Corporate Social Responsibility Archives | Page 3 of 11

March is B Corp Month, which celebrates businesses that have achieved certified B Corporation status, a measure of high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Our region has many B Corps. In fact, a report in 2023 said Bristol is home to the most B Corps of any UK city outside of London.

To mark B Corp Month 2025, we put a call out to B Corps in the Bristol Creative Industries community and had a great response. Read about inspiring businesses below, with their tips for how to become a certified B Corporation.

Bristol Creative Industries B Corps

Noughts & Ones

“My biggest piece of advice for businesses considering B Corp certification? Just start! The process may seem intense at first, but once you take that first step, it all becomes much more manageable. The B Impact Assessment gives you a clear benchmark, and it’s quicker to work through than you might think. More importantly, see it as a journey. Every step you take is a step towards becoming a better business for both people and the planet. By simply starting, you’re already making a positive impact!”

Atomic Smash

“To become a successful B Corp focus on embedding sustainability deeply within your company culture. Start by clearly assessing your environmental impact. For example, Atomic Smash made a big step by transitioning a majority of clients’ hosting to providers that solely use renewable energy and prioritising greener digital practices. Regularly evaluate your performance through the B Impact Assessment, ensuring continuous improvement. By transparently integrating these purposeful practices into daily operations and clearly communicating your efforts, your business can successfully attain B Corp status and inspire positive change.”

The Collaborators

“One of the key tips about becoming a B Corp is that you don’t just become one and tick it off your list. Achieving B Corp certification is just the start of the journey. It’s about a wholehearted commitment from the top to the bottom of your organisation to do better business. It affects everything – from Articles of Association and company mission, to choice of suppliers, clients, company policies and so on. No business is perfect, but the B Corp assessment criteria help to set priorities and objectives towards meaningful change so that people and planet are considered equally alongside profit. It’s a huge commitment, but for us, there’s no other way to do business.”

Halo

“Halo was one of the first 1,000 businesses in the UK to become a certified B Corp.

“Becoming a B Corp challenges you to focus on areas often overlooked and helps focus your business into a force for good. There is a lot to do, so I’d say start small—review suppliers, refine policies, and engage employees by letting them choose causes they’re passionate about. Keep it on the leadership agenda, talk and learn from other B Corps.

“The process is about continuous improvement, ensuring accountability and impact. Going green doesn’t mean an overhaul; think local, reduce waste, and measure your footprint- we plant a tree for every invoice we raise. The biggest tip? Just get going.”

Flight Feather

“Our mission is to shape an industry where paid media done the right way delivers client success whilst contributing to stronger communities and a healthier planet.

“This clearly aligns with the B Corp values and the accreditation has helped us focus on how we can expand our purpose.

“We had a mentor, Business on Purpose founder Andy Hawkins, to guide us through the process, which was very helpful. The B Corp community is a valuable one in which working collaboratively is at its core. If you are not sure whether to proceed with the accreditation, feel free to reach out to us (or any other friendly B Corp) and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.”

Aer Studios

“Our mission is to create work that has a positive impact on people and planet, so becoming a B Corp felt like a natural step.

“Our tip is to really make sure that your people are on board with what you’re trying to achieve. B Corp certification isn’t something that a couple of people within the organisation can be solely responsible for. It’s down to everyone playing an active role – from committing to volunteering days to understanding what reproductive policies look like in our agency.

“We take regular opportunities to share what we’re working towards and invite feedback from teams across the business, which is so far proving successful.”

Taxi Studio

“Becoming a B Corp isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about weaving purpose into your business’s DNA. It starts with a genuine commitment to people, clients, the community, and the planet. Prioritise ethical practices, transparency, and accountability.

“Continuous improvement is key; small, meaningful changes create a lasting impact. Use your business as a force for good, challenge the status quo, and resist pressures that push against positive change. The journey to certification is a mindset shift, not just a process. When you do it for the right reasons, everything else falls into place.”

Something Familiar

“First and foremost, you have to truly want to do it. When Something Familiar began our B Corp journey, it was because we wanted to wear our values on our sleeve and embed good practices from the start – ensuring our business grows in alignment with our principles.

“The process is rigorous and constantly evolving, but that’s the point. We started by being honest about where we were, then committed to change, growth, and improvement. It’s not just about policies, it’s about embedding impact into every decision.

“The benefits are super clear too, we’ve forged stronger relationships, engaged teams, and built long-term sustainability. If you’re considering starting your journey, the B Corp community is incredibly open and supportive, ready to guide you along the way.”

Purplefish PR

“Becoming a B Corp isn’t just about earning the certification, it’s about committing to continuous improvement in how your business operates. By embedding its principles into your company culture, you will ensure your team understands and embraces the commitment.

“From producing an annual impact report to recertifying every three years, B Corp principles should be woven into the fabric of your business, not forgotten once the plaque is on the wall. Tracking progress and gathering evidence are key to this. At our company, we hold a monthly B Corp team lunch to review each pillar and share updates. Certification isn’t the finish line–it’s the start of an ongoing journey to balance profit with purpose and drive meaningful impact.”

Lucy McKerron, Purplefish PR (BCI profile | B Corp profile)

Osborne Pike

“Give yourself plenty of time. Use the Impact Assessment questions to inform and guide your company policies and business practices before deciding to go for certification, so that the core values of B Corp are already embedded into your culture.

“Learn from others who have been through it but if you can, engage a consultant. We were guided through the process by Byen which made the whole experience very enjoyable.

“Be thorough and meticulous. Continually record and build your evidence to simplify the submission stage.

“If you have been honest and evidenced everything, you can be confident of your score when you submit.”

AgencyUK

You should become a B Corp because you believe in the philosophy, not because it’ll benefit you, so do it for the right reasons and focus on initiatives that make a real difference to your team, your community and the world around you.

People, Purpose and Planet are the cornerstones of being a B Corp. Get those right then in turn it will benefit your Profit.

It takes time and energy to live your B Corp values. Embed purposeful initiatives into your company culture and objectives to stay focused and on track.

It’s easier (and more impactful) to make a difference if you do so with others! Find your local B Corp community and make partnerships with like-minded businesses around you.

What it means to be a B Corp changes with the times, so be adaptable to new landscapes within society and the planet as a whole.

Rhombus

“My advice? Don’t treat it like a side project. Make it part of how you do things, day to day.

“Get your team involved early, be honest about where you’re falling short and see it as a chance to improve, not just to certify.

“The process can feel heavy at times, but it brings real clarity. For us, it’s helped sharpen our purpose, hold ourselves to a higher standard and shape the kind of clients and collaborators we want to work with. Worth every spreadsheet (and late night!)”

James Ratcliffe, Rhombus (BCI profile | B Corp profile)

Rin Hamburgh & Co

“Going through the process of becoming a B Corp is a little like eating the proverbial elephant – you have to do it one bite at a time.

“It is a big task, but by breaking it down you can make a plan that works with your resources. Try to get as many of your team involved as you can, not only to share the workload but to ensure everyone is on board and actively participating in the process. And don’t forget the wider B Corp community, including B Leaders, who are on hand to answer questions when you get stuck.”

Bright

“The best way to become a B Corp is by not taking it as a set of requirements, but genuinely using them as principles to guide yourself as a business.

“Especially with the upcoming changes, becoming certified is a lot harder if you consider it as the minimum bar to jump. By thinking genuinely about the impact you can and want to make that aligns with who you are as a business it’s far easier to get everyone on board and embed B Corp into your culture, which in turn, makes the accreditation easier too.”

ADLIB

“The more we heard about it the more aligned we felt with it and that it gave us a framework to work towards and ultimately the recognition that we were running the company in the right way.

“The key thing is identifying where you feel as a company you can make a meaningful difference across the five core areas assessed. It’s important everyone has a voice and that you are all working towards the same goals you want to achieve.”

Shaped By

“I’d suggest working through the Business Impact Assessment one section at a time. And take your time. Chip away at tasks little and often to make steady progress. Try to set aside dedicated time each week to move forward.

“Share the workload with your team, so you don’t feel overwhelmed. It’s also important that the process feels authentic. Ideally, you’ll find that many of the policies, procedures, or at least values, are already in place in your company. So going B Corp feels natural and genuine, like the next step in your journey.”

ORCA

“Becoming a B Corp is a transformative journey that reshapes your business around core values centred on people, planet and purpose. At ORCA, these principles have always guided our work, and certification has only strengthened our commitment.

“This process impacts every part of your business, so involve your entire team from the start. Define clear roles and responsibilities to ensure that everyone contributes to the initiatives that drive sustainable change. Embedding these values into daily operations is key, and tapping into the B Corp community for insights and best practices provides invaluable support, reinforcing your mission and driving continuous growth.”

Mila Embury, ORCA (BCI profile | B Corp profile)

Loom Digital

“Get support and carve out time:

“In terms of the application itself, we found some of the questions quite jargon-heavy. So we found it really useful to work with someone who had been through the process who could clarify what sort of information the question needed as a response.

“Having support from an external party also kept us accountable for hitting deadlines around filling in the application. We set aside one day a week during the application process.

“Involve your team:

“It’s impossible for one or two people to do everything. We found that involving the team helped to share some of the responsibilities, as well as adding an element of team-building and fun to the process.”

Karen Pearce, Loom Digital (BCI profile | B Corp profile)

saintnicks

“Becoming a B Corp is just the beginning. Since certification, we’ve partnered with local B Corps to amplify our collective impact.

“We’ve focused on reducing energy consumption by installing new windows. Volunteering with charities like Bristol Zoo Project and St Peter’s Hospice has engaged our team and connected us more deeply to the local community.

“The quickest win? Switching to eco-friendly alternatives like CoCo+ for business travel and Ecosia, the greenest search engine on the planet. It’s the small, habitual changes that make a lasting difference in creating a more sustainable future.”

Sunhouse Creative

“Being a B Corp is a commitment to ongoing positive change rather than a one-time achievement, a journey rather than a destination to tick off.

“What’s worked for us has been small but regular sustainable changes: changes that can be more easily embedded into business processes, adopted by everyone in the business and built on each year.

“Certification is truly a team endeavour but, practically, it helps to have one project leader to coordinate stakeholders and drive progress.”

JonesMillbank

“For us the best advice we can give on how to successfully become a B Corp is simply to do it for the right reasons. If the B Corp set up is right for the values and direction of your business then it’s a no brainer. If however it’s primary use is that of a tool for sales, then reconsider. We’ve noted many controversial and immoral uses of the B logo by organisations hoping it’s a route to easy wins.

“The process of certification was a wonderful and thorough thing for us. It helped us ask questions of ourselves we wouldn’t have normally, set our business on a course for the foreseeable, and helped our team unite under clear and positive values. So our advice would be to enjoy the process with an open and honest mind. Even without certification you will take value from the process.”

Skylark Media

“Becoming a B Corp back in 2022 was a real turning point for us at Skylark. The B Impact Assessment helped us dig into what we were already doing well and where we needed to step up – across governance, team, environment and community.

“My advice? Don’t wait until everything’s perfect – just get started. The Impact Assessment is famously a journey, and with good reason. You’re interrogating every facet of your business.

“In uncertain times, when businesses face economic pressures and competing priorities, it’s easy to let purpose take a back seat. But it’s exactly when people, planet, and integrity are at risk that we need values-led leadership the most.”

Mustard

“Mustard is a Bristol based creative industry recruiter. We started our B Corp journey in September 2023 and we had confirmation of our acceptance in May 2024.

“We were looking for something that people in the business could get behind to increase the “purpose” in their role. We initially shied away from B Corp but when we went to a Bristol meet up and spoke to some people we realised that B-corp was actually it!

“We used an external advisor, the ubiquitous Andy Hawkins, who was a great help in just breaking down things that sound ominous into things that become very achievable. What we found was that we already did a lot of the stuff and that spurred us on to get that confirmation from an external organisation that we were a well-run business who gives a sh**!”

Six

“Involve your team right from the start of your B Corp journey as you can’t do it alone.

“We needed to establish what was important to us and creating a culture where everyone is heard and can contribute means your B Corp statement is authentic and owned.

“We also would recommend being transparent, while creativity can be a force for good we also needed to be upfront with the sectors that we work in that can be playing catch up as they navigate change in sustainability.”

As we settle into 2025, the ongoing cost of living crisis and economic volatility continue to strain both employees and employers, with many employees facing heightened financial insecurity.

So how can you optimise your benefits budget without cutting value? The first step is to discover how to reallocate wasted spend, secure better pricing, and leverage tax-efficient benefits to maximise impact.

Managing employee benefits, cost control is always on the agenda. But savings don’t have to come at the expense of employee experience. With a smart approach to benefits design, companies can reallocate wasted spend to more impactful benefits – or a better benefits platform to help you manage it all. This makes the most of your existing budget while boosting value for employees.

This practice is sometimes referred to as “cost-neutral benefits,” but the reality is more nuanced. While some companies can identify and redistribute significant savings, others may already be optimising their spend. Either way, a strategic review of benefits is always worth the effort.

Here are three key ways employers can find opportunities to optimise their benefits budget:

A common mistake? Investing in benefits that employees don’t value. Recent key research tells us that there is low appreciation levels from employees for their benefits.

For example, a Bristol Creatives startup made up of mostly employees in their twenties might be overfunding its life insurance policy, as employees in this age group are less likely to engage with life insurance. By scaling back the coverage from 10x to 2x cover, they could free up a big chunk of their spend—money that could be reinvested in wider range of more relevant benefits, or a platform that helps manage the administrative burden of benefits.

But before you go cutting less utilised benefits, remember: there are some benefits that few employees might use, but that are highly valuable and even life changing to them when they do, such as reproductive assistance or critical illness cover. It’s important to balance these factors when assessing your benefits. Speaking to a benefits design expert will be your best bet to strike that balance.

‍Cost savings aren’t just about what you offer, but also how you fund it. Many companies lose money by not negotiating the best rates with insurers or missing out on more efficient financial structures.Here are some key ways to make the most of funding:

By optimising financial structures, companies can often unlock significant savings without compromising on benefits quality.

‍Another overlooked opportunity is tax-efficient benefits, particularly salary sacrifice schemes. These allow employees to exchange part of their salary for benefits, reducing both employer and employee tax contributions.For employers, this means that you’re able to offer amazing benefits like electric vehicle leasing schemes and even grocery schemes…at no cost to you!

For employers not already leveraging these benefits, the savings can be substantial, especially on National Insurance contributions. Yet many organisations fail to fully utilise these tax advantages, leaving money on the table.

Not every company will uncover huge savings—but almost all can optimise their approach. By identifying low-value spend, negotiating better financial models, and leveraging tax-efficient benefits, Business leaders and HR provide a significantly improved offering without increasing their spend.

Want to find out where your organisation can unlock savings? Book a free benefits audit consultation with me –same budget, bigger results.

Rhombus achieves B Corp UK Certification, joining a community of businesses dedicated to making a positive impact.

Bristol-based design studio Rhombus has officially achieved B Corp certification, joining a global community of businesses committed to balancing profit with purpose.

Rhombus has prioritised more than design, working with organisations that share its values of sustainability, ethical business practices and social responsibility. B Corp provides a recognised framework to continue improving, ensuring accountability, and reinforcing the company’s dedication to purpose-driven partnerships.

The Path to Certification

Attaining B Corp status required a deep reflection on business values, operational impact, and areas for improvement. The rigorous certification, overseen by the nonprofit B Lab, evaluated Rhombus on its social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. While the certification is a proud achievement, the studio views it as the beginning of a longer journey toward continuous progress.

A Commitment to Positive Impact

By joining the B Corp movement, Rhombus strengthens its pledge to foster sustainable and ethical design solutions. Moving forward, the company will focus on key areas including:

A collective effort

The certification is a testament to the dedication of the Rhombus team, whose commitment to using design as a force for good has been instrumental in this success. From rethinking internal processes to championing sustainability in every project, their efforts have been central to the studio’s evolution.

A special acknowledgment goes to Future Shift, a consultancy that played a vital role in guiding Rhombus through the B Corp certification process. Their expertise was invaluable in navigating the requirements and securing this important recognition.

Looking ahead

With B Corp certification in place, Rhombus remains committed to driving positive change within the creative industry. This milestone represents not just an achievement but an ongoing responsibility to push the boundaries of ethical and sustainable design.

“B Corp certification is about contributing to a wider movement of businesses committed to using business as a force for good,” says Co-founder James Ratcliffe. “We’re excited to keep pushing boundaries, collaborating with like-minded organisations and progressive founders to solve the problems of tomorrow.”

About Rhombus

Rhombus is a Bristol-based branding agency and now a B Corp UK Certified business. We partner with progressive people and organisations to build brands that move the world forward.

About B Corp Certification

B Corps meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, proving that business can be a force for good.

About Future Shift

Future Shift is a sustainability consultancy helping businesses navigate B Corp and Net Zero certification. Their guidance was instrumental in our certification journey.

Nine Tree Studios, Bristol’s biggest independent studio, has launched a WhatsApp Community to give back to local filmmakers, photographers, creatives, and production companies.

Primarily it’s a free loyalty programme offering studio discounts and freebies, including:

There’s also groups for advice and jobs, and private channels for production companies and studios to collaborate and share advice.

“We’ve always wanted our space to be able to support Bristol’s creative community” said Russell Jones, Co-Founder of Nine Tree Studios.

“Nowadays email newsletters feel old and clunky and aren’t really suited to what we wanted, like offering free studio hire to those who need it, and promoting and discussing events.”

“By virtue of having members we also hope it’ll be a space for freelancers, screen professionals, studios and production companies to share advice, post jobs, collaborate, and generally chit-chat.”

Suitable for set builds, commercial productions, photography and HETV, the space features two main studios – a 4,640sq ft soundstage and a 567sq ft infinity cove – plus a podcast suite, green rooms, production offices and a 9,000sq ft backlot.

We were delighted to take part in this year’s Discover! Creative Careers Week, an industry-led initiative designed to provide young people aged 11-18, from England, with encounters and experiences of the creative industries through in-school, workplace and online opportunities.

The sessions, managed by Bristol Creative Industries membership and operations manager Alli Nicholas and internship programme manager Clare Leczycki, featured talks about life in the creative sector, myth busting, the huge variety of different roles, and career pathways.

In between the talks, the young people were split into groups to research roles in the industry and consider their own values. They also worked on an example marketing campaign, including the problem they were they trying to solve and the marketing strategy. At the end of the final day, they presented their ideas.

We were really impressed by the young people who took part. Big thanks to attendee Imani Joseph-Obiorah for sharing this great post about the first day. Click on the image to read a larger version on LinkedIn.

The agencies

Here are great posts from some of the agencies about why they took part and their experiences during the events:

Bristol Creative Industries Talent Programme

A key focus at Bristol Creative Industries is boosting workforce diversity in creative businesses and helping to grow the talent pipeline for our members.

Is there a creative resurgence in the low carbon, green sector in Bristol and Bath? Or has it been ticking away, quietly waiting, during recent years?

Bristol and Bath have always been key cities in driving forward the UK’s green and sustainability sectors – it’s part of the region’s DNA. Yet other UK hotspots seem to have taken more of a lead in developing this most vital of economic industries. Delightfully, we have recently seen multiple announcements about Bristol and Bath businesses with insightful, clever green products and inventions. Hopefully they will go beyond Bristol PR coverage and Bristol marketing to gain awareness across the UK, and potentially further.

For OggaDoon, highlighting innovative companies like the ones mentioned here is more than just showcasing future success stories; it’s about championing the bold ideas shaping a more sustainable future. Sharing their progress and getting excited about their work can be a way to inspire others to think creatively about solutions to common issues and encourage broader support for green advancements that extend beyond Bristol and Bath.

We know that sustainable businesses can come from any sector, as long as they care about helping the environment and saving our planet through innovative products and services that change the way society behaves. At OggaDoon, we’re committed to amplifying voices like these and driving awareness of sustainable innovation. You can learn more about our experience in green PR and low carbon marketing on our website – or head over to our blog to read more of our takes on what’s important in the PR and marketing landscape right now.

On 24^th September, the Prime Minister announced plans to change apprenticeships to provide greater flexibility – in response, we had a great roundtable at the Engine Shed, with inputs from all aspects of the apprenticeship picture. This article focusses on support.

There are important steps leading up to apprenticeships, from work experience to more formal bootcamps. Jane Coulter previously worked for IntoFilm, and now runs the West of England Film/High-End TV Workforce Development Programme from The Bottle Yard studios. It is designed to de-mystify the industry and open up those craft roles that range from camera, lighting and locations to set building and costume. It’s just started its 3^rd round with an Intro Webinar on October 7^th with 100 participants, and a process that whittles those down to provide a 5-week course for the 20 top candidates, hosted online and at The Bottle Yard. So far, 15 people have been taken on by the production companies working at the Studios or other businesses servicing production in the region .

The programme is funded by the West of England Combined Authority, but this funding ends in March 2025 and other sources are currently being explored. Can we identify the natural next step for public-sector support?

Jane Deane and Katie Green from the Western Training Providers Network connects training and education providers across the West of England to share opportunities, best practices, and collaborate for maximum impact. It also operates the region’s Levy Share scheme, in which companies with a payroll more than £3m and thus subject to the Levy can gift their payment to other companies.

Research: identifying apprenticeship standards and crafting a bespoke Apprenticeship Development Plan tailored to the company needs.

Find a Training Provider: arranging meetings, facilitating handovers, and assisting with paperwork once the provider has been selected.

Advertise: helping to write ads to attract diverse applicants, creating promotional materials, and sharing vacancies via the WTPN network and social media.

Funding Options: exploring available funding based on the apprentice’s age.

Set Up for Success: Supporting with shortlisting, interviews, and contracts to ensure a smooth start

And they’re easy to find – based in Engine Shed, and with regular drop-in sessions :

Future Space, Stoke Gifford, Bristol – The first Thursday of the Month, 10am – 12.00pm

The latest addition to the WTPN support network is the BBC! – Louise Brown is their Industry Partnership Manager.

Funding covers the training cost, but not the apprentices’ wages. The final thought from the meeting was “Why Not?”

The creative sector is rapidly evolving, with new talents and innovative minds shaping industries such as graphic design, media production, games and animation, art, photography, performance, theatre, fashion, and design. To ensure this sector remains vibrant and continues to thrive, it’s crucial that we support the next generation of creatives, offering them the resources and connections to jump-start their careers.

At Weston College and University Centre Weston, we’re dedicated to nurturing the talent of tomorrow through a wide range of creative pathways. Whether learners dream of becoming graphic designers, media producers, animators, or fashion designers, our courses equip them with the skills, experience, and knowledge necessary to succeed in today’s competitive job market. But there’s a vital element that makes this journey complete: real-world engagement from creative businesses.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bazalgette-review-sets-recommendations-for-continued-growth-of-uks-creative-industries

Employers supporting FE and HE providers offer crucial curriculum overviews which is needed for all learners. Without this, we are unable to prepare them for their future career and, simply put; they will not be industry ready. We value the support from employers who can be involved from a curriculum perspective, who offer projects, workplace experiences and more so we can provide robust, ready and industry savvy individuals. The Creative Sector businesses can inspire learners during their study through this engagement. We have found that this is especially vital for learners unable (or not looking) to go to university; or that want to stay local and contribute to their local economy. They can hear, experience and look to local employers for their next steps into industry.

If you’re a local business in the creative sector, now is the time to step forward and engage with emerging talent. There are countless opportunities to connect with learners and help shape their future careers. We’re calling on creative companies to work with us by offering guest lectures, work experience placements, project work or attending our career events. Your involvement can make all the difference, providing learners with invaluable industry insights and hands-on experience that will give them the edge they need to flourish post-education.

This November, Weston College is hosting its annual careers event, which will bring together over 1,000 FE and HE students. This is a fantastic opportunity for creative businesses to meet fresh, enthusiastic talent and discover how they can contribute to the growth of local industry. Whether you’re looking to exhibit, scout new recruits, or simply share your experiences, we encourage you to take part. The event will be held in Weston-super-Mare on the 19th of November.

Weston College is passionate about supporting learners who want to stay local and contribute to the creative economy in the region. With Bristol 30 minutes away by train, learners are keen to look at exploring careers on offer. By partnering with us, you’re not only supporting the career aspirations of young creatives but also fostering a robust local workforce that can fuel innovation in your own business. Our creative pathways provide a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to make their mark in graphic design, media production, games and animation, art, photography, theatre, and more.

We believe that by building strong connections between education and industry, we can create a thriving creative community in Weston-super-Mare and beyond. We are here to support our learners but we also support business and want to listen, act and implement skills needed.

If you’re a creative business eager to inspire and work with emerging talent, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re interested in delivering a guest lecture, offering work experience, or promoting career opportunities, there are many ways to get involved. Your support can open doors for our learners and help develop the future of the creative industries.

For businesses interested in exhibiting at our annual careers event or partnering with Weston College in any capacity, please email us at [email protected] to register your expression of interest. Our passion is to support learner and industry so please do get in touch.

James Ellis, Business Development Manager at Creative Alliance talked through their approach. They have a team of 30 people operating from Birmingham, and providing blended learning for the apprentices they support – 1:1 coaching, seminars and peer learning as well as training. It’s part of a “spiral staircase” approach, where each step for the individual leads to an opportunity. James’ slide deck is below.

They provide particular support to neurodiverse people – those with lateral thinking and creative brains that may not fit conventional education.They work with corporates who pay the Apprenticeship Levy as well as microbusinesses, with schemes at Level 3 (A Level), Level 4 (Foundation degree) through to Level 7 (Masters) to cover Production Management.Apprenticeships are a great way to develop your established team – local companies such as Our Media currently focus on this benefit. You can watch James’ presentation below.

Lydia Thornton from Professional Apprenticeships talked through how apprenticeships can address issues of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and are especially relevant in areas of defined deprivation such as South Bristol. Their apprenticeships focus on Content Creation, Marketing and more technical pathways. They focus on 18-24s, many of whom have studied film and photography. Their advice includes things such as the value of having a driving licence – something many young people don’t consider – or can’t afford.

Nick Young-Wolfe moved for the Creative Youth Network to set up MUTI Live – providing apprenticeships and Skills Bootcamps across a wide range of professions in the live arts & events sector, for people at all stages of their career. He made the point that most careers guides in schools and colleges simply don’t know about the type of jobs in the industry, and that apprenticeships are the only route into the industry that is not debt-laden.

Infact, whilst apprenticeships may lead to university (or university-equivalent qualifications) whilst people are also earning a living, attending university shuts off access to apprenticeships!

Rachel Drummond Hay and Kibibi White from Drummer TV brought the industry perspective.

Rachel pointed out that creative microbusiness need to have 18 months of funded business ahead in order to host an apprentice (something that could be helped by the “flexi-job” approach, with multiple hosts, but is very challenging to organise). Drummer have years of learning from a strong work-experience programme as the first step in the “staircase”, and take on apprentices from that talent pool because they can learn their craft in “the Drummer Way”, when many graduates have to “unlearn” their practices to make their way inside the industry.

A strong learning culture within the company is a key to success. Kibibi is their latest recruit, supported by Cirencester College, and learning both inside and outside the office on an 80:20 model with roughly 1 day per week in the classroom. Duncan Fraser from A Productions pointed out that the “classroom time” can be front-loaded into the apprenticeship period with a 2-week block that can help get the apprentice work-ready.

Carmela Carrubba from Real SFX is also a passionate advocate for apprenticeships. Headquartered in Cardiff but now setting up at The BottleYard Studios, they have adapted the Level 3 Creative Digital Media apprenticeship to include special effects. Bizarrely, this can be done with the Welsh CDM course, but not the one in England… They have an 80% retention rate for their apprentices.

These are the people that are making apprenticeships work for our sector, and their companies are benefitting hugely. With the government also looking to energise skills development, we’ll look at the support that’s available in next week’s article.

Community-based youth charity Young Bristol has become the third South West charity to win a place on the region’s Noble Deeds programme.

Set up in 2021 by Bristol-based SME Noble, the Deeds programme provides digital marketing training & support to not-for-profits, helping them deliver vital services in the area. Increasing in-line with Nobles’ own turnover, this year the support package stands at £25,000. Young Bristol will use this to upskill its marketing team and ensure its services reach the young people who need them the most

Supporting children and young adults aged 8-25 during their critical out of school hours in some of the most challenging areas of the city, Young Bristol’s mission is to provide innovative programmes that create a positive and sustainable impact on the lives of young people

With eight community youth clubs across Bristol, a mobile youth club on wheels, outdoor activity centres and an employment programme just part of what the charity offers, the support from Noble will help the Young Bristol team prioritise where its digital marketing efforts will make the most impact. As well as helping the team to learn new skills and maximise their knowledge of social media, SEO and other digital promotion techniques for a lasting impact beyond the Deeds programme

Lucy Saunders, Head of Fundraising & Development, Young Bristol, explains; “We are thrilled to be the selected charity for this year’s Noble Deeds programme. It is an incredible opportunity for our organisation to gain valuable experience and support from a team of experts. Their support will make a big difference, not only by up-skilling our team and improving our digital marketing, but also by helping us to further our reach and services to even more young people.”

With numerous deserving causes across the city that could benefit from the Deeds programme, choosing just one recipient is difficult. Previous winners have included homelessness charity Emmaus Bristol and South Bristol social enterprise Heart of BS13

Lorenzo Campbell, chair of Noble’s UK Deeds committee, said; “It’s not easy to choose between the many worthwhile entries to Deeds we receive. However, Young Bristol gives us the opportunity to work with a charity that reaches the communities right across Bristol who need their help the most. Making sure young people get the right start in life is so crucial and the passion the Young Bristol team has for that is inspiring.

“The impact the charity has can be life-changing for young people and leaves a real lasting legacy. Hopefully by helping the team enhance their own knowledge and digital marketing skills we can help them make that impact as long-lasting as possible.”

The Noble Deeds initiative was originally started over twenty-years ago by Nobles’ parent [KS1] company in Nevada, North America. Mirroring the US programme, the winning not-for-profit is chosen by an employee-led committee, with the UK Deeds programme opening every June at a free ‘Be Better Bristol’ event for local charities and businesses

The Noble team then work alongside the winning charity from September through to February each year helping them to achieve their specific objective