Press release, August 2021 : Collaborative Future launches a work placement programme for Nottingham creatives

Collaborative Future 2021 interns - Nuriya, Laura. Shanice, Anne-Marie, Jane and Becky (Tracy not pictured)

Building on the success of their programmes which ran entirely remotely during COVID without any Government financial support, the Collaborative Future team are now relaunching a Nottingham based programme for creatives - and applications to be a part of it are open now! Starting in September, the Collaborative Future team will once again create a powerful, resilient and creative community, this time by bringing together 7 diverse young people with a small group of freelancers and business owners working within the creative industry. Tess Cooper, the Founder of Collaborative Future says:

“One of the ways we can build a more resilient and inclusive economy going forward is by creating new ways of working. Be it by showing young people that they have the power and support to pursue their passions and talents, or by improving the practices, leadership and perspectives seen within creative businesses.”

For young people, the programme has the dual purpose of providing meaningful, fairly paid and flexible work placements with a variety of creative businesses, while giving individuals space to build their portfolios or develop business ideas. Those who have interacted with the programme through the interview process or through taking part have found the approaches to be nurturing, and empowering, celebrating each individual's differences. Jane, 24 who used the programme to dip her toes into a freelance way of working, says:

"Working at Collaborative Future has given me a completely different perspective on previous jobs I've had. Practices and cultures which I thought were pretty good as young person starting out in work now seem questionable at best, and this programme has set a much healthier bar to measure future employers against"

For small and micro businesses, the programme offers flexible access to diverse talent in order to grow sustainably and remove pressures from sole-traders. Rachael Van Oudheusden, Founder of Big Old House, a Nottingham based PR, Marketing and Copywriting business said:

"Being involved with Collaborative Future from the initial pilot and seeing it grow into such a successful initiative providing young people with work experience opportunities in the creative industries has been really rewarding for our business. Working with interns and the CF team has given us the chance to get insights and fresh perspectives on projects and processes. We've been able to network with other creative businesses and share advice and contacts."

Unlike traditional employability schemes, Collaborative Future's approach also creates a mutually beneficial relationship for businesses and interns alike. By providing collective learning opportunities through mentoring, coaching and events, it enables each individual involved to challenge and grow their mindset in a safe environment.

While a small proportion of the programme will be funded by the Government's Kickstart Scheme, in order to fully support and nurture young people through, for example, paying a London Living Wage, Collaborative Future is continually supported by the freelance and small business community which believes in the power bringing different people together has on changing the system of work as we know it. Janice Gittens, a Coach who has been involved in the making and continuous building up of Collaborative Future and its community says:

"The programme itself is trailblazing in that it provides organisations with a way to contribute to systemic change, to retract from hierarchical models and embrace our values based on equity and mutual respect."

The Creative Futures programme is now open for applications from Nottingham based, creative young people aged 18-24, who are in receipt of Universal Credit. Deadline for applications is 20th August 2021. The Collaborative Future team is also seeking creative freelancers to get involved. Find out more about Creative Futures programme here, or get in touch with the team by emailing hello@collaborativefuture.co.uk.