Manchester, UK – Creative and digital industries in Manchester have a gross added value of £4.4bn and support 78,500 individuals. However, despite these impressive numbers, there is a noticeable gap in opportunities for the working class in the region. According to statistics, young talents from Manchester are 1.5 times more likely to face unemployment than the national average, a number that worsens for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Today, Creative Mentor Network, a UK charity committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the creative industries, is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking mentoring programme, Break the Wall, in Manchester. Geared towards 16-25-year-olds from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, Break the Wall aims to bridge the gap between aspiration and opportunity by pairing mentees with experienced professionals from Manchester’s vibrant creative industries.
Despite Manchester recently being named the UK’s creative capital, many lucrative creative roles remain out of reach for members of our community. The Policy & Evidence Centre’s 2022 report highlighted a harsh reality: while Manchester has the largest creative sector outside of London, investment tends to gravitate towards more affluent areas, leaving pockets of deprivation behind.
Natasha Khan, Acting Managing Director of Creative Mentor Network, recognizes the London-centric nature of the creative industry and the importance of supporting young people in other parts of the country. She says, “It’s important for us to support those young people in other parts of the country who want to pursue a career in the creative industries. We’ve had mentees from the North on our programmes before, but being able to run a programme in Manchester will make these opportunities more accessible and support the huge amount of talent that exists in the area. Manchester is such an exciting city with a thriving creative economy, and we can’t wait to connect with businesses here and help them see the value of the hidden talent on their doorstep.”
The latest Census data paints a sobering picture, revealing that young people in Greater Manchester face unemployment rates 1.5 times higher than the national average, with even graver odds for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Such disparities are further reflected in Labor Force statistics, which highlight the uphill battle our youth face compared to their counterparts in London, Surrey, and Hertfordshire.
A combination of barriers, including recruitment practices based on personal networks, underfunded careers education, and low wages, create significant obstacles for aspiring creatives from working-class backgrounds. At Creative Mentor Network, we understand that real change starts with breaking down these barriers.
Jenna Livesey, Business Director at Denstu Creative in Manchester, shares her personal experience and why she became a mentor for Creative Mentor Network. She says, “With significant cuts to creative courses across curriculums and youth services being pulled from councils, we’re now seeing the repercussions – an overwhelming lack of working-class representation in the creative industry. I’ve seen first-hand how a socio-diverse team can drive real change to client challenges and business needs; different perspectives breed different results. At the minute, creative agencies have never had to work harder to cut through. At Dentsu, we run our clients ‘team agnostically’. This means pooling teams together from across all three UK locations, not just one, depending on the need. We know the value of what a truly socio-diverse team can bring, and clients and businesses are experiencing the difference it makes. By becoming a mentor for Creative Mentor Network, I hope to use my personal and professional experience to not only discover and give opportunity to the next generation of talent, but also shape and ultimately diversify the creative industry.”
Break the Wall is not just about mentorship; it’s a catalyst for systemic change within the creative industry. By partnering with leading creative organizations such as Sony Music, Amazon Prime Video, WeTransfer, and the Advertising Producers Association, we are not only nurturing talent but reshaping industry norms. Our programmes not only equip young talents with skills and networks, but they also challenge industry leaders to become inclusive mentors and champions of socioeconomic diversity.
Through the charity’s holistic approach, they are not only empowering young talents to enter the industry but also ensuring they thrive within it. The impact of Creative Mentor Network’s initiatives extends beyond individual success stories; it is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship and inclusivity.
Cody Murray, a Manchester-based photographer and mentee alumni, shares how Creative Mentor Network has impacted his life and career. He says, “I hoped that being on this programme would help me understand the industry more and how to look for opportunities. What I got from it was far more than I could have ever expected. I presented at my showcase one week after turning 18. I was the youngest mentee and the first to present my work, I was so nervous. I had never spoken publicly before, even though I dropped my notes twice, and the microphone stopped working halfway through, the world didn’t end! After presenting at the showcase
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.