Make your radio dreams come true at the Island

Mairead Campbell, one of the most recognisable voice on Cool FM, will be hosting a week-long radio production workshop for teenagers at the Island Arts Centre at the beginning of August.

From Monday August 11 until Friday August 15 Mairead will take you through all things radio, including voice training, script writing, presenting, audience demographics and programming.

On the final day participant will get the opportunity to host their own ‘live’ show from the Island Arts Centre.

Aimed at 12-16 year olds, the workshop has been designed to give young people an insight into what working in the media industry entails.

The workshop is facilitated by ‘Dare Dreamers’, which aims to address anti-social behaviour by encouraging young people to follow their dreams and have the courage to break into the media industry.

Mairead developed Dare Dreamers after working with a group of young people for a period of time. Mairead realised how much the group enjoyed music and radio work and how engaged they were in the workshops and so decided to build on this success.

As a young person trying to crack the NI media, Mairead understood how limited opportunities/work experience was and so decided Dare Dreamers would be a springboard to support young media enthusiasts by giving them a genuine taste of what it’s like to work in the industry and by developing necessary skills to enhance job opportunities.

“I started my career when I was just 16 years old when I started working at Citybeat,” explained Mairead. “Then in 2011 started working at Cool FM.

“I always dreamt of working at Cool FM and couldn’t believe my dream would actually become a reality

“I combine my experience in radio with theory as I have obtained a degree in CAM (communication, advertising and marketing). Communication plays an important part in workshops as through radio communication skills in young people are developed as well as many others.

“I host various events across Northern Ireland and have DJ residencies including The Wallace, Lisburn where I play every Friday night - so I’m no stranger to the city.

“I’m really looking forward to working with young people at Island Arts Centre in Lisburn - the course is fun, practical and actually quite unique.

“My journey so far in the media industry in Northern Ireland has been awesome and I am grateful that I am doing something I love. I believe other young people shouldn’t be deterred by how competitive or fickle the business is and anything is possible. Dare Dreamers workshops create opportunities and help push people in the right direction to fulfil their dream.”

The workshop runs each day from 10am until 1pm and costs £60. For further information contact the Island Arts Centre on 92 509 509 or log onto www.islandartscentre.com.