Why I volunteer with Media Trust year after year

Posted 1 July 2019

Akama Davies, Director of Global Solutions and Innovation at Xaxis has been volunteering with Media Trust as a youth mentor and masterclass leader on our Creativity Works Programme for five years. He tells us why he keeps coming back.

The reason I volunteer with Media Trust is because I am passionate about the media industry, but I am even more passionate about making the media industry thrive by attracting the most diverse, innovative and creative talent possible. Media Trust has this in abundance. It’s been a pleasure partnering with them for the past five years at AOL, Oath, Xaxis and We Are Stripes. For me, the chance to share my skills to inspire the next generation is so important and a true honour. 

Akama and colleague Andre with a group of Media Trust trainees on a visit to Oath UK's office last year

Akama and colleague, Andre with a group of Media Trust trainees on a visit to Oath UK's office last year.

Often people see working with Media Trust’s programmes as being about  organisations creating opportunities for young people. But I see it as young people creating opportunities for organisations. Supporting Media Trust has helped to shape our internal culture in multiple ways ranging from giving teams a chance to showcase their talent at industry insights days, providing developmental opportunities through mentoring programmes and interdepartmental collaboration. 

I know I am not alone in saying it’s been one of the most valuable experiences of my career.

Supporting young talent

We’ve also been lucky enough to have several of the young people from the Creativity Works programme join our teams in full time roles. So I would encourage any individuals or companies interested to get involved.  There are many reasons I keep volunteering year after year but the biggest for me is talent.  Media Trust gives so many talented young people a start on their path in the industry. I know I am not alone in saying it’s been one of the most valuable experiences of my career.

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