Work Experience

Get creative. Get experience. For 14-24yrs.

Find out what it's like to work in the creative industries.

Real experience. Real creative work.

Get a taste of what it is like to work in a youth arts organisation.

Our Work Experience programme gives young people the chance to find out what it’s really like to work in the creative industries. You’ll spend time at Second Wave, work alongside our team and young creatives, and get hands-on experience of how a youth arts organisation works. Depending on your placement, you could get involved in filmmaking, photography, writing, drama, music, social media, design, events or project management. You don’t need to have experience already. We’re interested in your ideas, enthusiasm and willingness to get involved.

What will you learn?

Build skills and confidence that you can take with you.

You could develop:
💬 Communication — sharing ideas and working with different people
🤝 Teamwork — contributing to a creative team and understanding different roles
📅 Organisation — planning activities, meeting deadlines and taking responsibility
🎨 Creative skills — developing ideas and solving creative problems
💻 Digital skills — using creative and digital tools
⭐ Confidence — trying new things and taking responsibility
🎯 Industry knowledge — finding out what different creative jobs are actually like

It’s a chance to discover what you’re good at — and what you might want to do next.

For schools & colleges

We work with schools and colleges to provide meaningful work experience.

We can offer creative work experience placements for students aged 14–24, giving young people an insight into the creative industries while developing practical workplace skills, confidence and communication. Placements can include individual students or small groups, depending on availability. We can discuss placement dates, hours, student interests, safeguarding, risk assessments and any requirements from your school or college.
Interested in working with us?
Get in touch to discuss what we can offer.

Where is Second Wave?

In the heart of Deptford!

Walk all the way down Deptford High Street (towards Greenwich side) until you reach Creek Road. There, you will find the big red brick Methodist Mission Building on 1 Creek Road.
Cross the road and when you reach the green doors, ring the Intercom buzzer for Second Wave. Our friendly team will buzz you up! Want helpful directions? Let Wavers be your guide in this 🎥...

Our address 📍

1st Floor. Deptford Mission Building.
1 Creek Road. Deptford. SE8 3BT

Nearest buses 🚌

Deptford High Street Stop
188, 199, or 47 (1-minute walk)
53, 453, 177, or 225 bus (6-minute walk)

Nearest station 🚊

Deptford Station (5-minute walk)
Deptford Bridge DLR (15-minute walk)

Work Experience

Develop your creativity, confidence and event skills
Flexible times

Ask about work experience and work alongside our team on interesting projects.
Come along to our webinars and open days to find out more.

Young Creative Leaders

Developing your leadership skills and potential
Evenings and weekends

Discover your voice and engage positively in your community.
Support your peers, gain qualification and build your skills and CV.
Expenses provided.

Qualifications

Interested in practical and hands-on learning?
Evenings and weekends

Building on Second Wave's groundbreaking work, our qualifications are designed to support young people to develop their skills and confidence in creative leadership, community engagement and youth work.