Case Study - Creative Confidence Sessions
Inspiring young people to work in the creative industries with ‘Creative Confidence Sessions’
Stourbridge Jobcentre was selected to become part of CBC’s Creative Communities programme in 2020 as part of the organisation’s new programme in Dudley.
Creative Advisor Laura Dicken collaborated with the Job Centre from January 2020 onwards, following conversations with Job Centre Employer Advisor Ruth Trethewey, when it emerged that an increasing number of young people had sought support after expressing an interest in the creative industries.
Changing tact due to COVID
A series of Creative Confidence Sessions aimed at jobseekers aged 18 – 24 was originally planned to take place at the Jobcentre; when the organisation’s physical premises had to close in March due to the COVID-19 emergency, it was agreed that a series the sessions would take place online, led by Laura and featuring a local artist. The setting was informal – participation was not compulsory, users could join for one or more sessions, and stay for part of or an entire session. The sessions started in July and took place once a fortnight in blocks of three each.
The project had two main aims: first, it sought to encourage, support and inspire young people to take part in creative activities and look for work and careers in the creative sectors. Laura and a local artist drew on their own experience and expertise to provide mentoring, support and advice. The second aim of the project was develop a positive working relationship between CBC, the Stourbridge Jobcentre, and with local creative and community networks more in general.
Barriers to participation
Laura was aware that some potential users might have been prevented from participating due to lack of access to an Internet connection, and acknowledged that delivering projects solely online might represent a barrier to access. Aside from this factor, her experience of setting up the sessions was positive and straightforward: she didn’t encounter any difficulties from an organisational perspective and feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive.
The Creative Confidence sessions attracted up to 8 participants each, with around 5 individuals attending several sessions. On one occasion, only one participant attended, but the outcome was still positive as Laura was able to focus all her attention on them and provide detailed and specific guidance. Most of the participants were based in Stourbridge and some were University or college graduates. Due to the relaxed atmosphere of the sessions, participants generally found it easy to talk to Laura and the artist who co-led some of the meetings; they felt at ease and welcome to ask questions.
Some remarked that they valued the possibility of having a safe space in which to talk about creative projects, and that this was especially inspirational and uplifting in the context of the pandemic.
Many of the participants found the advice provided in the sessions useful and encouraging, and they were able to review their portfolios, search and apply for training and job opportunities, and map out their career paths. As a result, one of the participants was accepted onto a course in Computer Games at Dudley College, while a young graduate completed a programme with the Prince’s Trust and found a job at a magazine. Two other graduates secured interviews for jobs in the creative field thanks to the guidance they received at the Creative Confidence sessions. Finally, a musician who had been working as a guitar teacher (but had lost his job due to the pandemic) was encouraged to try alternative creative activities during lockdown and started the process of setting himself up as self-employed.
Overall, Laura felt that both of the initial objectives of the project were achieved in full. As outlined in the previous paragraph, several participants actioned the suggestions she provided during the sessions and reported a positive impact on their career prospects. As someone who comes from a working class background which is similar to many of the participants’, she had suspected, before the start of the sessions, that a programme like this might be needed. The project confirmed and even surpassed her expectations: she was struck by the initiative and talent displayed by the participants and by the lack in provision available to address access needs for those who have no existing contacts in the creative industries.
“These young people are very talented and really want to work, they just have no one to ask for advice!”
The collaboration with the Stourbridge Jobcentre was also very positive: Laura and Ruth worked well together and established a good rapport, even if most of their work had to be done remotely. They were able to communicate openly and honestly, managed expectations, and problem-solved together, and Ruth was very grateful to be able to offer activities like the Creative Confidence sessions. Laura also became aware of several connections between the Jobcentre and other relevant organisations and individuals, which was very useful in terms of networking and community-building.
Finally, the project has opened up the possibility of further links and collaborations between CBC and Stourbridge Jobcentre. Another set of online Creative Confidence sessions is planned for the future, and CBC has invited participants to apply for a position in the selection panel for their Creative Connections commissions. This will hopefully provide the selected individual with a better insight into the creative industries, an understanding of how and why artistic projects are selected, and valuable experience for their future career.