Working outreach

My phone rings. I look down noticing ‘withheld number’ displayed on the screen. I decide for once to answer the unknown caller. “Hi Mathew. It’s the BBC. Congratulations, your BBC Outreach work placement application has been successful. I will email you all the relevant information.” As the call ends a wave of nerves, excitement, joy and determination flood through my head. It immediately strikes me what a fantastic opportunity this will be and I am determined to make the most of my week at the BBC.

Once I am introduced to the hospitable BBC Outreach team, I am quickly briefed on my roles and responsibilities for the week. I will be assisting where necessary with researching and producing BBC Outreach online content and creating internal communications material. My primary role will be contributing towards the successful running of the annual BBC Outreach Community Event. The Community Event celebrates the local community by inviting organisations, volunteer groups, local schools and political representatives in to the BBC to meet the BBC Outreach team. It is an exciting challenge to be part of such a prestigious gathering. Throughout the week, I monitored the event RSVP’s, logistical matters and dealt with business guests. On the night, I was given the task of meeting and greeting guests on arrival at BBC Television Centre.

As the evening progressed I was able to liaise with guests and in doing so learned more about the incredible work done by the BBC Outreach team connecting with the community in their west London neighbourhood. The enthusiasm displayed by young and old guests from varied backgrounds made the evening a resounding success. My final day included tying up loose journalistic ends before completing my week’s work placement working at the impressive New Broadcasting House in central London.

In corporate terms, the word ‘team’ is banded around nonsensically. I often read ‘forming part of a successful team’ or ‘feel part of a team environment’, but during the week I spent with the BBC Outreach department I witnessed first-hand how a TEAM works together to deliver a successful project – in this case a large community event. The experience proved invaluable and presented me with a greater understanding of the mechanics of the BBC and the unseen corporate responsibility work done by the corporation. The contacts made, advice retained and knowledge acquired will substantially aid my development as a journalist. Finally, it was a privilege and honour to be part of the BBC Outreach TEAM during my work placement and I thank all of my colleagues for supporting me throughout the week.

*Mathew joined BBC Outreach on one of the 1,700 work experience opportunities offered at the BBC every year. Placements are available right across the organisation - from radio or online to business and finance. Visit the BBC Careers website for more information.

Mathew was a valuable member of the BBC Outreach team, helping us ensure that the annual event went smoothly. The reception is our opportunity to meet people living and working in our neighbourhood in Hammersmith & Fulham (and particularly White City). We celebrate some highlights from our work in the community during the past year and look at some upcoming projects, before talking to our guests to hear their thoughts. At this year's event, we also heard from Stanhope PLC regarding their exciting plans for the Television Centre development, which will open up the site for the first time, connecting it with the surrounding local area and providing a mix of uses, as well as keeping many of the much loved buildings. The BBC will remain in parts of the site - BBC Worldwide will make it their new home and we'll be creating television in studios 1-3.