Business boost for talented Wandsworth creatives
By Charlotte Edwards
A group of Wandsworth creative enterprises are taking part in a successful business support programme this month.
Fifty participants have been selected for the third year of Re:Create Wandsworth, a scheme which aims to boost sustainability and business growth in creative industries.
Funded by Wandsworth council and delivered by social enterprise Creative United, the programme is designed to help creative industries in the borough develop sustainable business models and skills through expert support and training.
The project has received £37,500 from the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and has generated an estimated £165,000 in additional income, alongside new jobs.
Re:Create Wandsworth is part of ongoing work to grow the artistic and creative business sector and foster the next generation of artists and makers, as the borough prepares to become The Mayor of London’s London Borough of Culture in 2025.
The businesses selected this year include everything from photographers, podcasters and musicians, to spoken word poets, graphic designers and artists.
Each will receive four hours of tailored one-to-one business mentoring from experienced professionals, and the chance to grow their professional networks through in-person and virtual events.
In addition, the cohort, and any creative business in the borough, can benefit from free access to a suite of specially designed e-learning modules until September 2025.
This on-demand course covers a range of essential skills from marketing and e-commerce to funding and business resilience.
Councillor Kemi Akinola, Wandsworth council’s cabinet member for culture, said: “We recognise that working in the creative sector can be demanding, and we’re committed to assisting small businesses, freelancers, and artists in overcoming these challenges.
“We aim for participants in our programme to gain the insight and support necessary for growth.
“Our dedication to fostering the creative sector will be core to Wandsworth’s year as London Borough of Culture 2025.”
Find out all about the Re:Create Wandsworth cohort here.
Pictured top: Create Wandsworth participant Kristina Cha (Picture: ARTIQ)