Following a competitive pitch, SIM7 has been selected by the British Council as a key agency on its framework to supply services over the coming years.
SIM7 will work in partnership with the British Council’s international marketing teams, creating strategic messaging, copywriting and content to drive the organisation’s global initiatives.
This work will involve developing digital and OOH campaigns, creating assets across all channels, and supporting the British Council’s extensive international outreach.
SIM7 will join a handful of leading UK agencies selected to support the British Council’s strategic goals.
About the British Council
The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Operating in over 100 countries worldwide, the British Council builds connections, understanding, and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education, and the English language, reaching millions of people annually.
Says SIM7’s Simeon de la Torre, “As an agency with extensive international experience, this is a perfect partnership for us. We’re excited about working on some of the most significant cultural and educational initiatives globally, and empowering the British Council by delivering the effective messaging that we’re known for.
“Our capabilities closely align with the British Council’s mission to promote and uphold the English language worldwide. Our expertise will enhance the British Council’s efforts to make English accessible to learners across diverse cultures and backgrounds. Through innovative campaign strategies and engaging content, we’ll support the British Council’s role as a global leader in English language teaching and assessment.
“We’re looking forward to connecting with the international communities that the British Council fosters and supports.”
“The British Council is one of the best names in the industry for cultural exchange and educational opportunity, and the SIM7 team are all keen to help them deliver their mission of building connections between the UK and the rest of the world.”
SIM7 is an award-winning creative agency that uses language to empower design. We drive growth by creating brands, campaigns and strategy – for marketing teams around the world. Our experience in international education extends to universities, leadership organisations, business schools and more. For more information, contact Simeon de la Torre sim@sim7creative.co.uk
Business Leaders & HR are under a lot of pressure here in the South-West. Employer NI increases are now with us, limited budgets, and rising expectations from talent. So, when you’re building out a benefits package, it’s natural to prioritise the ones that tick the “most people, most of the time” box. But if you want your benefits strategy to build loyalty, protect productivity, and future-proof your workforce, you must think differently. In my experience, utilisation isn’t always the right way to measure the success of a benefit. Some benefits might only impact a handful of people, but for those people, it can mean everything. If we’re serious about inclusive benefits, we must meet people where they are, even if that need isn’t common.
Because some of the highest-impact benefits are the ones your employees won’t use often. They’re the ones that quietly sit in the background until someone has a real need and suddenly, that benefit becomes the reason they stay, not leave. What do I mean by that? Here’s some examples of what that looks like in practice.
For example, Fertility & Reproductive Health Benefits. Offering fertility support (Egg freezing, IVF, donor support, surrogacy navigation) can feel and sound like a niche benefit. Most employees won’t use it. So why invest?
Because the absence of support comes with hidden costs. Research tells us that 1 in 7 UK couples experience fertility issues. IVF takes a physical and emotional toll: constant appointments, hormonal treatments, failed cycles…all while employees try to show up at work. Many reduce hours, take sick days, or even quietly leave during treatment. Others are forced to spend tens of thousands privately, causing financial and emotional stress. This disproportionately affects women in their 30s and 40s. But it doesn’t stop there: LGBTQ+ employees face unique financial and medical hurdles to build families. Without support, they’re more likely to churn or disengage. Offering benefits here isn’t just about doing the right thing; it’s about retaining high-value talent at a moment when they have big life choices to make. And for every employee who doesn’t use it? They see the offer. They see what kind of employer you are.
Keeping on the similar theme, another example is keeping Workplace Nursery Schemes. Childcare is the *1 reason working parents (especially mothers) scale back or leave the workforce. It’s not anecdotal. It’s backed by data across every sector. Workplace nursery salary sacrifice schemes reduce the cost of registered childcare by allowing payments from gross salary. This can mean thousands saved per year. And not from your HR budget, but via tax-efficient mechanisms. It’s one of the most financially meaningful benefits you can offer parents, yet uptake remains low in most organisations. Why? Because many employers don’t make the most of communicating it. Offering this benefit (and making it visible) removes one of the biggest logistical and emotional barriers to returning after parental leave. And it doesn’t just keep people in their jobs; it helps them re-engage faster, with fewer compromises and more long-term commitment.
Finally, another example are Income protection and Critical Illness benefits. When an employee becomes seriously ill or injured, it’s not just a health crisis, it’s a life interruption. Suddenly, work becomes impossible. And without structured support, income often disappears just when stability is needed most. Income protection fills that gap. It ensures an employee continues to receive a portion of their salary while they recover, allowing them to focus on getting better, not on whether they can pay their mortgage. And that continuity materially improves the odds of a full, confident return to work.
For Business Leaders and HR, this is where lower-utilisation benefits prove their worth. Income protection shortens recovery time, reduces presenteeism, and increases the likelihood that skilled, experienced employees don’t exit permanently. And when other team members see that their employer has their back, even in worst-case scenarios, it builds a level of trust that policies alone can’t buy.
All the above examples do not scale…and that’s the point!
Low-utilisation benefits aren’t supposed to serve everyone, every day. They’re designed to catch people in their most vulnerable, high-stakes moments. That trust is a lever for everything you care about retention, engagement, productivity, culture.
Business Leaders and HR often get told to “think creatively & strategically.” (This is the Bristol Creative’s Community, right?) Here’s the truth: empathy is strategic. Investing in benefits that show foresight, nuance and care is how you build a workforce that stays, grows and delivers. Because when your employees are most in need, they won’t care about your summer social. They’ll care about whether you were there when it counted.
And if you were? They won’t forget it.
UWE Bristol and Bristol Creative Industries (BCI) have formed a new partnership to support Bristol’s thriving creative businesses and provide enhanced careers opportunities to students entering the industry.
Bristol Creative Industries is one of the UK’s leading membership bodies for businesses and freelancers working in the creative sector. The not-for-profit organisation provides training and skills development, facilitates networking and business connections and supports sector growth, and currently has a membership of over 1,100. UWE Bristol will play a leading role in developing BCI’s student engagement and growing student membership.
With a rich creative and cultural sector in Bristol and the wider region, the partnership has been designed to offer insight and career opportunities to thousands studying courses rooted in the creative industries, including marketing, events, filmmaking, photography, media and communications.
Current and recent students can join BCI for free. Student members will have access to speaker events, placement and employment opportunities, and career advice from BCI members, which currently include Aardman, the Watershed and Bottle Yard Studios, giving students real-world experience and insight into working in the industry.
The partnership also aims to benefit BCI members, by developing a network of trained students who will make up the future workforce within the region and are ready to enter the industry.
Lynn Barlow, UWE Bristol’s Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Creative and Cultural Industries Engagement, said:
“This is a really exciting opportunity for students and for Bristol’s creative industries more widely, as we support Bristol Creative Industries’ strong network of businesses and freelancers with fresh student talent. We’re really proud to be playing a leading role in such an important organisation.
“At UWE Bristol, our programmes are designed with industry to ensure our students are meeting the needs of their future employers and are work-ready. Our partnership with BCI bolsters this further, by offering students greater access to creative businesses of all sizes for invaluable industry insight and career opportunities.”
UWE Bristol and BCI officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the University’s Bower Ashton campus, which will commit both organisations to developing and supporting BCI’s student membership offering.
Lis Anderson, Bristol Creative Industries co-chair, said:
“Talent and skills development is a top priority for our members and this partnership will facilitate early access to emerging talent for our members, at scale.
“Building upon strong connections with education providers in the region, UWE Bristol’s breadth of programmes and BCI’s membership base of employers will work to bridge the gap between education and industry, enabling many students from a wide variety of backgrounds to unlock new opportunities and career pathways right here from the creative hub that is Bristol.”
This article has previously appeared on the ADLIB Blog.
In this Women In Design feature, we caught up with Vee Rogacheva, Head of Product Design at Go.Compare which is part of Future Plc.
Vee emphasizes the importance of empathy, accessibility, and diversity in her work. She also highlights the unique contributions women bring to design, the need for mentorship, and the importance of owning your career to unlock opportunities for growth and success.
Could you please introduce yourself as well as your background?
Hi, I’m Vee Rogacheva, and I’m the Head of Product Design at Go.Compare which is part of Future Plc. I lead a team focused on building experiences that help millions of people across the UK save money.
Go.Compare is a regulated business and the design team is responsible for helping users achieve their financial goals. Our solutions are informed by deep understanding of users, grounded in research, and from the synergy between cross-functional teams and experts.
Before joining Go.Compare, I worked in the Education Technology sector, where I gained valuable insights into creating impactful experiences for users from different parts of the world. Prior to that, I was a user-centered design consultant, working with clients such as The Samaritans, Drinkaware, and Guide Dogs. These experiences helped me develop a deep appreciation for designing with empathy and purpose, focusing on accessibility and the diverse needs of different user groups.
At Go.Compare, I’m passionate about creating solutions that have a real impact on people’s lives, while nurturing a team culture that values creativity, inclusivity, and continuous learning.
In your opinion, what unique perspectives or contributions do you think women bring to the design industry?
As women we often have to challenge stereotypes and bring diversity into design thinking itself. By being in leadership positions, we can also influence the way products are shaped—ensuring that design is not just for a single type of user, but for a wide array of individuals with different backgrounds, needs, and expectations. This results in products that resonate more deeply with a broader audience, fostering inclusivity.
Women are also in a unique position as they, willingly or not, serve as role models for other women in any industry and design is no different. That means that female designers are often expected to not only perform at the highest level but also represent and pave the way for others. This dual role can bring added pressure and can be very tiring, no wonder so many women quit.
I’m passionate about unlocking opportunities in design for other women, which is why I got involved in co-organizing Ladies that UX Bristol, a community that supports women and under-represented genders on their design journey. We get together once a month and it’s a great opportunity to network and learn.
In an attempt to capture some of the Wisdom you’ve gained as a woman in the design sector so far, what is the 1 thing that you’d like to pass on to your peers as well as the future generation of talent within your sector?
I can’t emphasise enough the importance of owning your career. It’s crucial to proactively seek out opportunities for growth. A great example of is the story of my team member, Monica. She previously worked in another team here at Future and reached out to me, expressing her interest in design and her desire to transition from marketing to a UX role. Her initiative not only showcased her passion but also opened the door for her to explore new possibilities in her career. She has been a great addition to the team, bringing in all those skills she already had and quickly gaining new ones as she is now taking on bigger and bigger projects.
If anyone reading this is thinking about reaching out, I can’t promise you a job but I’ll always find time for people looking to break into design or wanting to become better designers. It’s essential to reach out, seek advice, and gather insights from those who can help you navigate your journey. Connecting with peers and mentors helps build your confidence and unlocks valuable opportunities to craft a fulfilling career in design.
If you’re inspired by the stories and wisdom shared in our ‘Women In Design’ series and would like to contribute your own experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Creatives at all levels, please email us and your story could be the next we feature.
Gold: Best Expression of a Brand on Social Media Channels
Bronze: Best Use of Copy Style or Tone of Voice
The Transform Awards celebrate excellence in brand strategy and execution across Europe. saintnicks’ work with Ascot Racecourse brought to life the brand’s creative platform, Elegance at Play – combining social-first storytelling, a distinct tone of voice, and thumb-stopping, jaw-dropping content that captured the attention of both loyal racegoers and new audiences alike.
Speaking on the win, Fraser Bradshaw, CEO at saintnicks, said:
“We set out to create a truly ownable brand voice and world-class social content that matched Ascot’s stature as an iconic British institution. To see that work recognised is a brilliant moment for the team and a testament to the power of brave, collaborative thinking.”
If you’re after a creative brand agency that will go the extra mile for your brand, drop saintnicks a line. You can find out more about their brand, campaigns, content and digital expertise here, or reach out to their Client Services Director, Francois d’Espagnac.
We recently hosted the AHT (Association of Hairdressers and Therapists) Regional Competition for the South West! Students came from across the region including City of Bristol College and Bath College as well as our own students from UCW and Weston College. Higher Education competitors were able to show off their skill in makeup and materials in the ‘Create an Injury’ competition. The learners showed skill in carefully crafting their injury and then blending the injury with the surrounding skin to finish the contest.
Also going on during the day was the Editorial Competition. This tasked learners with creating and executing a makeup look which would suit Vogue Magazine! Following the brief and executing the look to the highest standard possible was essential. Competitors were also able to showcase their creativity through the art of body painting.
Makeup skills were tested throughout the day with the Glam Drag, Facepainting and Theatrical Aging competitions. An exciting competition in the afternoon challenged competitors to create an image based on Moulin Rouge! This was a team challenge, where each member of a team had a set amount of time to do their bit of the makeup and then this would be carried on by their teammate. This helped to build communication and teamwork skills.
Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics for Production lecturer Tara said: “The students from BA Hons Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics for Production course have showcased incredible talent in the AHT competitions, winning first, second, and third places across categories such as injury simulation, editorial glam, glamorous drag, facepainting and bridal makeup Their creativity and technical skills have earned them gold medals and a place in the finals in Blackpool this May. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to compete at a national level, gain industry recognition, and build confidence in their abilities. We’re incredibly proud of their achievements so far and excited to see them take on the best in the UK!”
Head of Service Sectors Jenna said: “We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsor VTCT who helped to make this event possible. Thanks must also go to the fantastic judges who lent their expertise! Competitions like these have a fantastic impact on our students, giving them the chance to push their limits and show off the skills that they’ve learned.”
This competition forms part of the Performance and Production Arts Careers Excellence Hub. University Centre Weston has eleven sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.
A huge congratulations to the UCW learners who won medals! You can find a list of them below:
Create an Injury
Glamourous Drag
Bodypainting
Feminine Bridal Makeup
Editorial Makeup
Facepainting ‘Carnival’
Being part of the Bristol Creatives community let’s explore how Business Leaders and HR can build a future-proof benefits strategy to stand out in the crowd.
In 2025, Business Leaders and HR Teams face a perfect storm of rising costs, shifting employee expectations, and global complexities. More than ever, benefits are a critical lever for your company’s success. Looking through the latest research alongside my day-to-day experiences I am witnessing some of the key trends that are reshaping the benefits landscape. It’s these insights that can help build a benefits package that really sticks the landing in 2025.
Trend 1: Low Employee Engagement
Despite many companies identifying employee engagement as their top priority in 2024, only a handful truly offered full flexibility in their benefits packages along with disjointed platforms further exacerbating this issue. Employees still struggle to find what they really need, reducing the perceived value of their benefits.
Companies can boost engagement by implementing flexibly of benefits and improving communication. Flexible allowances empower employees to spend on the benefits that matter most to them, while regular touchpoints ensure that they know what benefits are available to them.
But there’s another challenge. Most organisations don’t even have the data they need to make improvements. Without clear metrics, Business Leaders and HR teams are left guessing at what’s working and what’s not, making it harder to optimise benefits for engagement and retention.
If large enough (if you know…you’ll know!), employers should consider implementing a centralised benefits platform to simplify access and improve communication. Companies should also track key engagement metrics like utilisation rates and employee satisfaction to ensure their benefits are making an impact.
Trend 2: Reprioritising Foundational “Core” Benefits
In 2024, organisations reallocated their budgets to prioritise foundational (or Core) benefits such as medical and life insurance. This shift was largely driven by soaring healthcare costs and NHS waiting lists.
But focusing solely on reactive interventions without addressing preventative measures risks perpetuating the cycle of rising costs and declining health outcomes.
Companies should hold off on completely cutting wellbeing spend and instead pair foundational benefits with preventative wellness initiatives. Low-cost strategies like workplace wellness programs, ergonomic assessments, and access to digital wellbeing tools can reduce long-term healthcare expenses while boosting employee satisfaction. Just ask fellow member Nairn Robertson of Active Teams fame!
With employer healthcare costs reportedly increasing by up to 150% in some regions, benefits leaders are under growing pressure to rethink their approach. More organisations are shifting toward hybrid models that combine traditional insurance with preventative care, such as epigenetic testing, mental health support, and lifestyle coaching. Taking a proactive stance on employee health isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity.
Trend 3: The ESG Opportunity
Despite dominating much of the conversation in previous years, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations remain underrepresented in benefits strategies. While initiatives like electric vehicle schemes are gaining traction, the broader social aspects of ESG—such as inclusivity and equity—are often overlooked.
But the winds are due to change. Generation Z highly value sustainability and inclusivity. Organisations that fail to align their benefits with these principles risk losing talent to competitors who demonstrate stronger commitments. Flexible bank holidays, DEI-focused initiatives, and sustainable benefits can enhance your employer brand and meet the expectations of a values-driven workforce.
Companies that integrate social responsibility into their benefits—whether through inclusive healthcare policies, sustainable investment options, or support for underrepresented groups—will gain a significant competitive edge. Employers should go beyond surface-level ESG efforts and embed these principles into their benefits programs.
So, what is the future of benefits? It’s clear…evolve and adapt or risk falling from behind. The data is clear: Business Leaders and HR who take a proactive, data-driven approach will lead the way in 2025. Flexibility, innovative tech, and ESG-aligned benefits aren’t just trends—they’re the new standard for a competitive, future-proof benefits strategy. Companies that embrace this shift will build stronger, more engaged workforces, while those that stick to outdated benefits risk losing top talent. The good news? With the right tools and insights, you can take control of your benefits strategy and turn it into a true driver of success.
If you wish to explore these themes further, then drop me a line!
The diligent amongst you may have noticed that recently an AMBITIOUS TikTok hit a million views. If you were part of that viewership, then thank you!
If not, then before you continue reading this. Stop.
Load up TikTok and take a watch… are you done?
Welcome back.
In this blog, we’ll explore the tactics behind getting more views on TikTok, try to break down and explain the TikTok algorithm, lay down some advice on creating engaging content, and emphasize the importance of producing high-quality videos.
But we’ll also tell you why you shouldn’t just go chasing views! There’s so much more to your content strategy than views and views alone.
A view on TikTok is counted the moment a user starts playing your video. This includes replays and views from both your followers and non-followers. However, keep in mind that watching your own video does not count as a view.
The TikTok algorithm is designed to prioritize engaging content that keeps viewers hooked until the end. Even if a user only stays on your video for a second, it will still count as a view. So, focus on creating concise and engaging content that captures attention right from the outset.
If you want to know how to get more views on TikTok, there is one thing you have to have firmly set in your mind first.
There are going to be videos that fail.
Viral videos are few and far between. But the more videos you create and put out into the world, the more chance you have that they will start to fly. It’s really important to not be disheartened, we know how it can be, time and effort for little to no perceived result can be demotivating.
But the reality is, that TikTok is a particularly inconsistent social media platform. One piece of content on one specific day might sink like a stone. But if you post it 6 months later, you could end up with a quarter million views.
TikTok users regularly bemoan this lack of consistency in viewer figures. It can make it very hard to predict exactly what will perform well. In truth, there is no silver bullet as to how to get more views on TikTok.
So if you want to get more views on TikTok, creating content consistently is key. Additionally, consider responding to TikTok comments with a new TikTok video to drive traffic between videos and boost engagement.
TikTok is a strange place and TikTok views equate more to what’s trending at any given moment in time.
To capitalise on this, create videos that respond to questions from TikTok comments, enhancing engagement and views. That could be a cap-cut of a cat on a witches broom, mini-mic interviews or any manner of oddity.
From trending sounds and popular audio clips to TikTok Challenges and everything in between. Rule number one in your TikTok Strategy; if you want to create viral videos and make the most out of TikTok, then you’re going to want to lean into these kinds of viral TikTok trends.
Once you’ve accepted and leant into the strange inconsistencies that TikTok can throw up, the next thing you need to do is adopt a mentality of testing and learning.
Be experimental with your TikTok account and try different things. If something doesn’t work right there and then, that doesn’t mean it never will. You can also come back to that idea, or particular piece of content at a later date.
But always keep trying new things and focus on creating quality content.
So, how can you create great video content?
On TikTok you have mere seconds to make an impact. So your TikTok videos need to get straight to the point. Focus on creating videos that grab people and keep them engaged. Short, high-energy content with a clear story arc tends to perform best.
TikTok’s algorithm loves content that’s on trend. Whether that’s emerging challenges, sounds and hashtags. By incorporating these into content you can see massive increases in views and engagement.
But remember, it’s not just about jumping on trends for the sake of jumping on trends. You need to make sure that when you’re creating on-trend content, you aren’t doing so at the demise of your own brand voice and message.
Hashtags are the key to discoverability on TikTok.
Our content strategists research and select a mix of trending and niche-specific hashtags for each post. We’ve also found that using popular sounds can increase a video’s reach. Our approach is to create a blend of trending audio and branded messaging to get the most impact.
Building a TikTok following isn’t just about posting great content – it’s about creating a community.
We encourage our clients to respond to comments, join the conversation and even feature user-generated content. This level of engagement not only increases visibility but also builds brand loyalty and authenticity.
Responding to comments with a new TikTok video can drive traffic between videos and further enhance visibility and potential reach.
In our experience, consistency is key to TikTok’s success. We work with our clients to create content calendars that ensure regular and timely posts. This consistency tells the algorithm you’re an active and reliable creator which can lead to your content being promoted.
You can take a data-led approach, with a strong emphasis on TikTok analytics. Monitoring performance metrics for each post will help you understand and refine your content strategies moving forward.
TikTok success is a mix of creativity, strategy and adaptability.
As a PR and content specialist, we’ve seen firsthand how these tactics can turn a brand’s TikTok presence from invisible to unmissable.
Getting to a million TikTok views may not be immediately straightforward, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you want to bring up your view count while making great short videos for your target audience, then you can follow the tips and strategies outlined above to help you along the way.
But the key to making the most out of your TikTok is to not go arbitrarily chasing views.
Chasing vanity metrics like views is an old-fashioned strategy like trying to put AVE onto PR coverage.
What you need to do is measure the impact your content is having. For example, every time you post a ‘day in the life’ video from one of your employees, you might see a spike in job applications – that kind of impact.
We’re not saying never look at views. You should do that.
But you should be looking at engagement, comments and sentiment. These are the markers that tell you your content has quality, relevance and meaning more so than views.
To make TikTok work for you, you need to strike the perfect balance between what’s trending and what’s right for you. By following these strategies, you’re not just chasing views; you’re building a robust engaged community that can impact your overall brand presence.
Access Creative College has launched the Bristol Academy of Visual Arts (AVA), which will provide students with an all-encompassing experience of working within the creative industries alongside their studies.
The Bristol college, which also offers courses in music, gaming, esports and computing, is developing its media pathways by enrolling students into the new Academy to develop core work-ready skills while studying content creation, film, video, photography, animation, visual effects or graphic design.
The Academy will be based at Access Creative College’s Bristol Campus in Broadmead, offering learners access to industry-grade photography studios, green screen rooms, performance spaces and production pods alongside collaborative workspaces.
The College is now calling on businesses and organisations in the creative industries to join as collaborators with the Academy. Learners have already begun exploring work with existing organisations including Sons of Graham and Mobile Pie, as well as local music festivals.
Academy members will also collaborate with the wider college community to capture content and bring to life the incredible work that students produce on a day by day basis. Becoming a collaborator enables organisations to help shape the college’s curriculum and training, and the professional development of learners, offering guidance to young talent to help them meet organisational needs.
The launch of the Bristol Academy of Visual Arts follows feedback from the West of England Local Skills Improvement Plan, which demonstrated that despite Bristol’s thriving creative industry, many parents lack the understanding of creative employment opportunities across the region.
Jon Domaille, Head of Bristol Campus commented: “Bristol is famous across the world for its creative industry, with the likes of the BBC, Aardman and Plimsoll Productions calling the city home. As the largest independent training provider in the UK, we recognise the role we play in supporting the next generation of talent to excel in their creative fields.
“We’re extremely excited to launch the Academy. The unique opportunity to work on live briefs will not only develop the students’ core skills of communication, problem solving and organisational skills that are sought after by employers both regionally and nationally but will also show them first-hand what a career in the creative industries can look like.”
In addition to earning their Level 2 and/or Level 3 Diplomas in their chosen subject matter, learners will be tasked with forming their own limited production companies – developing their own brands, and service offerings based on skill sets, such as graphic design, content creation, film, photography and animation.
Throughout the academic year, students will then have the opportunity to pitch for and work on live projects set by local businesses across the city, working together to fulfil the briefs while developing their skills in teamwork, collaboration and client relations.
Alongside the live briefs, students will also have access to some of the brightest creative minds from across the region, as well as access to workshops with industry practitioners, and trips and experiences to consolidate, inspire and build upon their learned experiences.
Domaille continued: “Inspiring students through opportunity is at the heart of Access Creative College’s ethos, and through the Academy we’re delighted to offer our students access to some of the top creatives our region has to offer. We’re always keen to expand our network and encourage any business that would like to support the Academy and help us shape the talent pipelines of tomorrow to get in contact.”
To find out more or sign up as a partner or collaborator to the Academy, please contact Jon Domaille on email at jon.domaille@accesscreative.ac.uk. For more information about the AVA visit: https://www.accesscreative.ac.uk/campaign/bristol-academy-of-visual-arts-ava/
Bristol Light Festival is back! The fifth iteration of the annual event began on Friday 31st January and will run until Sunday 9th February, with 10 installations brightening up the city at a traditionally dark time of the year.
Bristol Light Festival’s digital programme is now available to view here.
The festival covers much of the city centre, with artworks located in the Harbourside, Broadmead, College Green, St Mary Redcliffe Gardens and beyond…
College Green has become home to a flock of bright and beautiful flamingos, delighting visitors with a whimsical display of nature’s most flamboyant creatures.
Shrouding the Amphitheatre in a cosmic blend of light and sound, Somnius responds to the audience’s every move, immersing crowds in a playful environment that puts them in control of their experience.
Those crossing Castle Bridge are being painted in reflections of shimmering light as they admire the suspended facade of more than 1,800 recycled CDs and DVDs, inspired by the waters of Sydney Harbour.
Back for another year of musical delights, Swing Song can be found on Queen Square. Due to popular demand, Bristol Light Festival organisers have introduced a fast track ticket for one set of swings at this year’s event. More information around this, including how to book, is available to view at bristollightfestival.com/swingsong
Lighting up the gardens of St Stephens Church is Our Beating Heart, an enormous heart-shaped disco ball that brings people together in its display of shared love.
At Broadmead, visitors to the festival can find Tetra, a tactile installation that needs to be engaged with to truly be felt and understood, taking inspiration from the many forces of nature.
Temple Church has been illuminated into a world of lasers and mirrors, where moving footage of natural phenomena like flora and the cosmos are being transformed into floating abstractions of light with Parallels.
The world premiere of The Whilers can be found in St Mary Redcliffe Gardens, where otherworldly creatures greet visitors as they interact with each other in an awe-inspiring experience.
Bringing the history of drum and bass to the centre of Bristol, Anthems: Volume One is inspired by the historic connection between the city and DnB music and can be found at Quakers Friars.
Katherine Jewkes, Creative Director of Bristol Light Festival, said:
“Bristol Light Festival 2025 is underway and it’s amazing to see such a positive response from visitors once again.This year brings such a variety of artworks, but at their core is a real sense of togetherness and connection with audiences. We look forward to seeing what the run holds for visitors and hope that even more people will come to Bristol to see all that is on offer!”
For the current edition of Bristol Light Festival, several Fringe events are happening across the city to allow visitors to amplify their experience.
Photography Walk – Monday 3rd February and Wednesday 5th February, 5:30 – 7pm
Award-winning photographer Adrian Wyatt will be guiding budding photographers around the installations, offering guidance on how to capture the best shots of the installations.
Walking Tours – Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4th, Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th February, 5:30 – 7pm
An opportunity for festival-goers to orientate themselves within the locations and to learn about the installations. Participants can choose between the ‘waterfront’ or ‘central’ routes, or join an accessible tour.
Official Silent Disco Tour – Wednesday 5th February, 5:30 – 6:30pm, Starting at Bristol Cathedral
On this one hour tour, visitors are invited to boogie their way between art installations accompanied by hit tunes from across the decades. High tech headphones mean that users will be able to hear both the music and their tour guide as they make their way around some of the festival’s highlights.
Neon Kids Rave – Thursday 6th February, 4 – 7pm, Bambalan
The whole family is invited to brighten up February with a non-stop rave party including bright colours and plenty of opportunities to boogie. Tickets can be purchased here
Lights Under the Sea – Saturday 8th February, 10am – 7pm, Bristol Aquarium
To celebrate Bristol Light Festival, the Aquarium will be open later on this date, so visitors can experience the aquarium after dark with its botanical house magically lit with colourful lights. Special UV animal crafts will be available throughout the day, free of charge with an aquarium ticket.
For more information about all events, and to book, visit bristollightfestival.com/events
For the 2025 event, Left Handed Giant has once again created the event’s official beer. This year’s ‘Shining Stars’ is a bright and balanced pale ale, full of citrusy grapefruit and juicy tropical character, from a blend of citra, motueka and el dorado. While visitors check out C-Scales at Castle Bridge, they can grab a can of Shining Stars from Left Handed Giant Brewpub to enjoy the full Bristol Light Festival experience. Shining Stars will also be available at Small Bar, Glassboat and the Royal Navy Volunteer.
Bristol Light Festival’s hub can be found at Queen Square. The perfect place for visitors to meet, regroup and rest, the hub hosts merchandise, including branded beanies, tote bags, light up umbrellas and prints. The hub also houses the information hut, seating and a food market, as well as being the site of two of the festival’s installations – Swing Song and Bristol is Always a Good Idea.
Bristol Light Festival was founded by Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and is presented in partnership with Redcliffe & Temple BID. The festival’s Artwork Partners are Broadmead BID and Cabot Circus. Visit Bristol, Visit West’s consumer channel for Bristol, is this year’s media partner. The festival is curated by Katherine Jewkes, Creative Director.
For those looking for somewhere to stay in Bristol City Centre during the festival, a list of offers and discounts for some of the best hotels in the area can be found at bristollightfestival.com/accommodation. The festival recommends booking early to avoid disappointment.
Bristol Light Festival recommends travelling as sustainably as possible. Visitors are encouraged to walk or cycle to the festival where possible, or to utilise the many train and bus options available to the city centre. More information about getting to the festival can be found here: bristollightfestival.com/getting-here/
All information about the festival can be found at bristollightfestival.com
Images credit: Andre Pattenden
You need to load content from reCAPTCHA to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationNotifications