The Roundhouse Live Events Internship gives young people from underrepresented backgrounds the chance to gain real, paid experience in the music and events industry.

Through a three-year Portal Trust grant, we’re delighted to support six young people to take part in this internship programme. This includes spending two days a week working at the Roundhouse, alongside placements at Glastonbury Festival and the Jamal Edwards Self Belief initiative.

Maysa recently completed the internship, and her experience shows how it gives young people the skills, confidence, and insight to build a career in the music and creative industries. We asked Maysa to share with us what the experience was like for her.

Maysa told us:

“The Roundhouse has always been on my radar. My mum used to bring her students here to use the creative studios, so I grew up knowing it as a place where young creatives could freely express themselves, go in with an idea, leave with a product - coming back years later as an intern felt full-circle. The building already held stories from my mum and her students; now it was my turn to make my mark.

“The internship wasn’t just with the Roundhouse. It was also with JE.S.B., which was built in memory of Jamal Edwards. Jamal’s work gave a whole generation platforms that didn’t exist before, and that’s the kind of impact that lasts. Being part of something tied to his name made me think about my future. Not what I want to do for myself, but what kind of opportunities and resources I want to create for others.

"The mentoring provided through JESB has been one of my highlights from the internship. Saskia gave me their time, let me shadow their work, and treated my questions seriously. That meant a lot. It was the first time I felt like I wasn’t just watching from the sidelines - I was part of the room. “

Maysa continued:

“It was also my first time in an office-style job. Things like sorting out an extended DBS, using a laminator or figuring out office dynamics felt new. Not everything was easy. At times there were challenges and differences of opinion but that reaffirmed to me something important: you’re not always going to click with everyone on everything, and professionalism is how you handle that.

“Through the internship, I also worked with Greenpeace at Glastonbury Festival. Glastonbury is an experience - the music, the mud, the madness. But with Greenpeace, I wasn’t there for the party. I was part of something that mattered. Helping with their campaigns showed me how activism sits alongside culture. People came for music but left with something bigger on their minds. It made me relaise that creativity and activism aren’t separate lanes; they feed each other.

“Looking back, this was my first impact, the first time I felt a part of spaces that shaped me while I was shaping them back. From my mum’s connection to the Roundhouse, Jamal Edwards’ and the fields of Glastonbury with Greenpeace, every part left me with valuable skills and experiences I’ll carry forward.”

As Maysa’s story shows, the Roundhouse Live Events Internship gives young people the opportunity to develop in-demand skills while preparing for careers in the music industry.

We’re proud to support the Roundhouse to help more young people access paid work experience and develop skills that will support them in their future careers.

Click here to learn more about the internship.