Year 13 student Jaden Dixon has had a very busy summer volunteering with 11Arches, the organisation responsible for producing the Kynren live performance event throughout the summer in Bishop Auckland. 

Jaden began volunteering as part of Kynren in 2016 when the event was first established. He played one of the original Arthurs in the show, after his Mum suggested he sign up along with her to perform in the first year. Jaden enjoyed the experience so much that he has continued to take part in the Kynren performance team every summer since then and this summer he has performed in the show with dual roles as a Viking and a Scottish soldier. 

In addition, 11Arches has recognised Jaden’s strong organisational skills and has invited him to join the team running Kynren behind the scenes to learn more about the work which goes on to organise the event.  Consequently Jaden has been able to work closely with the casting department as Casting Assistant this year and Louise Lightfoot, Kynren’s former Casting Director, stated that “I’ve never met anyone on work experience like Jaden. He is so skilled at using his initiative to see gaps.”  More recently Jaden has been working with the Operations Director and has commented “It’s been great for me to see another side of the organisation and find out more about the physical requirements of a site as large as 11Arches, as well as the people required.”

Every year Kynren recruits around 1500 volunteers who can work within a variety of teams both behind the scenes and performing in the show. 11Arches has won the Queens Award for Volunteering as a result of its outstanding achievements in this field. Durham Sixth Form Centre is looking forward to working closely with 11Arches in the future to develop volunteering opportunities for our Sixth Form students.