At Bowerbirdy Academy, we do more than run exciting activities for kids. We also create opportunities for young people to gain work experience, build confidence, and develop the skills they’ll need for the future.
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We’re passionate about supporting our community, and that includes hiring young adults aged 16 and over, giving them training in first aid, safeguarding, leadership, and teamwork. Many of the people who work with us started out as children attending our sessions. Now, they’re leading activities, gaining valuable experience, and using what they’ve learned to take the next step in their careers. Some have gone into teaching, childcare, and creative industries, while others have taken the confidence they built here into completely different paths.
It’s not just about having a job. It’s about growing as a person, learning new things, and being part of something meaningful.
From Attendee to Team Member
A lot of our staff first came to Bowerbirdy Academy as kids. They made friends, tried new activities, and built memories. Then, when they were old enough, they got involved as volunteers or staff, giving them a chance to take on responsibility in a place that already felt like home.
Maya, one of our current team members, shared her journey:
“Bowerbirdy Academy has been an amazing experience. I first joined years ago as one of the kids, and now it’s my first job! As a child, it gave me hobbies and clubs to be part of, and now as an instructor, it’s taught me responsibility, leadership, and teamwork. My younger sisters are now involved too, and I’d recommend it to anyone.”
For Emily, working with us helped her grow in confidence and feel comfortable taking on new challenges:
“Going to Bowerbirdy Academy as a child really boosted my confidence. Now working there, I’ve experienced it from different angles—making friends as a kid, then meeting new work friends and interacting with the children. It’s been great to work and attend over the last couple of years, and I hope to return next year.”
These stories are just a few of many. We love seeing young people progress from being attendees to leaders and role models for the next generation.
Real Skills for Real Life
Working with us isn’t just about getting a bit of extra pocket money. It’s about learning the kinds of skills that employers look for. Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership all come naturally when you’re leading activities and helping to run sessions.
Jaimy first got involved through our Film School programme, which led to a job helping to run it. Here’s what he had to say:
“Attending the sessions was always a real treat, especially Film School. I used professional equipment and made short films with my friends, many of whom I still have. After I got too old to attend, I got a job at Bowerbirdy Academy, helping to lead the sessions. I’ve learned a lot, had fun, and gained valuable work experience that I can take with me as I apply to university.”
Whether someone wants to work in education, the arts, or something completely different, having hands-on experience like this makes a real difference when applying for university, apprenticeships, or future jobs.
Supporting Local Businesses and the Wider Community
We believe in keeping things local wherever we can. That means we source food, art supplies, and other materials from nearby businesses, supporting independent traders while providing the best experience for our sessions.
For those who’ve outgrown our children’s programmes but aren’t quite ready for a job, we offer volunteering opportunities. This helps them build up their CVs, get some hands-on experience, and feel more prepared for future roles.
A Stepping Stone to Bigger Things
For many of the young people who work with us, Bowerbirdy Academy is just the beginning. The experience, confidence, and skills they gain here help them take the next step, whether that’s in education, work, or personal development.
We’re always looking for enthusiastic young people to join our team, whether as volunteers or staff. If you know someone who’d love to get involved, or if you’d like to learn more about what we offer, get in touch with us today!
