Hazel O'Keefe

Experience

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  Tribe8Industry

  Sept 1998 - Feb 2004

  Founder and CEO

  Marketing, PR and events management company with contracts from Sony Record, Vespa Lounge, Oak bar. Producing events such as Grrl Rock, Girls on Tour. Band Management and festival coordination.

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  Dulcet Sounds Event Management

  Nov 1998 - now

  Dulcet Sounds are an award winning, Manchester based event management company Manchester who produce live events including the Manchester based Women in Comedy FestivalFounded in 1998 by Hazel O’Keefe Dulcet Sounds curate live events and projects across the UK which support the arts, encourage diversity, celebrate culture, challenge inequalities and provide equality of opportunity. Dulcet Sounds also assist organisations and individuals with bespoke event management offering a wide range of services including DJ and PA hire, photography, design, marketing and PR. Whether your brief is large, small, UK-based or international, last minute or one of the biggest events of your career with 20 years of experience we will help bring your vision to life.Additional services include: Installation of public address systems, provison of sound engineers, comedians, photographers and DJ's . Supply of mobile club/discos and PA systems at events and conferences around the North West. Supporting the development of female sound engineers.The profits from corporate work funds community projects such as free training events, and subsidises cheaper PA and lighting hire for community groups and charity events.Hazel's work was recognised by Manchester City Council who awarded her ‘2014 Women of Arts and Culture.’ A full time self employed consultant, event manager, curator and promotor, who is value and principle driven described as ‘ one of the best people in the North West to deal with. She is passionate, friendly and full of integrity for her work.’ Victoria Cook, CBBC / DNN Presenter evidently an innovative leader ‘O’Keefe has taken a very practical approach to solving the problem of discrimination in the comedy world’ (The Telegraph)‘Hazel has passion and a real knack for doing the impossible’. Amelia Lee Show less Laughing Cows Comedy is a not for profit organisation which has been established since 1998, we showcase international award winning female comics and provide a platform for new up and coming acts.We are based in the UK and run shows in Birmingham, Berlin, Chorlton, Glossop, Hebden Bridge, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Marple, Stockport producing several shows per month supporting local new acts and working with established acts such as Shazia Mirza, Isy Suttie, Jen Brister, Jo Enright, Janice Connolly, Jo Brand ...For more info see our website:www.laughingcowscomedy.co.uk or find us on twitter: laughing_cows or facebook: manchester laughing cows or laughing cows comedy''Laughing Cows have provided me with invaluable support as a new female stand up, its great to get advice from peers who have more experience. The comedy night in Manchester is one of the best comedy nights on the circuit, I love the relaxed atmosphere, intelligent humour and audience participation.'' Shaista Aziz 2010 “Laughing Cows is definitely my favourite gig, it has the best venues/audiences and the atmosphere is always fantastic. I luv em!” Claire Parker“The Most fun I’ve had in years!” Julie Jepson'I love Laughing Cows- in my opinion it is one of the best institutions in the North West, not only do they show some fantastic female comics every month they also nurture new talent and have created a really fantastic social network of lady laughing Cows in Manchester - Hazel O'Keefe I salute you' Victoria Cook‘The comedy scene is so doused in testosterone that it's almost capable of growing a goatee beard and sideburns. Female comedians have been fighting to exhibit their talents and prove their quality over the years, and Laughing Cows is here to help redress the balance’.Manchester Evening News - Marissa Burgess Show less

  • Founder

    Nov 1998 - now

  • Founder

    Nov 1998 - Nov 2021
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  Depaul Trust

  Aug 2002 - Sept 2006

  RSW

  As one of a team of four supporting twelve YP aged 16-25 who have presented as homeless or at risk of homelessness. Shift manager responsible for all aspects of the building. Homelessness assessments, risk assessments, key working, budgeting, healthy living, designing and implementing support plans. Resettlement, liasing with external agencies, multi agency meeting, pathway plans, development, advocating and empowering YP Various roles including (agency) June 2005 – Sept 2006Salford City Council: Operational management of a sixteen-bed direct access hostel for young people ages 16-25. Also responsible for maintaining ‘supporting people’ funding for the service.City Centre Project : Facilitating the drop in centre for young asylum seekers ages 16-25, empowering young people to arrange various workshops and activities to help integrate young refugees into Manchester Show less

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  Manchester City Council

  Jun 2003 - Aug 2006

  Youth Contact Team: Youth worker

  Working with young people aged between 11-25 who are at risk of social exclusion or offending to engage young people into various diversionary and participatory activities.

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  Trafford CYPS

  Sept 2006 - Mar 2011

  Youth and Community Worker

  YStreet Coordinator : Aug 2009 - March 2011Delivery of a Detached youth work provision on Friday and Saturday nights across Trafford in Greater Manchester. Managing a team of project workers and various freelance specialists. Supporting young people to participate in decision-making processes in their local area, supporting in partnership or coordinating community led and focused solutions, supporting capacity building initiatives and developing youth provision such as issue based projects, youth training projects, diversionary activities and / or funding community projects. Supporting the process of social change and challenging agents of social control. Developing and improving relationships with local partners, such as Greater Manchester Police, Community Safety Teams, local councilors, working within the Youth Crime Action Plan. Trafford Children and Young Peoples Services: YISP Project Worker : July 2009 - Aug 2009Project worker for a summer holiday programme working with young people ages 8-13 year old at risk of offending.Trafford Housing Trust: Youth Involvement : April 2007 – July 2009Supporting young people to participate in decision-making processes in their local area, supporting in partnership or coordinating community led and focused solutions, supporting capacity building initiatives and developing youth provision such as issue based projects, youth training projects , diversionary activities and / or funding community projects. Youth Offending Service: Prevention YStreet? Coordinator : Sept 2006 - April 2007Developing existing and new opportunities for diversionary activities for young people aged 8- 19. Managing a staff team, volunteers and freelance workers. Show less

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  Federation for Detached Youth Work

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2010

  Exec Committee member

  became very inspired by the other committee members ...

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  T:Youth Festival

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2008

  Coordinator and event manager

  Youth Training Project with ICA:UK while employed by Trafford Housing Trust.See video clip created for young people working with Lets Go Global for more information:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f21tje5qAaw

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  Community & Youth Work

  Mar 2011 - now

  Director

  Founding and managing director, overseeing all aspects of the company, responsible for the growth of the business, developing and implementing company strategy and ethical practice. Running day to day operations, managerial decision making and providing directional leadership to coordinators of individual projects.Various commissions and projects including:June – Aug 2012Commissioned work for ‘Police with Pride’ Event coordination, marketing, PR and AV for Greater Manchester Polices’ part of the 2012 Manchester Pride event.Sept 2010- June 2011 Commissioned by Trafford Council, Edgerton School to provide one to one support and group work with young people in alternative education. This led to the provision of a bespoke education service, the ‘Turnaround project’April 2011- Feb 2012Creation of Platt Chapel Community Hub Establishment of community arts centre, responsible for all aspects of the building, community engagement and business development. Show less

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  Platt Chapel

  Mar 2011 - Feb 2012

  Founder

  The aim of Platt Chapel is to reclaim and nurture the 16th century chapel and create community projects which will lead to progressive social change.

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  Women In Comedy Festival UK

  Apr 2013 - Feb 2024

  Founding Director

  Described as one of ‘the UK's best comedy festivals’ by the Skinny, Greater Manchester’s Women In Comedy Festival is Europes only comedy festival dedicated to gender equality.Building on the success of Laughing Cows Comedy Night, the first ever UK Women in Comedy Festival was held in October 2013, a cross-collaboration between the growing number of women’s comedy producers, performers and supporters, celebrating all things funny and female. The festival was centred in Greater Manchester and has around 120 events annually in Greater Manchester. Spearheaded by Hazel O’Keefe of Laughing Cows Comedy, this festival was truly collaborative venture. A ‘brilliant, brilliant festival’, full to the brim with female comedic talent. ‘Get it booked, get on down’ is the recommendation from City Life.Actor Maxine Peake joined the team of festival patrons last year. “I’m proud to be supporting the UK Women in Comedy Festival as a patron. A festival filled with laughter combined with feminist principles taking place in the North … what’s not to support!”The festival has grown steadily over the years since the first event in 2013 and encompasses solo shows, open mic events, a comedy writing competition showcases, galas, symposiums, networking events, training, panels, debates and workshops. The Women In Comedy Festival also offers training and mentorship opportunities with industry professionals and other leading creative organisations.‘It’s a very positive event, attracting massive headline acts.’ (Manchester Evening News)www.womenincomedy.co.uk Show less

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  Freelance

  Jun 2021 - May 2023

  Recruitment Specialist The Placement Team

  · An excellent knowledge of Recruitment sector at all levels, you will have vast experience and a passion for engagement, communications, onboarding & retention· Previous experience managing a recruitment team and implementing a recruitment strategy· A strong working knowledge of employment law· Ability to problem solve both operational and strategic issues through a pragmatic and commercially sound approach and based on feedback from the operation· A coach and mentor with a friendly and warm personality, committed to developing people within the business· Passionate and enthusiastic about the industry and our people· Ability to build great rapport and relationships with teams and our people Show less

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  VIY

  Mar 2024 - now

  Youth Engagement Coordinator