Winchester Creatives is back - this time with a social purpose. The current global recession has created a hole in the jobs market for young people and we’re seeking your support to help them 'Mind the Gap.
According to the BBC, under 25’s are experiencing increased feelings of hopelessness and job despair. The Resolution Foundation Think Tank predicts the UK level of unemployment will rise leaving 2 million under-25s out of a job for the foreseeable future. The creative industry is being hit hard and it is clear something has to be done quickly to stop our young people from falling through the gap.
So we’ve launched this crowdfunding campaign to fund apprenticeship and mentoring schemes to help local 20-24 years olds from the Winchester district to ‘get in and get on’ in the creative industry.
Winchester Creatives began life in 2017 as an informal monthly event for local creatives to have a chat, share some pizza and be inspired by local creative speakers.
Local designers, developers, marketers, photographers, illustrators, journalists, film-makers all shared their skills. Before long, a strong local community was created.
Last year Winchester Creatives took a break and looked likely to stop entirely. Until now. We’ve now transformed it into a not-for-profit social enterprise on a mission to support young people affected by the post-COVID-19 recession.
Richard Coope, Founder of Brightful, recognised this community as a creative solution to the problems young creatives are facing in the post-pandemic world.
So when Richard received a £2,000 Projects That Matter grant from Winchester City Council in collaboration with Crowdfunder to relaunch Winchester Creatives he called Dan Benham, who previously ran it, to get the team back together.
Richard and Dan both felt strongly that the new focus for this community group should be to support people that will be adversely affected by the current recession. So Winchester Creatives was relaunched as a not-for-profit social enterprise in June 2020, to support young creatives’ land their first role in the creative industry.
Our aim is to support 5 recent graduates aged between 20-24-year-old from local Hampshire universities, Higher Education Institutions and local Academies to provide them with necessary online training and help to actively support them into the workplace. We hope to inspire and enable more diversity and inclusion in our digital and creative industry, so we are actively encouraging candidates from BAME and diverse backgrounds to apply.
Our crowdfunder targets are as follows…
£5,000 from this crowdfunding campaign (August 2020) - to support 5 apprentices with some dedicated online training and coaching support from the Winchester Creative team.
Thanks to the Projects That Matter grant application awarded to us from Winchester City Council, any crowdfunding pledge made on this platform will be match-funded up to the value of £2,000.
If we reach our stretch £6,000 crowdfunding target, we plan to provide a further 5 mentoring opportunities for candidates that don't receive these apprenticeships, who will be matched with monthly mentoring sessions for local creative leaders for a period of 5 months.
Beyond our initial crowdfunder campaign we hope to also raise:
£50,000 in sponsorship from local businesses (by October 2020) - to provide 5 apprentices, across 5 disciplines with paid-for work-placements in 5 agencies for 5 months. In addition, we'll provide mentoring support for 10 candidates that don’t receive apprenticeships. We are specifically looking to support candidates from BAME and diverse backgrounds, who we encourage to apply.
After this year we are looking for further grants and support from social enterprise trusts to help establish Winchester Creatives as a funded enterprise to support the next cohort starting in Sept 2021and Sept 2022.
Now it’s over to you - the local community, local businesses, local trusts and every one of us around Hampshire. We’ve all got through lockdown, we’ve worn our masks and kept our distance, but much of the effect of the pandemic is only just starting to show itself.
We need everyone to stand up and do what they can to invest in our collective future. The more we can do together today, the more creative, diverse, innovative, inclusive and prosperous our tomorrow will be.
Please support this campaign in whatever way you can. Thank you.
We’ve got an excellent array of rewards available for people, provided by some incredibly talented local creatives...
Show your support by purchasing your personalised Winchester Creatives wristband, designed by Winchester's local graphic designers, Aryion Petrelle and Dan Bee. You have the option to purchase in classic white or stylish black wristband options. As with all rewards (and if you give us permission), your name will also be placed on a 'Roll-call of Honour' on our website to thank you for your kind support.
It's time to add some style and panache to your face mask. Please support our initiative by purchasing this stylish face mask. Wear it with pride as you go about your business in Winchester and Hampshire knowing you've supported an excellent cause. The facemask has been produced by local designer, Ellie Taylor.
Designer Winchester Creatives Coffee Mug (£20, two options available)
Recieve this designer Winchester Creatives mug, designed by local graphic designer, Dan Bee. Just think, you'll feel good about supporting this initiative every time you pour yourself a coffee. You can choose between our iconic 'WC' logo designed mug, or our zingy full worded 'Winchester Creatives' mug. Either way, once you take a sip from this chalice you'll instantly feel more creative. ;-)
Option 1: Iconic Winchester Creatives logo
Option 2: Stylish Winchester Creatives text
The Winchester Creatives team have created our own mascot, who we call 'Sid'. He represents the rebellious creative spirit of 'Sid Vicious' and the creative flair we want our young creatives to embrace. This is a special edition mug designed by local graphic designer, Dan Bee. Embrace your inner punk rocker, be more 'Sid' and purchase this exclusive special edition rare and collectable coffee mug.
When you are out and about shopping in Hampshire (with your 'Winchester Creatives' face mask on, of course) what you need is a stylish tote bag to match. What better way to shop than with this specially designed carrying bag, with a modern twist on Winchester's legendary King Alred's statue, that will make you the talk of the town. Forget buying a Gucci, Mulberry or Prada handbag, what you really need in your life is this designer 'Mind the Gap' tote bag by talented local designer, Ellie Taylor.
Receive your exclusive Winchester Creatives branded T-shirt, designed by local designer, Dan Bee. T-shirts are available in black and come in large, medium and small (i.e. kids size) options. Dan is an exciting young designer with 5 years of experience. His designs have a bold graphical look and feel. You'll look incredibly cool in this t-shirt wherever you roam.
Receive this unique print by Dan Bee, who is a young and dynamic Winchester-based designer. This print with unique 3D text type has been specifically commissioned for this campaign. It will liven up any creative studio, office or home. You will receive this as an A3 print on 200gsm satin stock. The print will be unmounted and unframed, so you can choose how you wish to frame it. This print is on a limited run, so grab it now while you can.
Receive this unique print by Ellie Taylor, who is a bright MA design graduate from Winchester University. She is a versatile designer, with a distinctive visual style as well as being a highly-skilled barista. You will receive this as an A3 print on 200gsm satin stock. The print will be unmounted and unframed, so you can choose how you wish to frame it. Pledge quick as these unique prints will go quick.
Receive a framed Winchester Creatives print by local designer, Matthew Hampsey. Matthew has recently graduated from Winchester University with a first-class degree honours. He has a unique illustrative and graphical style. You will receive this as an A3 print on 200gsm satin stock. The print will be unmounted and unframed, so you can choose how you wish to frame it. Pledge quick as these unique prints will go quick.
Receive this unique print by Aryion Petrelle, a super bright and passionate designer who has been working in Winchester for the last few years. Inspired by the 'Me too' and 'Black Lives Matter' movement, Ary's print uses bold type to convey a powerful message to make our industry more diverse and inclusive. You will receive this as an A3 print on 200gsm satin stock. The print will be unmounted and unframed, so you can choose how you wish to frame it. Support this courageous designer's work by purchasing her print today.
3-hour outdoor art class from Winchester's local live-event artist, Lucy McLoughlin. Fun for anyone of any artistic experience - novice or advanced, young or old. She'll teach you some useful tips and tricks and help you produce your own mini-masterpiece. Be it painting a person or something inspired by nature, you'll all leave with an artistic memento to treasure. Lucy will bring all the art materials. You just bring yourselves, your creativity and some personal refreshments. The classes will be held outdoors at North Walls Recreation Ground, Central Winchester, at a date to be confirmed during the summer. You can find out more about Lucy's creative workshops here.
Adriana from Adrienne Photography has been creating a wonderful photographic snapshot and journal of families during lock-down. Adriana will come to your house and will take a number of photos of you and your family to capture the fun memories of surviving lockdown. You can see some of her amazing photos here. This reward is highly recommended and is limited to 5 families. So act fast before this reward goes.
On top of this, every individual who contributes to making Winchester Creatives crowdfunding initiative a reality will receive a shout-out in the form of an online 'roll-call' of local heroes on our website. Please let us know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous.
For more information, please visit our website:
www.winchestercreatives.co.uk
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Thank you for your kind support and for making a difference.