Interviews

I am aiming to interview as many people as I can for this module to help me gain in-depth qualitative research. Getting information from knowledgeable individuals is a lot better than browsing the internet for relevant links as I can ask straight questions and get direct answers. The one thing I do have to be really careful with is influencing answers when on the subject of charity. Each question needs to be open ended giving the person being questioned the opportunity to answer fairly without being guided.

Next Friday, I have arranged an interview with an lady currently studying her BA in Events Management; Hannah Akram. I am looking forward to this because she will be able to give me information on what is expected of an event and her experiences with successes and failures. Hannah will also be able to link me to the relevant staff within her faculty, so I can further my network of contacts and speak to professionals about events management. At this moment in time, I haven't complied a list of questions to ask, but will have done so before the middle of next week so I am prepared in advance for what I will ask and discuss. It will be a completely informal meeting in a relaxed atmosphere.

My next meeting with Mark Webster is on the 17th April. This will give me the perfect opportunity to thoroughly quiz him on aspects of everything I have looked in to so far. There are many questions I have lined up. Firstly, I will make sure he fully updates me on the Fringe Festival, then I will enquire about his experiences within charitable organisations and the organisation of events. More general questions that I want his opinion on will be saved till the end because he may cover them when talking about his own practice.

The co-ordinators for the Fringe Festival; B-Arts, are definitely on my list to talk to. They have a lot of experience when it comes to organising and managing events, as well as being hands on helping the community through various projects. Trevelyan Wright leads the organisational development programme within B-Arts and from a short 5 minute introduction before a meeting, I found out that he has a head full of pure gold. The information he has stored could help me a great deal as he studied about funding within charities. He warned me that it is a very competitive field in which I am trying to enter. I will be working with Trevelyan a lot throughout Fringe. 

Finally... For now. Ben McManus, the community facilitator for B-Arts and another member of the co-ordinator team I am working with, is a valuable contact to have within my line of research because of the amount he contributes to those in communities less fortunate. "Ben has worked extensively in North Staffordshire in direct, dynamic, hands- on cultural projects since 2002 with hard to reach groups such as asylum seekers and refugees, young people and challenged and excluded communities." - B-Arts. Even though I want to predominantly work abroad, starting off in the UK and working my way through is the best starting point. Questions that I will be asking Ben will have a focus around what he does to help, how he got in to it and how does he stay a success. I'll also ask him if he knows what kind of job opportunities are out there when wanting to get involved with such projects.

As I interview these individuals, there will be other names that pop up and potential candidates for divulging information.