News 
Edinburgh Mela Festival Seeks Volunteers
11 June 2009
The Edinburgh Mela Festival is once again on the search for volunteers to help across all aspects of the event following the successful launch of a volunteering scheme last year.
The Mela’s volunteer coordinator, Karen Veitch, is looking for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers to join the Festival team throughout July and over the Mela weekend 7 – 9 August 2009 at Pilrig Park.
Thousands of applicants wanted the chance to become part of the Festival Team last year and Karen hopes for the same enthusiasm this year.
“Getting involved with something like the Mela is a great experience for anyone interested in world culture, music and the arts,” Karen said. “We want our volunteer team to be a diverse one and so are keen to hear from people from all backgrounds. Our volunteers will experience being part of a busy team that needs to deliver professional support as part of a successful Mela. They will also be able to use us as referees for future work.”
Volunteers will be given the chance to help out with various aspects of the Mela in roles including artist liaison staff, information stewards welcoming and giving out information to Festival visitors, fashions show assistants, box office staff, hospitality assistants and front of house staff.
The volunteering scheme offers some great exclusive benefits which include travel expenses, food and refreshments, a ticket to the Mela closing party, a volunteer thank you event and a reference to put on the CV. Successful applicants will also be able to meet new people, build up experience, share skills and develop new skills, be involved behind-the-scenes in production and stage management and see some exciting shows.
Mela Director, Liam Sinclair added
“The volunteer scheme is a great opportunity for anyone who would like to be part of a dedicated team in delivering a key Edinburgh Festival and gain hands on experience amidst all the hustle and bustle that goes on throughout the summer in the Capital. Last year’s scheme worked really well and it is great to see applicant’s enthusiasm in wanting to be part of the Edinburgh Mela.”
Ravjot Repyal, who took part in the scheme last year, found the experience invaluable and a great way to meet new people, she said:
“It was a great opportunity to learn new skills; I met some really helpful people and it was good fun being part of such a great festival.”
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For more information please contact Shaheena Abbas on Shaheena.abbas@pagodapr.com or 0131 556 0770
Notes to Editors
- To find out more and how to apply please contact Karen Veitch on 0131 332 2888 or email volunteer@edinburgh-mela.co.uk (Please note: deadline for applications is 5th July 2009).
- Applicants must be 16 years or over
- The Edinburgh Mela Festival was founded in 1995 by members of the city’s minority ethnic communities, and one of its key objectives was to reflect and celebrate Scotland’s cultural diversity.
- A report in 2005 revealed the Mela’s contribution to the local economy was £1 million (see p7 of http://efaextra.efa-aef.eu/efadoc/11%5Cfestivals_exec_summary_final_%20edinburgh%2004-05.pdf)
- To find out more about the Mela Volunteering Scheme please visit http://www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk/em/volunteer.php
