Back to the future supplement

Volunteer today for tomorrow Volunteering isn't only about doing good. It doesn't have to mean spending hours in a charity shop, or helping OAPs with their shopping. You can volunteer doing something you're really passionate about, whatever that may be.

This supplement features the stories of people who did just that at Exposure, and ended up doing something they love for a living.

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Louisa Avgousti Print & events manager "Volunteering may be the most important part of securing the career you want" London’s employers report significant concerns about literacy, team work and communication skills in potential employees. These skills are all developed with volunteering I started volunteering at Exposure when I was about 18. I stayed for about two years.

Being involved with Exposure helped by giving me the opportunity to make contacts in the media industry, practice and develop my skills before going into the real world of TV. I also made life-long friends, and used my skills to help others.

I developed my CV, and learnt how to use industry standard creative software. I gained so many skills that have since helped me in my career!

Exposure also helped me realise that a job in the media was for me and that it was achievable. Now I manage a print company and run 'Cyprus Taste Tours', giving tourists a taste of the island's cuisine.

Volunteering may be the most important part of securing the career you want. It allows you to experience an industry with no pressure attached. When you’re A screen grab of Louisa's website

getting paid to work, it means you have to focus on the job you’ve been hired for. You might miss out on the chance to see what else is involved with the industry you’re interested in. During a placement, you might come across an area of the industry that you weren’t aware of… and because you’re working for free it’s feasible to ask your boss to try out that area and gain more valuable experience. You might find the dream job you never knew existed!

Companies don’t always have job openings but if you’re offering to help out for free it’s unlikely they’ll say no. Then when it is time for them to hire – if you did a good job – they will contact you for the role. And if they aren’t hiring but a fellow company is they’re likely to pass on your details.

Volunteering also looks great on your CV – it shows that you are hard working and willing to make sacrifices in order to learn and develop your skills. Who wouldn’t want to hire someone like that?

Jasmine Richards Editor and author "I gained confidence in my skills as a writer, and the project showed me directly that hard work pays off" 94% of employees who volunteered to learn new skills benefited by either getting their first job, improving their salary, or being promoted I came across Exposure magazine while I was at Hornsey School for Girls about 15 years ago. English was my favourite subject and so I loved the idea of getting a chance to write articles and see my words in print.

The other novel is Oliver Twisted, the story of Oliver Twist but with dark elements including zombies, vampires and werewolves – it was so much fun to write but I kind of scared myself!

I learnt how to think about what your reader wants and what they might like to learn. I also learnt how to work in a team, what it is like to meet a deadline, and how to take feedback on my writing. All these things have been incredibly useful in my life going forward.

When you’re volunteering, be a sponge, pick up as much as you can. Understand that the skills you are learning now can and will help you in your endeavours in the future.

Aim high! Know that you have the smarts to achieve whatever you want.

I made good friends during my time at Exposure. I gained confidence in my skills as a writer, and the project showed me directly that hard work pays off. I knew that if I had laboured on an article I would get printed.

Now I write books for children and teenagers, as well as working in publishing as an editor of fiction. I have two books being published next year. The first is called The Book of Wonders, which is about a young girl called Scheherazade who has to go on a quest filled with magic to save her sister and draws on inspiration from Arabian Nights. You'll even get to meet Sinbad!

It takes hard work but you are the master of your own destiny. Never think that anyone else is in charge of your future except you.

Phoebe Swan Illustrator "I received a lot of encouragement from Exposure. They were people that believed in me and gave me a platform for my art" I got involved with Exposure over 10 years ago! I was about 16. I was able to explore my growing interest in illustration and was given the opportunity to have artwork published. It was the first place I’d used a computer, and I learnt a lot of design skills such as how to scan and use Photoshop to edit images, as well as basic website building skills. I also learnt about working with others as part of a creative team.

I received a lot of encouragement from Exposure. They were people that believed in me and gave me a platform for my art. The project also helped me to decide to study Illustration at university. Also my published work went towards the portfolio I needed to get into art college.

Now I divide my time as a teaching assistant in a Hackney primary school and working as an artist. I'm currently painting commissioned murals for restaurants in central London.

Exposure was one of several experiences in my life that helped me during the transition from teenager to adult. I feel very lucky to have had somewhere to go other than school and work, where you are mostly told what to do by figures of authority.

I felt valued and respected as an equal there, which was hugely beneficial to my self-confidence.

My advice to people is to do what you love doing. Education and employment are all very well but some of the best things in life are free, and it has been by volunteering on projects or putting myself out there and doing what I love that has given me invaluable experience. I painted several murals for friends for free before getting paid commissions. Don't give up at the first rejection or disappointment; you never know what's just around the corner. It’s not always easy to believe in yourself but being surrounded by others who do helps!

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Sophia Leonie Actress/Teacher

"Exposure was great fun, and it helped me get into university where I studied Media & Cultural Studies" I was in year 10 when I did a two-week work experience placement at Exposure. I ended up volunteering for a further three years.

I learnt how to research and write relevant articles. I learnt how to conduct interviews and shape them to fit an article. I reviewed films and other events.

I also participated in making short films and I presented an ITV programme called 'Your Shout' where I talked about Exposure's aims and achievements.

Exposure was great fun and it helped me get into university where I studied Media & Cultural Studies. I went on to do work experience at MTV, and I worked at an online magazine. Eventually I went on to train to teach English & Media studies.

Exposure helped me develop as it introduced me to an industry that I have always worked in. Like Exposure, I also passionately believe in helping young people from all backgrounds to achieve,

which is why I got into teaching. I teach in Haringey and always encourage my students who enjoy media or writing to get involved with Exposure. This is why I’m disgusted at the government cuts affecting youth services. These cuts are unnecessary and unfair to young people.

Get involved in Exposure, and enjoy the experience. Use them to make contacts for whatever aspect of the industry you want to get into when you leave school. Contact people and do more work experience in the related job. The more experience you have the better, even with formal qualifications.

Phoebe working on a mural

In flight

Barry McDonald Photographer "My experience at Exposure made me grow up quicker: I got the opportunity to do things other kids my age wouldn’t be doing" 70% of people working in the creative and media fields found their job through informal routes I got involved when I was about 13. I saw Exposure magazine and really liked it and answered an advert looking for new contributors.

Examples of Barry's work below

I wrote articles and reviews mainly.

I started getting into photography later on. I learnt about all areas of the magazine, even layout stuff. If you kept your eyes and ears open there were always people to learn from.

Exposure gave me a stronger idea of what I wanted to do in college and university, and finally in my career.

And now I’m a freelance photographer; I shoot portraits and live music mostly.

My experience at Exposure made me grow up quicker: I got the opportunity to do things other kids my age wouldn’t be doing. I learnt how to interact with people. I was very immature when I first started and having to deal with adults and meetings full of lots of people from different backgrounds made me more aware of how little I really knew about most things.

Young people at Exposure should make the most of what they have and not let opportunities pass them by. If they have the chance to learn and get work published before leaving school they should grab it with both hands, few will have that experience at such a young age.

Clive Bell (crop)

The Charlatans

Paul Weller

Florence Codjoe Development officer/Scriptwriter "Volunteering gives you a chance to explore what you really want to do in life before fully committing yourself to a job" 38% of people working in the media had done voluntrary work to build up their experience and contacts in the industry I started volunteering at Exposure when I was 19. I volunteered for another year.

Exposure helped me get through university. When I started my course I realised that I would be spending the next three years reading and writing essays rather than having hands on experience in the media.

I came to Exposure to find that balance. I found the stuff I was studying at uni. very interesting but it wasn’t really what I wanted to do.

I wanted to be a film director and Exposure gave me my first taste of directing a film… one that I myself had written. However I was also able to realise that directing wasn’t for me either. If I hadn’t come to Exposure I would have spent three years at university

chasing a dream I never really wanted.

Instead I realised that I love to write, and decided that was what I wanted to do.

Volunteering at Exposure helped me develop communication and organisational skills, as well as many more, which led to me being employed as a Video Assistant.

Five years later and I am employed as Exposure’s Development Officer.

Volunteering is very important because it gives you a chance to explore what you really want to do in life before fully committing yourself to a job that may not be for you.

You are also able to gain skills that will be vital for your career, which many employers are not willing to teach new beginners.

94% of employers believe that volunteering adds to people's skills

I am Tetsuo

Angha (crop)

Gary Flavell Editor of Exposure magazine Getting good GCSE or A Level results is brilliant. But in the words of legendary comedian Chris Rock, ‘that’s what you’re s’posed to do'. You’re supposed to do well, and if you believe the newspapers exams are getting easier and everyone is getting good grades anyway. Essentially your qualifications mean less because more people are doing well at school.

the pack is by volunteering. I can hear your groans from here. It’s true though.

Without joininng Exposure when I was 15 and putting three years volunteering there I wouldn’t have been able to attend university (I didn’t even get good grades!) and I certainly wouldn’t be the editor of Exposure, the multi-award winning magazine now.

The only way to separate yourself from

Exposure is open to all young people between the ages of 13 and 19 If you’re looking for a career in the media, or just want your voice heard, there really is no other place you should be. Get in contact now Call Exposure on or email

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