BBC Radio 1 launch outreach programme ahead of Big Weekend of Live Music 2021

12 May 2021 - Press release

BBC Radio 1 will host an extensive programme of outreach activities in the lead up to Radio 1’s Big Weekend of Live Music to help young people explore careers in the creative industry. 

In partnership with the Job Centre, Radio 1’s Big Weekend Connects will give young people around the UK the opportunity to learn more about working in creative industries, providing them with the skills, know-how and motivation they need to take those all-important first steps. 

From Sunday 16 – Thursday 27 May, Radio 1 will host online sessions introducing young people to experts from 10 creative industries, who will offer their insights into how young people can work to secure their dream jobs. Each of the hour-long interactive webinars will be hosted by Radio 1 DJs including Katie Thistleton, Jack Saunders, Clara Amfo, Arielle Free, Jordan North, Vick Hope, Chris Stark, Danny Howard, Rickie Haywood-Williams and Charlie Hedges. During the sessions, audience members will have the opportunity to hear and ask questions of panellists including Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter KAMILLE, producer Steel Banglez and YouTuber Elz the Witch and brands such as Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing, Ministry of Sound and of course BBC Radio 1. Weekday sessions will be held from 5:30 – 6:30pm and Sunday sessions will be held from 1:30 – 2:30pm. 

• 16^th – Journalism
• 17^th – Gaming
• 18^th – Music Business
• 19^th – Social Media Marketing
• 20^th – Radio
• 23^rd – Fashion
• 24^th – Podcasts
• 25^th – Music Production
• 26^th – Film and TV
• 27^th – Events

Tickets are now available via the sign up link on the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend Connects Homepage. 

In addition to the careers sessions, a unique personality quiz will be available on the Radio 1 website. Launched this morning on Radio 1 Breakfast in partnership with the Job Centre, young people will be able to discover creative career paths that best suit their skills and interests by taking a short quiz, with a range of resources provided to enable them to learn more. The quiz will also be circulated to around one million young Job Centre users as a means of offering tangible support to young people beyond the boundaries of education. 

Radio 1’s Life Hacks will also feature 12 brand new Career Toolkit episodes aimed at school and college leavers. Available now on BBC Sounds, hosts Vick Hope and Katie Thistleton will hear from career experts on a range of topics, including tips and tricks for job interviews, how to deal with rejection, managing imposter syndrome and much more. 

Vick Hope and Katie Thistleton say: “We know from hearing from Radio 1 listeners on Life Hacks that job pressures can be one of the main worries young people have but Radio 1’s outreach programme is such a brilliant way to explore how they can harness their talents, build skillsets, and inspire creativity and ambition. The personality quiz is amazing and we know the outreach sessions will be invaluable!” 

Jack Saunders says: “At Radio 1 we are passionate about helping promote creative careers and opportunities for young people; not just in radio but in film, music, gaming, social media and loads more. These jobs aren't always immediately obvious, but with a bit of guidance we can hopefully help some talented young people live out their dream jobs.” 

Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “This year Radio 1’s Big Weekend of Live Music is more important than ever: we’re doing what we can to support the live music and creative industries as they begin to recover, as well as offering valuable support to thousands of young people around the UK facing unemployment with our outreach programme. We want to motivate and guide young people who are interested in creative career paths with our invaluable online sessions and resources, and we look forward to topping it all off with a bank holiday weekend packed full of incredible live performances.”