Posted by Gill Tee
One of the great pleasures of having worked in the events industry this long, is being asked to share my knowledge and experience with others. I’m often invited to talk at events and join discussion panels at conferences, and if I can do it I will; I’ve been fortunate in my career to work with some genuine legends, so it makes sense to pay it forward if I can. But by far the most rewarding of these opportunities is my recent appointment as trustee to the young people’s music charity, The SupaJam Foundation.
SupaJam gives vulnerable and disadvantaged young people the support and guidance they need to break into the music industry. These aren’t just naughty kids who have been expelled for skipping school, they are truly marginalised children, who have suffered abuse, homelessness and crippling addictions. They don’t get the access to the basic skills and training that many of us take for granted. SupaJam gives them the financial support and the skills they need to start their career - not just courses and qualifications, but contacts and crucially, work experience.
It’s a cause that’s close to my heart because I know that life could so easily have gone a different way for me. I grew up on a council estate in south east London, and experienced family tragedy at a young age. If I hadn’t been fortunate enough to meet certain people when I did, my story might not have had such a happy ending. So I’m excited to be able to give something back as part of the SupaJam team - especially getting some of the kids involved in our busy schedule for 2017.
I’ll be posting more as my role develops and we work with some of the SupaJam students. For now, if you’re interested in finding out more or supporting SupaJam, you can visit their website www.semm.co.uk
Gill x