FAQs

What is Experience Work?

Experience Work (EW) is a social enterprise helping young people from under-represented backgrounds access Year 10 work experience placements within the television and film industry. It has been set up to make the experience fruitful for the kids and the companies by ex-English teacher, Keely Wilson.

Your role! Why become an Experience Work Host?

Industry leaders are keen to help but get stuck with how to bring in the young people that need the opportunity most. Working with the school, EW matches the host with a capable, curious student facing barriers (Free School Meals, lower income family, underrepresented minority) with no contacts within the industry. EW does all the paperwork, organisation, and preparation making it as easy as possible for the hosts to accommodate a placement.

11 leading London-based production companies (Eleven, Pulse, Sister, Fable, Left Bank, Chapter One, Drama Republic, The Forge, Big Talk Studios, Val-tv, Hartswood Films) have now hosted at least one Year 10 student with Experience Work – with all agreeing to host again. They have seen the value in the experience and how just 3 days of hosting can be a life-changing opportunity for teenagers.

“Keely was invaluable to making this work. I was extremely busy in the run-up to the placement, but Keely handling the majority of the legwork ensured we were able to make it happen.” – Elliott, Left Bank

Common questions from hosts:

Is it legal to have a person who is under 18 in the office and under our care?

Yes. All companies have an Employers Liability Insurance which means it is legal for you to host a 14/15-year-old in the office.

Parents and the school are responsible and give consent for the placement. Safeguarding guidelines are sent in advance and EW is on hand at all times to help with any queries pre and during placement.

Does everyone need a DBS check?

No, this is not required by the school as the placement is so short but EW asks the key host to have a basic DBS check which is easy to sort.

How many students and for how long?

One Year 10 student (aged 14 or 15 years old) for 3 days as part of a weeklong experience. You may be asked to do this once or twice a year or to host when you can.

What does being a host entail?

You provide insurance details, someone in the company is the key host who EW communicates with, your company is linked to a student, you Zoom with the student before the placement to say hello, you work with EW on a suitable schedule for the 3 days, your team hosts the student for 3 days, you write a reference for the student.

Is it valuable for someone so young? What kind of things do they do?

Yes, very valuable. Students often participate in a development meeting discussion around next steps, attend a mix of a show, prepare a meeting space and take refreshment orders, visit a set, visit an editing suite. It has a huge impact for these young people just to be exposed to and part of a professional, creative workplace.

Is there enough happening in the office for them? What if it’s a quiet week?

EW will work with the host in the run-up to the placement to put a schedule together of things going on that week. If there are gaps then EW can create meaningful tasks for the student, like finding time with 3 people in the office and interviewing and recording details about their job role.

What if content being filmed/edited/discussed is unsuitable for this age range?

The week before the host will know what’s coming up and any areas of concern can be discussed with EW and consent given from parents etc if need be or a different task created by EW.

Do I have to cover the students’ expenses?

You may contribute £50 to go towards the student’s travel and lunch money if the company is able to afford it, otherwise, EW will cover it.