Glasgow Life has been a phenomenal Pioneering Partner of MCR Pathways for over 12 months. As well as encouraging staff to become mentors to the city’s most disadvantaged, we’ve both developed an array of inspired and inspiring Talent Tasters for our young people. Talent Tasters ensure vital access to arts, culture and sports experiences as well as future employment opportunities for our young people. The experiences are immeasurable for confidence building and creating sparks of interest and motivation.
Also, Glasgow Life staff and visitors to over 70 of the city’s busiest venues are being actively encouraged to get involved. Mentor recruitment posters, leaflets and brochures are predominantly displayed across the city as Glasgow Life hosts some of the city’s biggest summer events. This means more people than ever will be aware of YGT and the ways to help a young person find, grow and use their talents.
The first of many Young Glasgow Talent Tasters was a complete success. First to be tried out was the job Talent Taster for a Gallery Assistant role in the Glasgow Riverside Museum. YGT young people attended and learned everything about what it takes to work in one of Glasgow’s most popular attractions. With so much to see, do and learn there was no time to lose when they were introduced to Craig Reilly. A dedicated Gallery Assistant, Craig is a Riverside Museum veteran.
Craig first explained his role at the Museum. Shifts can be split into morning, afternoon and evening, each with specific requirements. Beginning the day, he’ll set up before guests arrive. Greeting them while they come through the front doors. Being on hand to answer any questions. Giving first class tours of the Museum. Knowing the history, exhibits and displays by heart. Closing up at the end of the day, were all the key tasks mentioned.
Craig was keen to let the young people know that he left school with only 2 ‘O Levels’ but then realised he had to work hard. He explained working hard is really important and there’s always a pathway that you can follow to a great career. This kind of inspiration had the young people asking lots of questions about what it was like to work in the Museum. Craig took them on a great tour, explaining in detail the exhibitions. Included was a cobbled street originally from Glasgow, vintage subway carts and an array of fabulous vehicles. The Glasgow street was complete with the sound of rainfall. Craig stressed the fact that “the collection belongs to everyone”.
The young people also had fantastic hands on experience greeting the guests to the Museum at the front door. They were also working at the front desk. Demonstrating their customer service skills and inspiring each other to give everyone a fantastic experience of the museum. This participation is vital to show YGT youngsters what working as a Gallery Assistant is actually like. Providing them with insight into what would be expected in the working world, while enjoying one of Glasgow’s finest experiences.
There was also a first class tour behind the scenes. Coupled with a detailed explanation of the “guts of the building.” Including the boiler room, water tanks, the wiring, storage and the computer room which runs every exhibition in the museum. The young people also visited the offices, and met the workers who had different specialties. Including Bob, Head of Tours. They also learnt about all the other roles in the building, including shop, floor, health and safety and events staff.
There was then a fantastic workshop put together with Heather Robertson. Heather’s role is display coordinator at the museum. She showed the young people around different exhibits she had put together. Including one inspired by the 1960’s. Complete with a mini convertible car, a dress worn by Audrey Hepburn and a painting by Bridget Riley. This gave the young people an idea of display pieces which are grouped together to spark the public’s imagination. Asking them to gain inspiration from each.
Under Heather’s enthusiastic instruction the young people were able to create their own display. Made from different pieces of interest, they arranged them in a way fitting for the public. Taking into consideration specific ages and how they might interact with these designs. This fed back in perfectly as a Gallery Assistant has to know everything about the museum, including how designs are put together and maintained.
We’d like to extend a huge thankyou to Glasgow Life. For your commitment to YGT and for hosting such a fantastic pilot Talent Taster. Our young people have gained a wealth of knowledge about working in tourism, customer services and the culture sector!
Get involved in our amazing programme! Have friends or family that you know would make a perfect mentor? We’re looking for new mentors to match with the city’s young people. We have so many new young people that desperately, but deservedly, need your help. Guide them through their education as they work towards a fabulously positive future. Visit our website and find out more today.
