We’re delighted to announce that Future Leap Consultancy has secured funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to deliver two cohorts of our acclaimed Skills Bootcamp on Sustainability in Business—a co-funded opportunity for professionals across the region to gain practical, actionable sustainability skills.
This initiative is part of the UK Government’s Skills for Life programme and contributes to the £11.3 million investment aimed at boosting skills across the West of England. It’s a powerful endorsement of the role sustainability plays in shaping resilient, future-ready businesses—and a recognition of Future Leap’s expertise in delivering high-impact training.
What Is the Skills Bootcamp?The Skills Bootcamp is a 10-week programme designed to help professionals integrate sustainability into their day jobs. Whether you’re in HR, marketing, finance, operations or procurement, this course equips you with:
All delivered by Future Leap’s network of expert consultants and changemakers.
We’ve already worked with teams at Pieminister, Lexus, Inside Travel Group, Priority Express, Gilcrest Manufacturing, Kelpi, Solutions for the Planet and Novotel—supporting them to embed sustainability into their operations and culture.
Who It’s ForThis Skills Bootcamp is ideal for:
Programme Dates & Funding OptionsWe’re enrolling for two upcoming cohorts:
The programme is:
Eligibility is open to those employed or self-employed in Bristol, Bath, North or North East Somerset, or South Gloucestershire.
What Previous Learners Say“I’m a complete beginner and have found the sustainability space so overwhelming! This bootcamp has given me a real grounding in all the different topics, themes and nuances and having it broken down this way has been really helpful.”
— Becky, Starling Bank
“Despite having worked in this space for over 10 years, there’s always more to learn and it can be really hard to think differently about challenges you’ve known about for a really long time. It’s been great having people from different backgrounds and companies to hear their view and we’ve had some really interesting discussions.”
— Jen, Solutions for the Planet
These testimonials reflect the programme’s ability to support both newcomers and seasoned professionals in deepening their impact.
Ready to Integrate Sustainability Into Your Day Job?By registering your interest, a member of our team will be in touch to:
Spaces are limited and demand is high—don’t miss out.
Ready to unleash your creative talents but don’t know where to begin?
Gritty Talent is partnering with leading Bristol based Post Production houses to run a part-time 8 week FREE Post Production Skills Bootcamp. The course is aimed at residents of the Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset and South Gloucs areas, who are aged 19+ and wanting to break into Post Production.
You will be introduced to the fascinating world of Post Production through masterclasses in sound, vision and wrangling footage. Alongside formal shadowing opportunities in Post Production Facilities, you will also receive career development workshops and mentoring from the team at Gritty Talent. This bootcamp will fully prepare you to confidently apply for entry level Post Production roles within the TV/Creative Industries.
For full course details including eligibility and how to apply follow this link: https://www.grittytalent.tv/runners-skills-bootcamps
Funded by West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
Delivery partners: Gorilla, Gorilla Academy, Films@59, PictureShop, Doghouse Post Production, One Tribe TV
#skillsbootcamps #skillsforlife #Postproduction #TVRunners #creativeindustries
Weston College is proud to celebrate the outstanding success of four learners, who have all qualified for the WorldSkills UK national competitions.
The four learners, who will be competing in November, are:
Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, worked closely with Maddison and Ellie throughout their WorldSkills journey so far, and said:
“Maddie and Ellie have had an exceptional year, recently completing their Level 3 Beauty Therapy qualifications with Distinction * grades.
“Their commitment has gone far beyond the classroom, with both students undertaking extra weekly training outside of their regular timetable to hone their techniques and elevate their performance.
“Building on their experiences from last year’s WorldSkills UK Beauty Therapist qualifiers, Maddie and Ellie have embraced every opportunity to grow. This year, they competed in the inaugural South West Skills Challenge, where Maddie won 1st place in the Beauty Practitioner heat, and Ellie earned an impressive 2nd place in the Beauty Therapist heat. Ellie continued her winning streak by taking 1st place at the AHT Finals in Blackpool this May, outperforming a strong field of competitors.
“Their momentum carried through to this year’s WorldSkills competition, where their entry videos earned them spots in the regional heats at Cardiff and Vale College. Now, both learners have successfully qualified for the national finals in the Beauty Therapy Practitioner category – placing them among the top eight young beauty therapists in the UK.
“This achievement not only reflects their personal excellence but also the high-quality training provided by Weston College’s Beauty Therapy team. With expert guidance from Heather and Becky, and strategic support from the Head of Service Sectors, Maddie and Ellie have been empowered to reach their full potential.”
In recognition of their talent, both students have already secured employment offers from Cadbury Spa, one of the college’s valued CEH employer partners – demonstrating the powerful collaboration between Weston College and local industry.
One of our University Centre Weston (UCW) students, Ryan, has recently completed his degree and moved to Florida to work at Walt Disney World, having completed a full 6-year journey through the creatives at Weston College.
Ryan’s journey began on the Level 2 Art & Design course where he trialled a range of mediums and developed his skills. During this 1-year course, Ryan found his passion, leading him to complete the Level 3 Graphics Design course at Weston College. Here he built a foundation of knowledge surrounding the different software and tools required to become a Graphic Designer.
Once he had completed his Level 3 Graphic Design course, Ryan wanted to enhance his skillset further, deciding to progress to the BA (Hons) Graphic Design at University Centre Weston (UCW). During this degree, Ryan entered a competition to design the logo for the Knife Angel visit where it was selected to represent this powerful message. The Knife Angel is a 27ft statue made from 100,000 seized blades which represents the need for social change and the negative effects of violent and aggressive behaviour, particularly in knife crime.
This opportunity was a great way for Ryan to not only get his work out there and build his confidence and portfolio, but it was also an excellent way to work with clients, follow an external brief, and network with industry professionals involved in such an important cause.
In addition, Ryan helped his peers with different techniques throughout his degree, giving them assistance with software and tools where needed, and helping them to build their confidence and encouraging them to push their creative boundaries.
Once Ryan had completed his degree at UCW, he applied to work at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida where he is currently working in merchandising at the flagship World of Disney store in Disney Springs. This exciting opportunity allows Ryan to step out of his comfort zone, meet new people, and network with potential employers from across the world, whilst being inspired by all the magic that takes place within the Resort.
After having completed 3 years at Weston College and discovering his passion, to progressing onto a further 3 years at UCW, Ryan is a fantastic example of commitment and perseverance, chasing after his goals and constantly developing his skills in a fast-paced and dynamic subject area.
Well done Ryan for your hard work and efforts, we hope you enjoy Disney and that we get to see your designs in the future!
Weston College recently launched our very own Community Choir, led by Susannah Leitch, HE Programme Co-ordinator and Lecturer in Popular Music. The choir has had a brilliant first term, meeting every week at 5.45pm to warm up, loosen up, and sing a wide range of songs together. From upbeat tunes to more relaxed melodies, each session brought something new and fun.
Before getting into the music, the choir took time to look after their voices with gentle stretches, breathing exercises, and posture work, which were perfect after a day spent at desks or in cars. These warm-ups helped everyone relax, improve their vocal techniques, and get into the right headspace for singing.
The group practiced singing both with and without sheet music, using memory and listening skills to learn harmonies, while also brushing up on music reading along the way. There was something for everyone, whether they were a confident singer or completely new to choirs.
Each session encouraged teamwork and a real sense of community. There were opportunities for solos for those who wanted to, and Susannah made sure it was a supportive space to have a go and enjoy the experience. The focus of the choir was on having fun, building confidence, and boosting mental wellbeing through music.
All in all, it’s been a fantastic start for the Weston College Community Choir, and it’s clear that this new programme has made on impact on everyone involved.
Choir Feedback:
“Thank you so much for what you did for us. I am so grateful for meeting you and learning from you! Best teacher ever!”
“Susannah is a great teacher, very pleasant and we’ve had some laughs. Very enjoyable course. Singing makes you feel great.”
“Thank you, Susannah, you are so kind and positive, it helped a lot with my nerves!”
“I found the experience very positive, coming together to have fun, meeting new people and learning music. No-one is wrong and everyone is welcome”
“I enjoyed meeting new people, learning new songs and it was fun singing at the open day”
“The camaraderie especially in the last few weeks as we got to know each other more”
“I loved being able to sing and be musical without any pressure. Very stress relieving, a great outlet.”
“The warmups were great, and especially when they linked to the song we were doing without us realising!”
“I would very much like to return to Choir in September. Please!”
“Thank you so much – Susannah was fab. Hope it continues next term.”
Register your interest for the next Community Choir here.
(Thought leadership piece by Gina Hale, Head of Game, Animation, Photography and UX at Weston College)
The creative industries are evolving at an unprecedented rate. Traditionally, success in fields like design, media, performing arts, and film depended largely on talent and technical skills. Today, however, the landscape is shifting – creative professionals must also be entrepreneurs, capable of marketing their work, managing finances, and navigating self-employment.
A staggering 95% of creative businesses in the UK are micro-businesses (fewer than 10 employees), and over 32% of creative industry professionals are self-employed – double the rate of the broader economy. These figures highlight a growing need for entrepreneurial acumen within creative sectors. But are we as an education provider equipping students with the right skills?
Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW) are answering this challenge head-on, ensuring that our students aren’t just skilled artists, designers, and media professionals—but also capable entrepreneurs. Through our Creative Arts Career Excellence Hubs, we are developing a comprehensive approach that integrates business and entrepreneurship skills into the creative curriculum, providing a seamless educational pipeline that prepares our students for the realities of creative careers.
Embedding Business Skills into Creative Courses
Gone are the days when creative courses focused solely on artistry. Weston College and UCW have woven core business skills—including finance, marketing, contract negotiation, and networking – into our creative programmes. Students are encouraged to think like entrepreneurs, whether they are aspiring freelancers, business owners, or employees in creative enterprises.
Practical skills such as understanding NDAs, writing business proposals, and managing project budgets are integrated into modules, ensuring that students graduate not just with a portfolio but with the confidence to monetise their talents.
Work-Integrated Learning and Industry Engagement
One of the biggest barriers to creative entrepreneurship is the lack of real-world exposure. Weston College and UCW are addressing this through strong industry partnerships, offering students the opportunity to work on live projects, collaborate with businesses, and gain first-hand experience in commercial creative environments.
Through initiatives like industry placements, and employer-led masterclasses, students develop both their craft and commercial instincts. These experiences prepare them for a seamless transition into the workforce or self-employment.
Recent success stories illustrate how we are equipping students with hands-on industry experiences:
Supporting the Growth of Microbusinesses and Freelancers
Recognising that many graduates will enter self-employment or start their own creative businesses, UCW and Weston College offer tailored support for freelancers. This includes guidance on pricing strategies, tax and financial planning, marketing, and digital branding—ensuring that students can successfully launch and sustain their creative ventures.
Additionally, networking events, mentorship programmes, and guest lectures from successful creative entrepreneurs help students understand the realities of working in the industry and equip them with the tools to thrive.
The Creative Entrepreneurship Sprint Report, produced by Business West in collaboration with regional stakeholders, highlighted critical gaps in the skills system. Employers across the West of England and North Somerset identified key areas where new entrants to the workforce were underprepared, including financial literacy, leadership, and opportunity recognition.
Weston College and UCW are actively addressing these concerns by ensuring that entrepreneurship is embedded across creative education. However, further collaboration is needed between education providers, employers, and policymakers to ensure that the next generation of creatives is equipped for long-term success.
A Call to Action
To foster a thriving creative sector, all stakeholders must work together:
Weston College and University Centre Weston are keen to be at the forefront of integrating business skills into creative education. By bridging the gap between creativity and entrepreneurship, we are preparing students not just to find jobs—but to create them.
For employers looking to engage with the next generation of creative professionals—or for students wanting an education that truly prepares them for the modern creative economy—Weston College and UCW offer a first-class foundation for turning passion into a sustainable career.
Following the South West Regional heats of the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) Competition hosted at Weston College, some of our HE and FE students progressed to the AHT Final in Blackpool that took place over 2 days.
Throughout the competitions, our FE and HE learners showcased exceptional skill, determination, and passion across the two days in each category, and this was truly reflected in the fantastic results of our students.
Weston College Further Education (FE) students from Hairdressing, Hair and Media, and Beauty attended, as well as UCW Higher Education (HE) students from Makeup and Prosthetics.
For the competition, the students and staff travelled up on the Saturday to explore Blackpool and settle in before the competition ahead. On the Sunday, learners competed in the direct entry competitions which included Spa Body Massage, Prosthetics, Nails, and Catwalk Hair. Within these categories, the learners managed to secure 1st place in Spa Body Massages and Prosthetics, a 3rd place in Prosthetics, and 4th place in Nails.
The National Finals took place on the Monday where both HE and FE students competed in a range of categories, including Body Painting, Create an Injury, Face Painting, Fantasy Make up, Cut and Blow dry, Fantasy Hair, and Hair styling. Similar to the direct entry competitions, the results for these competitions were amazing, with the Face Painting securing 1st place, Create an Injury achieving 3rd place, and Fantasy Makeup gaining 4th place out of 27 participants!
Throughout the competition, students were required to adhere to very strict guidelines and themes. This created a real-life, client-customer simulation for some students as it required learners to think creatively whilst remaining within the rules, regulations and requirements set by the competition.
This was a fantastic opportunity for learners to apply their skills and follow instructions whilst adding their own creative freedom to their work. Not only this, they also got the chance to meet like-minded individuals with a passion for hairdressing, makeup and beauty, as well as network with industry professionals and gain constructive criticism to further enhance their skills.
These types of competitions are great for building confidence in the next generation of professionals, whilst also giving them credited awards that they can include in their portfolio in order to show off their talent and ability to future employers.
Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College and AHT Chair for the South West, expressed the pride she felt for the students, saying, “to step onto the competition floor takes courage, but to medal among such outstanding talent is even more impressive! Many of our learners pushed well beyond the limits of their qualifications, proving just how committed and capable they are.
Competitions such as this allow students to gain hands-on experience of working with specifications in a pressured environment which only improves and develops their time-management, professionalism, and their general abilities. We couldn’t be prouder of how our students did and how they represented Weston College. It was a true testament to their hard work!”
Well done to all the students who participated in this competition!
UWE Bristol will host Showcase, its annual degree show, in June, offering visitors the opportunity to discover a new generation of talent from the College of Arts, Technology and Environment.
More than 1200 students from over 40 courses will exhibit their work at Bower Ashton, Arnolfini, Spike Island and the university’s Frenchay Campus from Thursday 5 June until Wednesday 11 June.
An annual highlight for the university and the city of Bristol, members of the public are invited to attend the free, in-person exhibitions which will include a selection of undergraduate and postgraduate work from animation, architecture, art, creative technologies, design, engineering, fashion, filmmaking, media, performance, photography, product design and writing.
Elena Marco, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of College of Arts, Technology and Environment said: “Each year, I’m blown away by the sheer creativity, ambition, and depth of thinking shown by our students. Their work reflects not only visionary talent, but also a deep engagement with the challenges and possibilities of the world around them.
“Showcase 2025 isn’t just a celebration of student achievement – it’s a testament to the passion, expertise, and dedication of the incredible staff who support, guide, and inspire them every step of the way. It promises to be a bold, joyful, and unmissable event – don’t miss it.”
Several of this year’s exhibiting students have drawn inspiration from their own experiences, bringing a personal dimension to their final projects.
Iside Buraga is a BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles student whose designs are influenced by her involvement with the Bristol Northern Soul Club; this has been a catalyst for her creative exploration of subcultures and storytelling through fashion.
Issi said: “My involvement with Northern Soul has made me consider the experiences and emotions that lead people to dress and portray themselves in a certain way. It can be extravagant or covert, and sometimes obscure in a similar way to music.”
Her final project explores the tension between external presentation and internal emotion, drawing on themes of female identity, deviancy, and vulnerability. The dress she’s designed incorporates found and gifted materials, emphasising hand-finished details and hidden elements to reflect the invisible stories within garments and people.
Solomon Khimba, is a BEng (Hons) Architecture and Environmental Engineering student. His final project addresses the rights of nomadic people to a political voice, by creating an architectural design for a dual-purpose building in St Pauls. The concept combines a circus venue with a political forum, inspired by his own experience of living in a van as a child and the plight of Bristol’s Invisible Circus, which vacated its city centre premises due to plans for redevelopment.
Drawing on the traditions of travelling and circus communities, the building aims to give access and visibility to those communities who might feel excluded from civic participation.
“The idea is to bring together an entertainment aspect, drawing people into the building to see the circus, but also to drive connection with politics,” said Solomon. “Having a connection between these really different groups of people would hopefully have an impact on the ideas and choices that they both make.”
Kalli Montigue, a BA (Hons) Product Design student, has designed ‘PupPulse’, a concept for a smart dog-harness and collar combined with a mobile app to provide reactive dog owners with wellbeing data and insights. These are collected by health metric sensors fitted within the harness and an AI analysis within the app to help them track stress patterns and behaviour trends.
Kalli said: “I was inspired by my sister’s experience with her reactive dog and my research has shown how common and complex dog behavioural issues can be. PupPulse could offer owners trustworthy data, a relatable community, and accessible support, to help them understand and manage their dog’s reactivity with confidence.”
And MA Architecture students, who were recently longlisted in The Davidson Prize, will exhibit their project ‘Growing Places’. The competition seeks inventive design proposals to transform any site in the UK into a ‘cohesive and integrated’ community of at least 300 new homes; this year’s theme is Streets Ahead: The Race to Build 1.5M Homes.
UWE Bristol broadcast journalism and media production students are also working with the university’s New Wave Creative Agency to produce a one-hour radio show for Ujima Radio, exploring the build up to the Showcase for School of Arts students. The special show will be broadcast at 1pm on 2 June.
More information on how to visit Showcase is available on the UWE Bristol website.
For those who can’t make it in person, a digital showcase is available to view online and features exciting work from hundreds of graduating students from 40 programmes. Designed to celebrate new talent and support professional practice, enterprise and employability, each graduate has curated their own portfolio with links to their own sites and social channels.
Once again, our Music and Media departments have joined forces to highlight the remarkable talent and cross-disciplinary collaboration of our students!
Last week, we welcomed BARSTAFF – the winners of the Amped Band Competition – for an exclusive live recording session at our Loxton Campus. This high-energy external band partnered with our learners to produce a live album and a series of professional promotional videos, offering a rare opportunity for our students to gain real-world experience in a professional production environment.
Our Music students took full control of the sound production process – from live sound engineering to multitrack recording, all the way through to mixing and mastering the final album. Simultaneously, our Media students managed all aspects of video production, capturing the performance with multiple cameras and creating high-quality, synchronised video content for each track.
Adding to the excitement, industry professional Iain Robertson, whose impressive experience involves working with Oasis, Gary Moore, Spandau Ballet, and Duran Duran as a tour manager, attended the live recording – adding to the professionalism of the experience for the learners.
This weekend BARSTAFF performed at the Elmers Arms in Bristol, where they featured one of our learner bands, ‘Covered in Bottles’, as the opening act, offering even more exposure and learning opportunities for our students.
This unique event was professionally filmed, edited, and utilised not only for student portfolios, but also as promotional content for the band and the college, strengthening our ties to the creative industry and highlighting the exceptional work being done within our creative courses!
We’re super proud of the effort our students continue to apply at these industry experiences, and their professionalism is fantastic.
To find out more about our creative arts courses, click here.
As a creative professional, you know how much of your work depends on navigating ambiguity, harnessing inspiration, and staying productive under pressure.
But here’s the truth: before you can lead bold projects or creative teams, you must first learn to lead yourself.
At Fire & Light Coaching, I work with creative leaders, designers, strategists, founders, writers, and dreamers who thrive in ideas yet sometimes struggle with focus, clarity, or consistency. Especially if you’re neurodivergent or navigating ADHD (diagnosed or undiagnosed), this balance can feel elusive.
I know it because I’ve been there.
I believe in a strengths-first approach. We shift the focus from “fixing what’s wrong” to leveraging what already makes you unique and brilliant.
For me and many of my creative clients, ADHD or divergent thinking brings:
Boundless curiosity to explore new ideas and possibilities
Pattern recognition to connect unexpected dots
Energy and originality to push into new creative frontiers
And yes, there are challenges too:
Ideas come faster than execution
Focus can fragment under pressure
Others may struggle to keep up with your thinking
Stay the course on core goals
Make space for idea exploration without derailing the essentials
Build systems and rhythms to capture your creativity without feeling trapped by structure
Communicate clearly with collaborators, clients, or teams on what’s critical vs. experimental
Those wild sparks often become the gold.
They lead to innovations, bold creative moves, and connections no one else sees. The key is learning how to manage the balance.
Vision + Accountability
Curiosity + Clarity
That’s what creative coaching with me looks like.
I use coaching methodologies designed for ADHD and creative leadership, rooted in character strengths, practical neuroscience, and coaching psychology, to support you to lead with confidence and creativity.
This is about showing up fully with the talents you already have, while also building the tools to manage what can hold you back.
If you’re a creative professional ready to explore how coaching can help you balance vision with action, I’d love to partner with you.
Let’s unlock what’s already within you.
Book an initial discovery call today.
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