A host of creative enterprises attended a vibrant launch event on Wednesday 13 November, to find out how Re:Create Westminster could give their business a New Year’s boost.
Set amongst a colourful display of carnival art and costumes from the North Paddington community association, Flamoyan, they heard how Re:Create has already reaped rewards for participants in last year’s scheme, run in the London borough of Wandsworth.
Images taken at Re:Create Westminster Launch – Credit: Oliver Goodrich
Running for the first time in Westminster, the programme will help a wide range of creative businesses enhance their business skills and networks. The scheme will be offered free of charge thanks to funding from Westminster City Council’s Creative Enterprise Zone funding and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Applications for the programme are open until 5 pm on Friday 13 December for any Westminster-based creative enterprise that has been trading for a year or more.
A cohort of 40 will then be chosen to receive three hours of individual coaching and advice from industry experts in the New Year.
Alongside specialist mentoring for the chosen cohort, the Re:Create programme will give any creative business in the borough the chance to broaden their networks and skills, through events and a bespoke E-learning course.
Our Chief Executive, Mary-Alice Stack, said:
“As a social enterprise, Creative United is dedicated to supporting the economic growth and social impact of the creative industries. We know from experience how this tailored approach helps creative businesses flourish and thrive. It’s brilliant to work with Westminster City Council to bring the benefits of Re:Create to the borough.”
Speaking at the launch, three creative businesses from last year’s programme spoke about the impact of Re:Create on them and their business.
“I would highly recommend the mentoring approach. It was a wake-up call and totally changed my strategy,” said fashion designer, Tina Aileen. “ I do sustainable fashion, and my mentor helped me to make my business more sustainable for my life, and more fun too.”
“I was matched really well with my mentor. He understood my previous experience and what I was trying to do,” added Natalie Teming-Amoako of Afrochick Productions. “It was an amazing experience for me. When you join this kind of course you have step-by-step guidance with somebody that can walk you through all of your plans, that’s why the mentorship is really helpful.”
Artist Sarah-Jane Field agreed: “I’d received generic support previously that was not tailored for me. This was so much more useful and focussed. It helped me clarify the next steps at that point. Now I’m on the way to where I want to be.”
Images taken at Re:Create Westminster Launch – Credit: Oliver Goodrich
Re:Create Westminster is the latest in a line of Re:Create programmes running across the London boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond in 2024/5. Piloted and developed in Wandsworth, the scheme saw 3 new jobs created, 5 jobs safeguarded and an estimated additional income of £165,000 generated amongst last year’s 50 participants. Read more about the programme here.
Creative businesses in Westminster’s Creative North Paddington Enterprise Zone(CEZ) are strongly encouraged to participate as part of the council’s drive to create a place where creative production grows, is sustainable, and is accessible for all.
To access the Re:Create Business Skills E-learning course, creatives should fill in a short eligibility form with their Westminster postcode to receive a 100% discount code.
The Carnival Arts Retrospective Exhibition and workshops by Flamboyan Community Association was open to the public from September 2024 – 16 November 2024. The exhibition aimed to create a better awareness of carnival arts, its rich and diverse cultural heritage and creative capacity within the North Paddington area.
