Young people are continuing to do amazing things and Ellie Ragdale is one of them. Read about her experience of working with somewhereto_ and her amazing work as a stop motion animator. 

My name is Ellie Ragdale and I am a stop motion animator and prop maker living in Sheffield. I have made several short films which have been lucky enough to be shown at festivals across the country, including London Short Film Festival, and I have worked in the art department on music videos and the CBeebies’s show Justin’s House.

I stumbled across somewhereto_ by chance, and I am so glad I did! Aspiring to work in a creative, competitive industry I knew it was going to be tough to find work, but in this current economic climate it feels particularly impossible. I graduated University with a good degree and quickly realised it was experience that I needed to be noticed. After a year of unpaid internships and work experience I was exhausted and barely a step closer to being considered for actual paid roles. Desperate to take a new approach and start something by myself, something in which I could offer other young people experience, I decided to start my own animation club.

I met the fantastic Luisa, my regional somewhereto_ co-ordinator, in a cafe and was amazed by what the company did; not only did they offer spaces and assistance in marketing your event, but they also offered advice and opportunities for young people in my position. Walking away from the meeting I felt as though it was all too good to be true. I remember asking Luisa in disbelief “This is all for free, right?!”

Luisa suggested I apply for the O2 Think Big Fund which is a grant of £300, this would allow me to buy equipment and materials. She also put me in touch with my venue, Parsons Cross Library, a wonderful new purpose built space entitled The Learning Zone which had good sized workshop rooms with wifi, and a projector, which would be perfect for screening animations. I decided to work in this area of Sheffield because I wanted my workshops to be accessible to people who were likely to be unfamiliar with animation and its techniques, who had not experienced making their own films before.  I also wanted my workshops to be open to those who perhaps had fewer opportunities to attend free clubs such as this, children or families could really benefit from having these kind of activities.

My bid to O2 was successful and I soon began preparing for my classes. Luisa invited me to a one on one Photoshop lesson with a member of her Art in the Park team and there I created an bold and colourful poster to distribute around the area. Being a bit of a computer illiterate person the chance to learn to use a programme such as this was invaluable, as it is something I imagine I will come across again in my line of creative work.

The workshops began and after a slow start a (very!) small group of us created a short animation you can see below. Although the turnout was not quite as good as I had hoped, I was happy with how the workshops went, one attendee in particular, a man from the local area, was very interesting. Each week he recounted fascinating tales from his life and about the work he does in environmental health awareness. He also suggested potential collaborative animation projects for the future which is promising and would be fantastic to be involved in.

somewhereto_ helped me realise my vision, and achieve it. Despite the small turnout I feel I have regained my confidence; I now know I have ability to create and organise an event successfully.  I am so thankful I was able to get out of my work experience/internship rut and work creatively with a community, doing something I am both passionate and proud of.  In a society which at the moment seems be turning young people away somewhereto_ offers opportunities, support and guidance. It is so refreshing and reassuring it has been to have someone tell you, a young person, that they believe in you, that you can do it and they will help you.

Thank you somewhereto_ for all of your help and for simply existing, you have inspired me and I cannot wait to get started with you on a new, bigger adventure soon! 

Watch a video of Ellie’s work below and contact us here if you need space to do the things you love. And remember, the best thing about it… it’s FREE! 

Parson Cross Library from Ellie Ragdale on Vimeo.

Work experience is a great way to get “employable”. So you’ve managed to get a foot in the door. We asked a whole bunch of interesting people from film directors to creative directors to financial directors about what their thoughts on work experience. So, next time you’re making the tea or Google-searching your heart out and the office *terrifies* you, just give this a read……

1. How important do you think getting work experience (in any sense) is to being employable?

the Film Director said: 

I think it’s vitally important to get work experience to being employable, particularly in the field of employment you wish to head into. I believe it’ll fully inform you of what’s expected in the workplace and give you the knowledge and skills with which to focus on what employers are looking for as you apply for that job. 

the Social Media Guru said:

Very. I’ve had a lot of s**t work placements from working in a pharmacy as a mini security guard (baby food watchman), to stacking shelves in a dilapidated Maplins - but each experience gives you different tastes of different working environments, from the people to the work ethics. In the long run, I think that can shape you, opening your eyes to what you do and do not want to do (if you don’t know already), give you networks and opportunities (if you grab them and take initiative), and of course, each placement is another notch on your CV. Work experience can often be a drag if you’re not getting paid and doing something you love, but no one find their dream job without a bit of hustle.

the Chairman said:

I think it’s essential, many nuances of an office are often unteachable and non sensical. How are you supposed to teach office politics? Navigating an office is as much intuition as it is skill based, and intuition is honed in experience. The tangible deliverables of Job Descriptions and qualifications, are helpful but one dimensional. More often than not, people want members of the team to ‘fit in’ or something equally impossible to demonstrate on paper, or learn in school.

2. Would you ever consider giving advice and/or allowing someone to shadow you? What would be the circumstances you’d allow that? 

the Finance Director said:

Yes. Shadowing is how people learned jobs in the “olden days” when I was young. You worked with, watched and emulated a more experienced person. Bit by bit, you took on more responsibilities until without realising it, you were as good as your mentor. The key thing expected from the understudy is an element of humility. Nobody likes the smarty pants who thinks they are every bit as good as an experienced person because they wrote a paper on the subject at university.

the Telly Person said:

Definitely. I think I like people who make it easy for me though - they call and show a bit of extra effort. Not just a lazy email asking me to write a long email back with advice. When I was job hunting I found that asking for an informal chat over coffee, after giving a bit of structure in terms of the role I was looking for (important to give some focus) worked well - and being flexible even if it meant going across london to meet people before they go to work!

the Creative Director said:

Yes, I’ve done it many times in many ways. Generally if they’ve taken
the initiative to come and ask me for advice / experience / mentoring
etc then  they deserve to get it - but yes, politeness and a genuine
sense of interest and drive should come through. The worst thing they
can do is say something like ‘my dad/teacher/line-manager’ said i
should come and talk to you -  because then you know that the impetus
is not from within them, they’re heart won’t be in it and it’ll be
like pushing water up hill.

3. What would be your Golden Rule when networking

the Social Media guru said:

I was always told to leave an impression, make sure they remember you. But I think it’s just as important to get contact details and FOLLOW UP. If you’re at an event with loads of people, it’s even harder to be remembered among the noise. A follow up email/phone call in the morning puts extra weight in your corner and shows that person you mean business.

The Events Manager said:

Try and add value too - its not just one way and you getting something from them - what can you offer back - passion, research, your contacts?

the Finance Dude said:

Listen. Be interested in the other person. Absorb. Some of these people are founts of knowledge. If you have little experience, its not a crime. 

4. What do you deem to be cardinal sins when being a work experience? Anything to avoid/etiquette/etc?

the Exec Producer said:

Lateness, insensitivity/tactlessness and not really a cardinal sin, but I think lots of people don’t help themselves by not defining their goals enough/dont know what they want - people can help you more if you give them more information about what it is you want. Working on a focussed ‘elevator pitch’ means you’ll get more out of networking. 

the Social Media Guru said

Being rude, being late (to meetings and networking events), not taking down notes (logging everything you can take away from the encounter from tips, to ideas and contact details), and a general sit back and can’t be bothered attitude. If you want to kick start your career you need to go for it.

5. Any key advice in general to young people just starting out their careers?

the Creative Director said: 

Chocolate Hobnobs.
The best thing any young person can do is take a large packet of Milk
Chocolate Hob Nobs (not Plain Chocolate!) with them on the second day of their work experience (def not the first day!). Then at 3.45pm
exactly, wander around the entire office/filmset/farm/factory offering
everyone a biscuit, introducing themselves and asking them what they
are working on and. Nobody can resist a chocolate hobnob so they will
be powerless to resist engaging in a conversation with them - and the
more you know about what everyone does, how you might be able to help them, and for them to know who you are, then the quicker you can make yourself indispensable. The best £1.75 you’ll ever spend.

the Account Executive said:

You must be positive, because rejection will happen! But persevere, and prepare, prepare, prepare and every interview you go to act like everyone else is applying for their absolute dream job and is doing their best as well so you have to do even better. (If that makes sense?)

the Finance Dude said:

Accept that you don’t know everything. Be willing to learn and take knowledge in new and unexpected ways - not just from training programmes, but listening to the oldy talking about real life experiences. Some of the most valuable stock market lessons I learned at 18 came from my boss back then. He was a junior clerk back in 1929 when the stock market crashed. He told me real life stories that were his first hand experiences of the event. I can say truly that I heard about 1929 from someone who was there. Worth its weight in gold.

the Telly Person said:

Remember that money isn’t everything- so choose a job or career around what makes you tick not the chance to earn mega bucks- especially when you are young and don’t have as any responsibilities or expenses like kids, houses, mortgages, expensive divorce settlements and Botox etc hahaha!

If you need space to conduct your experiment, write your blog, start your business or do what you love to do… Clicking here might just change your life!

Are you an athlete in Aberdeen? (or are any of your friends?)

Fantastic indoor track located in Aberdeen’s impressive sports village. This is a great place to practice sprinting, although you could also use this for any suitable alternative activity. Great indoor athletics area for individuals and teams alike. Perfect for sprint training.

Get in touch today to use this space, or if you were after somewhereto_ practice other sport (like swimming) then check out our great range of different spaces you and your freinds can use for FREE!

somewhereto_ express yourself?

4Q is a online and printed publication based in manchester which covers music, art and entertainment. This quirky underground magazine is full of fantastic features on opinions, news and views written by young people for young people. The magazine gets distributed throughout HMV’s and music venues in Manchester.

Get in touch today to use this wicked space!

Check out Brighton’s Dear Prudence performing their debut single Valentine!

somewhereto_ space The Boiler Shop, was used to film the music video.

Open YOUR own free space HERE!

A wicked space with the equipment and the community you need!

This community radio station for the Totnes area is a fabulous space available to broadcast your ideas, projects and performing skills. They have a live studio you can use to broadcast your ideas, or go on as a guest to do a sketch, song, poem or interview.

They have a workshop room where you can put on an event, e.g. a small gig, a sewing group, or a little workshop, or display some artwork. Over 18s can train to run the space for themselves and under 18s are supervised by staff and volunteers.

If you can bring along a parent or similar to help out then that would be ideal as extra helpers are always welcome.

Get in touch today to use this space for FREE! If this isn’t what you’re looking for, use our space search to find something that suits you.

“I still have to pinch myself to prove it’s real, somewhereto_ just keeps making it happen!”

T1 got the once in a lifetime opportunity to perform before RNB sensation Drake!

T1, also known as Theo Johnson, has had lots of opportunity to access space through somewhereto_ including taking part in a radio show on BBC West Midlands and recording a demo at Soundmasters Studios in Birmingham.

T1’s involvement with Dae Martin at Soundmasters Studios, led to him being offered an incredible opportunity to perform in front of thousands at the LG Arena in Birmingham, opening the concert for Labrinth and global rap star Drake. 

“Opportunities are there for the grabbing so when they come, grab them! somewhereto_ has opened me up to a world I only dreamt of, BBC, Clothes Show, Drake, what’s next? The Olympic Games I hope!” - T1

If you feel inspired, why not get in touch today so that we can find you a space to pursue YOUR passion?

Kyrah dreams of becoming a producer, first on radio and then on TV. She wanted some experience to give her more of an understanding about the industry and to learn as much as she could.

“Actually I can’t believe I’ve done it, it makes me feel really important to be doing such a big thing on such a big station. I’ve learnt so much, I’m just proud to say to my friends and family that I produced this show! I never really saw the BBC as a place that young people would be involved in, the staff are so cool!” - Kyrah

somewhereto_ found Kyrah a spot on BBC radio Birmingham, to co-produce a 2pm - 5pm drive time show. Kyrah was also given a behind the scenes tour of BBC Birmingham. The show Kyrah co-produced has an estimated 190,000 listeners.

If you want to find out more about somewhereto_, check out our website. We can find you a space whatever your passion!

Video highlight reel - Unlocking the doors of Westminster Hall, 10 Downing Street, BT Tower, and the Eden Project!

We usually love to show you all the latest spaces across the UK we have on offer for young people - but to get you thinking outside the box about the possibilities with somewhereto_, here’s a little highlight reel of some of the most memorable spaces we’ve unlocked for talented young people so far;

T4 On The Beach 

Dancers in Westminster Hall!

The incredible video we made at Downing Street, with a whole bunch of varied talent

Unlocking the BT Tower for animators looking for a break in the industry

And even a dance workshop with the one and only A-Team at The Eden Project (and heres an exclusive interview!)

Check out the rest of our YouTube channel, and get in touch today to find out how you can get involved in, or even create a similar experience to the videos above.

Remember, whatever your passion, we will always find a space that suits YOU.