The next date in my series of all-day small-group in-person PR workshops for small business owners is on Friday 23 January 2026, and I’d love to invite all BCI members!
There’s just FOUR spots left.
BOOKED IN A DAY 🎉
📅 Friday 23 January 2026, 10am – 4pm
📍 Tobacco Factory, Bristol
🎟️ 7 spaces (Only FOUR left!)
🔗 Details + tix: https://bridiehinson.co.uk/bristol-pr-workshop
Designed for small business owners who want to dedicate a day to building lasting PR skills that will help you reach more people with your mission and message, build trust, and land new opportunities for your small business.
If you want to discover new ways to get in front of the right people (beyond constant content creation!) come learn about opportunities such as guest podcasts, guest workshops, speaking gigs, press features, collaborations, partnerships and more!
It’s a chance to learn how to position yourself, craft key messages and stories, and learn how to pitch for opportunities.
The day will be informative and interactive with time to action the learnings during the workshop itself, you’ll also get mini 1:1s with me and peer support in a small group👌
You’ll leave with:
💎 clear on the topics, opinions and messages you can use for PR
💡 exciting ideas to promote your business beyond social media
💪 confidence to put yourself out there and pitch
I’ll also be adding a new section in for January 2026 all about planning PR into your upcoming business activity as we look at the year ahead. Including top tips for how to leverage PR to boost what you’re already doing, not add to your plate.
Kate said: “A brilliant, energising day packed with practical tools, inspiring ideas, and expert insight that made PR feel not just doable, but exciting. Bridie delivers the course with warmth and expertise. I left with a clear plan and much more confidence.”
Morin said: “Booked in a Day was transformative. It expanded my understanding of where my voice belongs and needs to be heard. Having my ideas and approach validated by a PR expert has completely shifted how I feel about pitching myself and my expertise from ‘ick’ to ‘yay!’”
The event takes place on the top floor of Tobacco Factory with a balcony and spectacular views 😍
BOOKED IN A DAY 🎉
📅 Friday 23 January 2026, 10am – 4pm
📍 Tobacco Factory, Bristol
🎟️ 7 spaces (Only FOUR left!)
🔗 Details + tix: https://bridiehinson.co.uk/bristol-pr-workshop
Weston College and University Centre Weston are looking to work with creative businesses to shape delivery, curriculum and skills alignment to provide your industry with a talented and work ready future workforce.
Current courses delivered by us include:
Please join us at one of our events (you can find them all here) and have your say! https://forms.office.com/e/0T1Z42Ey2V
University Centre Weston’s Dirigo Film Festival is returning for its 12th year! Organised by our talented Film and Media Arts Production students, it’s a fantastic opportunity for student filmmakers worldwide! Entries are open now!
As an open festival with no set boundaries, the festival aims to inspire and showcase creativity in film making. The organisers actively encourage new styles, voices and direction! This year’s categories are:
In addition to the film side of the festival, for the first time this year we are introducing the Dirigo Photography Awards! This is a separate category for photography submissions for International Students, UK Students, and Young Photographer categories.
This industry film festival forms part of the Art, Film, Game and Graphic Design Careers Excellence Hub. University Centre Weston’s Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners’ careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.
Entries for the festival are now open, you can submit your film by clicking here! Apply for our Film and Media Arts Production degree by clicking here!
We’re delighted to announce our third Skills Bootcamp in Virtual Production!
Starting Wednesday 17th December 2025, these fully funded courses offer an incredible opportunity to gain cutting-edge skills that are transforming the future of film and media production.
We are offering two specialist courses:
• Virtual Production with Unreal Engine
• Virtual Production with Sony VENICE 2
These bootcamps are free to learners, funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WEMCA) and led by the University of Bristol in partnership with MARS Academy (MARS Volume), Gritty Talent, and accredited trainers in Unreal Engine and Sony VENICE 2.
Virtual production is revolutionising the screen sector by blending live action, visual effects, and real-time 3D environments into a seamless creative process.
Applications close at midnight on Wednesday 12th November 2025, please share with your wider audience.
Gritty Talent’s Skills Bootcamp – Inclusion Accelerator, launches on the 14th January 2026 in the South-West of England. Book early to avoid disappointment….
Engaging, practical and designed for change, the Inclusion Accelerator has been thoughtfully developed to turbo charge inclusivity in the creative industries.
The Skills Bootcamp is open to 20 leaders, hiring managers & EDI leads within creative sector organisations and companies in the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WEMCA) region. This dynamic, guided learning bootcamp, with the outcome of creating a company specific implementation plan, will be delivered by Gritty Talent’s own senior leaders who are creative industry professionals and EDI specialists.
What’s more it’s HEAVILY subsidised by WEMCA, who fund up to 90% of the cost for learners
For full information on funding, eligibility criteria and application details. Follow the link below.
https://www.grittytalent.tv/skills-bootcamp-inclusion-accelerator
Every autumn, the air shifts. Shadows stretch, lights glow earlier, and people start hungering for something beyond routine. They want meaning, magic, and connection…a story they can step into.
That’s why seasonal immersive events aren’t just popular; they’re unstoppable. Each year, they grow bigger, bolder, more ambitious, because they speak to something universal, our need to feel part of something shared, fleeting, and extraordinary.
And the truth is, the spaces that haven’t embraced that yet are already behind.
This isn’t about pumpkins and fairy lights. It’s about transformation and turning your existing space into a living, breathing story that people can feel in their bones.
The public appetite for immersive experiences has exploded. Seasonal events are selling out months in advance, driving new audiences, and dominating social feeds. People aren’t just attending, they’re participating. They’re hungry for connection, emotion, and atmosphere and they’re willing to travel and spend for it.
And here’s the thing: the places that already have character, story, or natural atmosphere, the ones sitting dark for half the year, are the ones that often might be the perfect venue.
Seasonal immersive programming can turn a quiet month into a sell-out. It can reframe how a space is seen, pull in new audiences, and create stories that live far beyond the season itself and build brand new audiences.
So the question isn’t should you do a seasonal immersive event. It’s why aren’t you already doing one?
Immersive design is no longer just for purpose-built attractions. It’s the future of how people experience the world around them. Every space has the potential to hold story.
Seasonal events give you a perfect excuse to unlock that, to reveal another layer of your space and make people fall in love with it all over again.
It’s not about building something new. It’s about seeing what you already have differently.
The right lighting design can make the familiar feel mythic. A single scent cue can shift memory. A piece of sound can transport a visitor before they even realise what’s happening.
This is where transformation starts, not with scale, but with imagination.
Emotion is built in.
Halloween and Christmas already carry universal feelings: fear, joy, nostalgia, hope. Immersive storytelling amplifies them.
They drive visibility. They’re PR gold, visual content magnets, and community anchors.
They make financial sense, one strong seasonal programme can sustain engagement through your quieter months.
These events are not side projects, they are cultural touchpoints, powerful, repeatable frameworks that keep audiences coming back year after year.
They create loyalty, seasonal traditions make people return.
“We do this every year” is the strongest possible brand statement there is.
Right now, the market is wide open. Audiences are ready. The appetite is proven. Technology and design tools are accessible. The question is who will seize the moment. and who will let it pass?
Spaces that act now will set the benchmark. Those that wait will be catching up.
Seasonal immersive events are no longer a luxury; they’re the smartest creative and commercial move you can make.
The best seasonal immersive events don’t rely on gimmicks or budget. They rely on intention.
They have a clear emotional journey.
They use their environment as part of the story.
They surprise people, not just entertain them.
They end on a note that lingers.
Audiences don’t remember everything they saw. They remember how it made them feel.
And that feeling, if designed well it can shape how they see your space forever!
At Immersive Ideas, we don’t do cookie-cutter Christmas lights or predictable Halloween thrills. We design experiences that transform space into story. Our work blends psychology, design, and emotion to create worlds that connect deeply, memorable, meaningful, and made for your audience.
Wondering if your space has potential? This is the moment to unlock it.
Even if you’re only exploring what might be possible, let’s start the conversation and see where it leads?
Worried about timeframe? Budget? Don’t be. Already this year our clients are testing the waters, preparing the ground work now for going big next year.
Let’s have a chat, reach out at [email protected]
Together, we can shape the kind of seasonal experience people will still be talking about long after the lights go down!
This week, our Music and Production students got the chance to sit in on a live performance from the band, ‘The Peripheries’, and help them record an album within our Michael Eavis Performance suite, which links directly to the HE Recording Studio at Loxton Campus.
The Peripheries are an Italian New Wave band with 1980s influences and experimental sounds. With connections to a member of staff at the college, they visited our students and performed for them, giving them the chance to hear a new variation of music that they may not have previously discovered.
Our students are trained on top-of-the-range equipment to ensure they are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge required for working in the industry. They not only learn to set up for performances and gigs, but they also learn what to listen for when recording so they can make the correct adjustments. Students were taking charge of the settings on the music decks while other students were behind in the recording studio ensuring that all aspects of the gig were recorded smoothly.
Giving students the chance to help record an album for the band gives them fantastic, real-world experience and practice working with clients. Not only this, our Media and Photography students also got involved with filming the performance so the band will have a professional album with a high-quality music video created by our students. This provides them with great hands-on experience and allows them to build their portfolio with a new and dynamic project.
Some students will also assist in editing the raw materials to create the final album. This is a great opportunity to see how to fine-tune recordings to ensure high-quality products that are ready for external audiences.
Within our Music faculty, students are encouraged to get involved and learn the trade wherever possible. They will often perform at local gigs and festivals with students helping with the set-up and production, acting as sound technicians to ensure to event runs seamlessly. Also, by inviting a range of musicians into the college who have different requests and preferences to enhance their sound helps to broaden the students’ knowledge base and better prepare them for working with clients in the industry.
Whether students are interested in playing music or working as a production technician, our Music courses enable students to be versed in every aspect, so they gain a holistic understanding of Music Production. This makes them an integral part of any gig or show as they have a level of experience working behind the scenes.
Thank you to The Peripheries for joining us on campus and working with our students to give them hands-on experience in the industry. Also, well done to our students for taking on all responsibilities with professionalism and maturity!
This live performance forms part of the Music and Media Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College’s Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners’ careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.
Progress to the next level in Music! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here!
The next date in my series of small group all-day in-person PR workshops for small business owners is on Wednesday 24 September, and I’d love to see a BCI member there!
There’s just ONE spot left.
BOOKED IN A DAY 🎉
📅 Wednesday 24 September 2025, 10am – 4pm
📍 Tobacco Factory, Bristol
🎟️ 6 spaces (Only ONE left!)
🔗 Details + tix: https://bridiehinson.co.uk/bristol-pr-workshop
Designed for small business owners, I’ll help you reach more people with your mission and message, build trust, and put yourself forward for new opportunities.
It’s a chance to learn how to position yourself, craft key messages and stories, and pitch for opportunities such as guest podcasts, guest workshops, speaking gigs, press features, collaborations, partnerships and more!
You’ll gain skills, confidence and resources to promote yourself beyond social media 🎉
The day will be informative and interactive with time to action the learnings during the workshop itself, you’ll also get mini 1:1s with me and peer support in a small group👌
You’ll leave with:
💎 what you do, your expertise, and experience shaped into PR hooks and stories
💡 exciting ideas to promote your business beyond social media
💪 confidence to put yourself out there and pitch
Kate said: “A brilliant, energising day packed with practical tools, inspiring ideas, and expert insight that made PR feel not just doable, but exciting. Bridie delivers the course with warmth and expertise. I left with a clear plan and much more confidence.”
Morin said: “Booked in a Day was transformative. It expanded my understanding of where my voice belongs and needs to be heard. Having my ideas and approach validated by a PR expert has completely shifted how I feel about pitching myself and my expertise from ‘ick’ to ‘yay!’”
The event takes place on the top floor of Tobacco Factory with a balcony and spectacular views 😍
BOOKED IN A DAY 🎉
📅 Wednesday 24 September 2025, 10am – 4pm
📍 Tobacco Factory, Bristol
🎟️ 6 spaces (Only ONE left!)
🔗 Details + tix: https://bridiehinson.co.uk/bristol-pr-workshop
If you’ve always been curious about voice acting and voiceover (VO) but don’t know where to start, BRAVA’s Foundation Course is designed for you.
Taught by BRAVA’s CEO and principal coach, Melissa Thom, this low-cost, accessible group course is the perfect introduction to the art and business of VO, giving you a solid introduction to the foundational skills, techniques, and knowledge you’ll need in order to take your next steps with confidence.
Whether you’re completely new to VO, coming from acting, broadcasting, marketing, advertising, or another creative discipline, or even an experienced VO artist who has never undertaken any specific training, this course offers a friendly, live, and bespoke learning experience.
What to expect
Over three live, interactive online sessions, you’ll:
You’ll also get a taste of BRAVA’s professional, personalised coaching style. By the end of the course, you’ll know exactly what’s involved in taking your training further.
This course also serves as your direct entry into Stage 1: Narration – our intensive one-to-one coaching programme that prepares you to record your first professional narration demo and enter the market.
Course details
Not sure if VO is right for you? That’s exactly why this course exists.
In just three evenings, you’ll understand how the VO world works, get live feedback on your voice, and find out if this is something you’d love to pursue.
The group is limited to just 12 people, so you’ll have space to ask questions, get feedback, and feel supported.
Dates: 9,10 and 11 September 2025 (Tues, Weds, Thurs) – 7pm | Online
Price: £180 (inc VAT)
Why BRAVA?
At BRAVA, all of our training is live and tailored to you. There are no pre-recorded modules and we work with people of all ages and experience levels from 20 yrs+, with backgrounds in acting, broadcasting, marketing, advertising, and more.
You’ll benefit from the expertise of professional coaches who understand the nuances of the craft and the business. Many people are surprised by how much there is to learn and how much they can grow, even in just three weeks.
To book, please visit: https://www.brava.uk.com/voiceover-foundation-course
We’re thrilled to bring back The Artist’s Way—a 12-week facilitated creative challenge, curated and led by the brilliant Natasha Bergg, Creative Facilitator and all-round inspiring human. After a hugely successful members-only course last year, this time we’re opening it up to the wider creative community of Bristol.
Never heard of The Artist’s Way? It’s a transformative ‘creative recovery’ programme based on Julia Cameron’s bestselling book, designed to help you reconnect with your creative flow. Whether you’re a professional artist, budding creative writer, or you’re trying to achieve a specific goal, this course will challenge you to find fresh perspectives, figure out what’s blocking your creativity and how to get out of your own way.
Each week, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate, reflect on and discuss the book’s weekly creative provocations as part of a small group – all guided by Natasha’s unique, playful and supportive approach to creative exploration.
This autumn, we’ll be hosting the workshop weekly and in-person for 13 weeks from Wednesday 8th October to 21st January, 5:30-7pm in our Production Space at Brunswick Square. This includes an introductory session followed by the 12-week course itself, including a break over the winter holidays.
Each week brings a new theme, along with prompts and exercises that might have you unearthing childhood dreams, rethinking your relationship with time and money, or trying something out, just for the joy of it.
As well as lifting the course off the page and bringing it to life in the room through hands-on collaborative and individual activities, this year’s course will also have a natural theme – whether we’re drawing wisdom from nature or using natural materials in our work.
It’s up to you how much time you invest in the course, but we recommend that you set aside at least a few hours each week to complete activities that we don’t cover in the sessions. Trust us, you won’t regret it!
We’re super excited to be opening this up to a wider audience this year and can’t wait to meet you.
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