As a previous member of the Youth Board, I already knew a bit about how CSSF works as an organisation. However, during my recent work experience both onsite and at a workshop I got a hands-on experience of what working here is like. I’ve really enjoyed getting to have a taste of the different departments and help them out with their work. I loved the challenge of coming up with potential ideas for content for CSSF’s Instagram- ideas that hopefully will pop up on your feeds throughout the year. Getting to go to a workshop at the Criterion was a really special experience; I never would have guessed when I emailed to ask if I could do work experience with Coram that I’d get to go backstage (and onstage!) in a West End theatre!

Getting the chance to work in a more independent manner was also really enjoyable- it's something I get to do a bit more now that I’m doing my A-Levels and being able to transfer these skills to the workplace felt very satisfying. And when I did need guidance, other people were happy to help. I felt very welcome, and the working environment was extremely warm and friendly. I would definitely recommend CSSF as somewhere to choose for a work experience placement, especially to a young person interested in the arts who would be interested in finding out more about how projects like the Shakespeare Schools Festival are brought to schools and theatres, as well as other services like workshops that are organised for schools.