Volunteering and training

Help make history

Throughout the past year WORLDwrite worked with over 100 volunteers on an epic feature-length documentary on the history of solidarity in the UK. This project won a small grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and support from the National Archives and has already won five awards! We are now preparing a major documentary project on the history of freedom in the UK for the year ahead.  If developing filmmaking skills or testing your existing skills while making an impact is of interest, then this is definitely for you. Read on for our latest package which involves shooting with us at the Battle of Ideas Festival.

Festival TV Makers– A Unique Autumn Package

Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or someone who’s never held a camera, we want you to be part of something special this autumn. Join us for an exclusive volunteer package that includes hands-on, face-to-face camera training and practice sessions, then filming the dynamic two-day Battle of Ideas Festival. The festival which takes seriously “conversations for the public, with the public, in public” never fails to engage and impress the several thousand who attend and with our videos, many more after the event. Over 100 debates and discussions at the festival cover an enormous range of issues in politics, economics, education, science and culture. With its motto ‘free speech allowed’ it provides much serious food for thought and vital discussion which is too rare these days. The festival weekend is fun, inspiring and much more and WORLDwrite are proud to have been media partners for this prestigious event ever since it started back in 2005.

This opportunity will result in the production of over 30 high-level debates, all captured for online distribution. And here’s the best part: every volunteer will be credited for their work and in the media world, credits are currency. You’ll also receive a festival pass that grants you access to all debates and we’ll cover local travel expenses. But that’s not all—you’ll also have the chance to join the WORLDwrite crew working on an ambitious documentary about the history of freedom in the UK. We’ll be promoting this new film project on our stall at the festival too. Don’t miss out on this exciting chance to develop your skills, enhance your CV, contribute to a major project, and be part of a passionate team. Scroll down for session dates and complete the short application at the bottom. No one is turned away, but don’t delay as places fill up fast!

Festival Package dates & sessions

Wednesday 2^nd October 7.30pm via Zoom: Festival TV Makers Introductory Event

Join us for an introduction to our Festival TV Makers package, where you’ll meet the dynamic team and connect with our new crew members. We’ll explore what it takes to be part of the creative force behind the scenes at the Battle of Ideas Festival. We’ll break down our latest volunteer package and give you an insider’s look at the role you could play in bringing this major event to life on screen. Whether you’re curious or committed, this is your chance to see if this is for you.

Saturday 5^th or Sunday 6^th October 10am-6pm: Face-To-Face Camera Training: Unleash Your Inner Filmmaker!

Get ready for an immersive, hands-on training experience that will set you up for success behind the camera. Volunteers will need to join us for ONE of these action-packed days, where you’ll dive into the essentials of working with WORLDwrite’s professional cameras, sound gear, and lighting. You’ll also learn the art of expertly choreographing live debate shoots, preparing you to capture every moment at the Battle of Ideas Festival. Don’t miss your chance to master the craft!

Tuesday 8^th, October, Wednesday 9^th October, Thursday 10^th October 2-4.30pm or 7-9.30pm each day. Debate Shooting Practice Sessions: Serious Skills, Serious Fun!

To gear up for the festival, all volunteers are required to attend at least two of these focused practice sessions. Here, you’ll sharpen your camera skills and learn to perform like a pro on the big weekend. It’s a great way to build expertise while having fun, ensuring you’re fully prepared to join the crew and capture the sharp minds on the panels and in the audience at the Battle of Ideas Festival.

Sunday 13^th October 10am -6pm Festival Logistics Day: Crucial Prep!

On this all-important logistics day, all WORLDwrite festival volunteers will come together to ensure we’re ready to roll. We’ll cover all the essential details, from room setups to site logistics, and you’ll team up with your crew, finalize rotas, and grab your official festival T-shirt. If time allows, we’ll even squeeze in a final setup practice. It’s a day of serious prep, but with plenty of camaraderie and a tasty lunch to keep up the energy.

Wednesday 16^th October 10-12.30, 2-4.30 or 7-9.30pm Film Gear Preparation: The Final Touches That Make It All Happen

Before the cameras start rolling, we need your help to ensure everything is set for success. Each volunteer needs to select ONE slot to join us for this crucial film gear preparation session. There’s plenty to do from final sound checks for all cables, battery checks to packing and labelling all the essential equipment. Every detail matters to make sure our kit is ready for the big event.

Saturday 19^th October & Sunday 20^th October 8am-7pm Filming at the Battle of Ideas Festival

Volunteers will need to be able to attend both full days as part of the crew to be at the heart of the action at the Battle of Ideas Festival. As a volunteer crew member, you’ll be part of an elite team capturing this extraordinary event on film over two exciting days. In addition to filming, you’ll have the unique opportunity to attend debates and sessions during your free time, immersing yourself in the festival’s vibrant atmosphere and challenging ideas. Your lunch and refreshments will be provided and we’ll cover local travel costs, so all you need to focus on is making the most of this experience and doing it justice. This is your moment to shine!

Wednesday 23^rd October 7.30pm Via Zoom “After the Battle of Ideas—What’s Next?”

At this essential follow-up Zoom meeting, we’ll dive into what comes next after the Battle of Ideas Festival. This is your chance to share your experiences, provide valuable feedback, and discuss key takeaways from the event. But that’s not all—you’ll be among the first to hear the latest on the charity’s ambitious new project: a groundbreaking documentary on the history of freedom. Your insights will help shape our work, and this meeting is the perfect opportunity to stay involved, use your newly honed skills and contribute to a film for public benefit. We’d like you to be part of the next chapter!

Read on to apply

We don’t need you to send us CVs, we do want you to understand this is voluntary work where content and ideas take precedence. At WORLDwrite, we tackle a wide array of issues, guided by the principles we advocate for as an education charity. These principles are championed on our channel, WORLDbytes, as well as through the documentaries and programmes we create.

We believe in:

• Democracy for all and the more direct the better
• Economic growth & serious development for all globally
• Challenging all forms of prejudice, anti-democratic and anti-human trends
• Freedom of speech and advancing civil liberties
• Challenging distrust, fear and intervention in everyday life
• Advancing new knowledge, ideas and critical thinking
• Global equality and equal rights for all

To take part in our ‘train & shoot’ package, complete the simple application form below. We will then confirm your place and ensure you get our monthly newsletter which may have additional opportunities.

Places fill up very fast, so don’t delay!