A spotlight on our Creative Industries Programme made possible by London Youth’s Summer Skills Grant

This past August, Spiral Skills, with the support of the London Youth Summer Skills initiative, brought together a group of ambitious young people from Lambeth and Southwark for our Creative Industries Programme. Designed as an immersive summer experience, the programme aimed to empower young minds to envision exciting futures in the creative industry while building essential skills for life and work. Thanks to the backing of London Youth’s Summer Skills Grant, we were able to make this programme accessible to young people aged 14+, providing them with hands-on experiences, mentorship, and the confidence to take their next steps.

This wasn’t just any summer programme. We crafted the Creative Industries Programme to bridge the gap between education and employment for young people—especially those who may not have access to resources or networks to explore their career dreams. With creative workshops, industry visits, and one-on-one career guidance, we wanted to make sure that each participant left feeling more inspired and more prepared for the future.

Why We Do What We Do

For many young people, the journey from education to employment is far from straightforward. When you add in the challenges of accessing creative industries—like design, digital media, and marketing—the path can feel even more daunting. The Creative Industries Programme was created to open doors for young people aged 16-24 who want to dive into creative careers but might need a bit of support to make it happen. Our goal was simple: help these young people develop the confidence and skills they need to take that first big step toward a fulfilling career.

A Summer of Discovery and Growth

Held at The Factory in Pop Brixton, the Creative Industries Programme was a three-day whirlwind of creativity, collaboration, and skill-building. This free programme welcomed young people from Lambeth and Southwark, with priority given to those not currently in formal education or employment. Here’s a peek into the journey they embarked on:

Creative Workshops: We kicked off with hands-on sessions led by top professionals, where participants learned the tricks of the trade and got to express their creativity in new ways. These workshops weren’t just about learning skills; they were about building confidence and sparking inspiration.
Skill Development: Beyond creativity, the programme developed essential skills that are valuable in any career—like teamwork, communication, and project management. Through group projects and interactive activities, participants learned how to work together and bring their ideas to life.
Industry Exposure: Visiting established creative companies and interacting with professionals was a highlight for many. These experiences provided a window into what their own futures in the industry could look like.
One-to-One Employment Support: Each participant received personalised guidance on things like CV writing, interview techniques, and job search strategies—practical tools to help them take the next step confidently.

We couldn’t have done this without the amazing contributions from our industry partners. Huge thanks go to Disguise, Jellyfish Pictures, John Doe, and actor Pearl Mackie, whose energy and expertise made these three days unforgettable for our participants.

Highlights from the Programme

There were so many memorable moments during the Creative Industries Programme. Here are just a few of the activities that had a lasting impact:

Immersive Tech at Disguise: At Disguise, participants got to explore cutting-edge VR and AR equipment used in entertainment. They even got to design a festival stage using professional software, giving them a taste of how powerful immersive technology can be in the creative world.
Creating Characters with Jellyfish Pictures: In the heart of Brixton, Jellyfish Pictures welcomed our young people into their award-winning VFX studio. Here, they worked alongside professionals to create their own film characters and even pitched their ideas to the Jellyfish team—a moment that many described as a huge confidence boost.
Real-World Marketing Challenge with John Doe: Partnering with the digital marketing agency John Doe, our participants worked on a live brief to create a campaign encouraging young people to play football for mental health. It was a fantastic opportunity to put their ideas into action and see how creativity can drive positive change.
Building Confidence with Pearl Mackie: Actor Pearl Mackie led a session focused on breaking down the barriers to public speaking and self-expression. Through acting exercises and team-building activities, Pearl helped participants find their voices—a skill that many carried forward into their pitches and presentations.

Ellise’s Journey: Finding Her Voice and Confidence

One of the programme’s standout participants, Ellise Gordon, joined the Creative Industries Programme with an open mind and a dream of breaking into the creative field. "I wanted to be more creative... I thought it would be really cool to go to an animation studio and see how VFX is done and basically just try everything," she shared with a smile. But she found much more than she expected.
“I thought it was going to be more listening and taking notes, but it was a lot more immersive,” Ellise said. One of her favorite moments was pitching a movie idea—an experience that gave her the confidence to believe in her creative potential. "I pitched the same idea at a Warner Brothers Discovery Day, and it was really well received. I had questions that I was able to confidently answer, because of the skills I learned in presenting myself through Spiral Skills."
Through the programme, Ellise discovered her unique leadership style. "I learned that I have my own way of leading by helping others find their voice." This newfound confidence led her to a week-long internship at John Doe, where she put her skills into action on real projects. Throughout her journey, Ellise was guided by her mentor Roxy from The Heard Agency, who checked in with her monthly and offered advice on sharing ideas with confidence. “Roxy has been really lovely and supportive. She checks in on me monthly and gives me invaluable advice, especially when it comes to sharing my ideas with confidence,” Ellise said.

A Lasting Impact: What We Achieved Together

The Creative Industries Programme left a significant impact on our participants, with both quantitative and qualitative results showing just how valuable this experience was:

83% of participants felt more prepared for work after the programme.
92% said they developed skills that would help them in their future careers.
67% felt that Spiral’s support had a direct impact on their success in the programme.
An average rating of 8.3 out of 10 for likelihood to recommend the programme to friends.

In their own words, many participants expressed newfound confidence and a clearer vision for their career goals. To read more about our impact and see how we’re making a difference, visit our Impact page.

What We Learned

Looking back, we’ve learned a lot from running the Creative Industries Programme. One of the biggest takeaways was the importance of creating an inclusive and safe space where young people can bring their whole selves. This environment allowed our participants, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to shine.

Mentorship also proved to be invaluable. For participants like Elise, having a mentor was key to building the confidence and skills needed to move forward. We’ve seen how powerful this kind of support can be, and it’s something we’ll continue to prioritise in future programmes.

What’s Next? Join Us in Empowering Futures

At Spiral Skills, we’re passionate about empowering young people and helping them unlock their potential. You can help us keep this mission alive:

Donate to our Empower Futures Campaign: Your support helps us create life-changing programmes like this one. Donate here.

Stay Connected with Spiral Skills: Keep up to date with our latest work, upcoming opportunities, and ways to get involved through our Linktree.

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Wrapping Up: One Step Closer to a Bright Future

The Creative Industries Programme was more than just a summer event—it was a transformative experience for every young person involved. We’re proud of what we achieved together and excited for what’s next as we continue to bridge the gap between education and employment. For Ellise and the many others who joined us, this was just the beginning of a bright future in the creative industry.

Together, let’s create more success stories and empower the next generation of creative leaders.

Igniting Creative Futures