About the Organisation
Sutton Music Festival is an annual celebration of music and drama attracting entries from over 670 people. It is held over three weekends in November, followed by a Prizewinners' concert.
What you will be doing
The Festival generally runs on Friday evenings, all day Saturday (including the evening), and Sunday afternoon and evening. Up to 100 entrants and 10 volunteers could be present at the Festival at any one time. A large number of our entrants are children and young people with their parents. A Masterclass is held in the following spring.
The Halls and Health and Safety Officer has overall responsibility for liaison with the venues used by the Festival and ensuring the facilities meet the needs of the Festival. The manager also has responsibility for ensuring Health and Safety requirements at the venues are met (including First Aid) and for carrying out risk assessments.
Throughout the year there is a need to:
- maintain liaison with the main contacts at each venue
- maintain and update any signage needed.
- ensure the First Aid kits are up to date and any training needs are met.
- maintain and update incident reporting instructions and reporting forms.
- check that the BIFF Employer’s Liability Insurance is up to date.
In January, provisionally book venues for the dates for that year’s Festival.
When the room requirements are known (beginning of October), visit the sites to confirm the number and length of sessions required and equipment setup needed. Agree fees and sign the lettings contract. Check on warm-up facilities and the need for signage.
Establish any new H&S considerations. Prepare/ update Risk Assessments, site plans and signage requirements for each venue.
During the Festival:
- Assist with the set up as needed. In practice this is delegated to the stewards, but the Halls Manager has responsibility to seeing that it is done correctly.
- Liaise with venue staff if there are any specific needs.
- Ensure there is clear up at the conclusion of the evening sessions.
Gala Concert:
Ensure the hall is prepared – assist the caretakers, the key person, the trophy secretary, ensure all notices, equipment, documentation and boxes are taken away.
What's in it for you?
This role will especially appeal to volunteers who are interested in (mainly) classical music and speech and drama, and who want to see these arts flourish in Sutton. There are opportunities to watch performances by some highly gifted young (and older!) entrants. You will develop skills in risk assessment, health and safety awareness skills, and working as part of a team.
You will be a member of the committee with the potential to be a trustee of the Festival.
What skills will you need?
Some experience of working with school/ arts venues is helpful but not essential. You will need to be able to take initiatives to ensure the tasks are carried out, take the lead in meeting with venues and carrying out risk assessments. The ability to update and print signage is helpful.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required, which the Festival will arrange.
What's the time commitment and where?
Time commitment:
The work is spaced out through the year but will be busy in the early Autumn.
Location:
Most classes are held at Overton Grange School (Stanley Road, Sutton, SM2 6TQ), with additional classes at Holy Trinity Church, Wallington (Maldon Rd, Wallington SM6 8BL) and Homefield School, Sutton (Western Rd, Sutton SM1 2TE)
How can I apply?
Please complete the form below and we will put you in contact with the organisation. It’s helpful if you can tell us a little about yourself and why you’re interested in this role in the message box below.
By completing this form you agree for us to pass on your contact details to the organisation.
