by Author Charlie UVG

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From participant to employee

The UVG were delighted to take on two young apprentices in September 2015. Both young people were members of the UVG prior to their apprenticeships and 6 month’s into their role we asked them to talk about their the transition from participant to employee.

Lauren – Business and Administration Apprentice

Why choose UVG instead of any other apprenticeship host?

I chose UVG to do my apprenticeship with over any other group because I am very familiar with the group and I knew that would give me an advantage. Whilst working for UVG I have changed my role within the group, I chose to distance myself from the members rather than choose a different organisation as I feel at home here. I know I can speak to any member of staff about anything and due to previously being within the UVG groups, I know the young people a bit better and this will make the young people feel like they can talk to me about anything regarding the group. I didn’t want to start an apprenticeship with a different organisation as I would have worried about not fitting in, I don’t have to worry about that at UVG.

Who introduced you to UVG and why did you stay?

My friend Parv introduced me to the group; he was a volunteer tutor for UVG. Parv is an experienced rapper who produces his own and others music; he told me about UVG when he found out I had an interest in singing/ song writing. I was never interested in doing group singing as I wanted to have a solo career; however, after going to one session at UVG I realised how much I enjoyed group singing. There is such a great atmosphere at the sessions and everyone in the room is supportive and encouraging, there are opportunities to do solo parts within songs so I knew that if I wanted to develop my solo career I could. I mainly stay because of the amount of confidence I have when I sing with UVG, I was such a nervous singer before I went to UVG but now I can say my confidence has grown dramatically. I am so grateful for the support that UVG have given me and I am glad I now work for them to give something back to them.

What makes UVG different?

UVG is different because it is free, they do not charge young people to come and sing. The know that some young people can’t afford to pay each week, UVG are free so anyone can come and join in; this  then doesn’t limit or exclude anyone from the group. UVG put their own twist on songs, Amba changes the songs to suit all of our voices and style; this is another thing I like as it makes us different, it changes our perspectives on songs. UVG adds harmonies and ad-libs to the songs which also change the song, most people in the group enjoy singing dance tracks which start off as an acoustic song but changes half way through. Everyone in the group is different and we all sing at different levels and abilities, but if you came in and watched a group session you couldn’t tell the difference between the shy and the experienced people.

Macauly – Marketing Apprentice

Why choose UVG instead of any other apprenticeship host?

I chose marketing as a field of work and I knew that UVG needed someone plus I knew a lot about them and they’ve helped me a lot in the previous years so I wanted to give them something back. I knew that doing this job would be fun as its working within the arts compared to somewhere else, every day is better because it’s different.

Who introduced you to UVG and why did you stay?

An ex UVG member introduced me to UVG, I stayed because of the sound of the group, it was so immense! I walked in and had no idea what to expect and we started learning a song (Ain’t Nobody) and when it was pieced together it made me think WOW! How did I not find out about this sooner! It’s completely different from what I’d been doing at the choir at school.

What makes UVG different?

Everyone in the group is different and we all sing at different levels and abilities, but if you came in and watched a group session you couldn’t tell the difference between the shy and the experienced people.