Supporting with the HAF programmes and working with children and young people.
Miss world - London
Level 3 media makeup artistry - VTCT
Students had the opportunity to attend the Miss World event in London, a global beauty pageant that celebrates talent, charity, and cultural representation, where Piers Morgan, Peter Andre, and Lulu were in attendance. Over three days, students worked in a fast-paced environment to create glamorous makeup looks suitable for TV and film. This was a voluntary work experience opportunity, allowing learners to develop professional skills, time management, and creativity in a high-profile setting.
UMAE - united makeup artist expo
Level 3 media makeup artistry - VTCT
Students attended UMAE, a leading makeup expo, where they had the opportunity to create outstanding high-fashion and SFX looks. The event provided invaluable real-world experience, allowing learners to work alongside industry professionals, including TV and film makeup experts, and engage with brands. Guest speakers and professional talks offered insight into career pathways and sector expectations. This experience supports Gatsby Benchmark 2 (learning from labour market information), Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers), and Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers and employees), helping learners develop skills, confidence, and industry awareness.
Professional beauty Belfast
Staff and students attended Professional Beauty Belfast to explore the latest products and gain insight into industry training opportunities. The event allowed learners to engage with brands and professionals, broadening their understanding of the wider beauty sector and inspiring potential career pathways. This experience supports Gatsby Benchmarks 2 and 4, by helping learners learn from labour market information and linking curriculum learning to real-life careers.
For the love of horror comic con
Level 3 media makeup artistry - VTCT
Students attended For the Love of Horror – Comic Con in Manchester, taking on a variety of roles. One key responsibility was preparing the zombies for the Scare Maze, applying makeup and prosthetics to bring the characters to life in a fun, fast-paced, and creative environment. This was a brilliant volunteer opportunity for the students to use their skills gained on the qualification to get experience within a special effects role.
Shaune Harrison - Film set
Level 3 media makeup artistry - VTCT
* THIS IS SFX AND NOT REAL!
This experience gave learners a real “on set” feel as they worked closely with the cast and crew, creating and maintaining makeup looks, applying special effects, and touching up throughout filming. Learners gained practical skills, developed professionalism, and experienced a fast-paced production environment. This activity supports Gatsby Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers), Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers and employees), and Benchmark 6 (experiences of workplaces), providing hands-on insight into the film and special effects makeup industry.
Dark Skye crew photo! A huge thank you to @photosimonwebb for the pictures, and to our amazing crew, including @garthmaunders, @nicol2holt, @robert.shacklady.dop, @gemma_clk, @ellisaudio, Cameron, Bob, James, James Kirk, Phil, and @emmajaynelavin.
Family horror maze - Blackpool
Level 3 media makeup artistry - VTCT
* THIS IS SFX AND NOT REAL!
A group of students volunteered at a holiday park, gaining valuable experience in customer service, time management, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. This hands-on opportunity allowed learners to apply skills directly linked to their curriculum and work experience, reinforcing employability competencies. The experience supports Gatsby Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers), Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers and employees), and Benchmark 6 (experiences of workplaces), helping students develop confidence, practical skills, and insight into working life.
Comic con - Manchester
Level 3 media makeup artistry - VTCT
Former students returned to work at a Comic Con event, applying the skills they gained during their course in special effects makeup, SFX, and character creation. They contributed to creating zombie and horror looks, collaborating with the event team and industry professionals to deliver high-quality results. This experience allowed learners to develop practical skills, teamwork, creativity, and professionalism in a live, fast-paced environment. It supports Gatsby Benchmark 4(linking curriculum learning to careers), Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers and employees), and Benchmark 6(experiences of workplaces), providing valuable insight into the entertainment and SFX makeup industries.
Girls empowerment - Outreach
Half term summer workshops
The girls’ involvement in supporting the empowerment workshops through event planning and idea brainstorming is brilliant because it demonstrates genuine ownership and engagement. By contributing their own ideas and taking an active role, they are not only developing key transferable skills such as teamwork, organisation, and communication but are also building their confidence and recognising that their voices have value.
This hands-on approach allows them to experience empowerment in practice, rather than simply being taught about it, and encourages peer-to-peer support where girls uplift and inspire each other.
Their active participation also increases motivation and investment in the success of the workshops, creating a stronger sense of community and shared purpose.
Casualties union
Level 3 media makeup artistry - VTCT
* THIS IS SFX AND NOT REAL!
Students had the unique opportunity to participate in a staged crash on the M62, organised by the fire, police, and ambulance services as part of a training exercise. The event aimed to help emergency services respond more quickly and safely, particularly in relation to the new smart motorways. Our students attended as part of their work experience, applying skills learned from their Level 3 Makeup qualification to create realistic bruises, wounds, fractures, and other injuries. This hands-on experience allowed them to put their industry-ready skills into practice in a professional setting, in collaboration with the Casualties Union. The event was widely covered in the media, highlighting both the training initiative and the students’ involvement (Manchester Evening News article).
This experience supports Gatsby Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers), Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers and employees), and Benchmark 6 (experiences of workplaces), giving learners practical insight into real-world professional settings and developing transferable employability skills.
Spooky world - Warrington
Level 3 media makeup artistry - VTCT
* THIS IS SFX AND NOT REAL!
A group of students had the privilege of gaining work experience as they volunteered at Spooky World in Warrington. They were thrown in at the deep end, tasked with following a brief set by the head makeup artist, and had to think quickly and creatively under pressure. The fast-paced environment was fun, exciting, and, of course, spooky, providing them with invaluable hands-on experience in a professional setting. Students applied their skills in special effects makeup, prosthetics, and character design, working alongside industry professionals and learning how to manage time, teamwork, and client expectations. This experience not only boosted their technical abilities but also gave them a real insight into working in a high-pressure, creative industry, preparing them for future roles in film, theatre, and events.