UP CREATIVE EDUCATION
Creative skills. Real pathways.
Hands-on creative and digital programmes helping young people build confidence, experience and clearer routes into the future.
UP CREATIVE impact so far
UP CREATIVE youth programmes have already supported young people across South London through hands-on, industry-led learning in professional creative environments.
Young people engaged
Across creative, digital, AI, podcasting, film and virtual production programmes.
Structured sessions
Delivered through practical, industry-led learning experiences.
Schools and youth organisations
Partnered with UP Creative to widen access to creative and digital learning.
Age range supported
Supporting young people from Year 9 upwards.
Average increase
In understanding and interest in creative career pathways.
Boroughs across South London
Including Croydon, Merton, Sutton, Richmond and Kingston.
UP CREATIVE Programmes
UP CREATIVE Education delivers practical, partner-led programmes that introduce young people to creative careers, digital skills and real production environments.
FOR SCHOOLS
CREATIVE CAREERS DAYS
Immersive one-day experiences introducing young people to creative careers, studio environments and hands-on media production.
- Good for exploring creative roles, technologies and future pathways.
- Includes practical activities in film, podcasting, digital content and virtual production.
FOR INDIVIDUALS
CREATIVE INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE WEEK
A multi-day experience where young people work on creative briefs, build production skills and take part in real-world project activity.
- Good for building confidence, teamwork and practical creative experience.
- Includes project-based learning, studio time and portfolio-building opportunities.
What young people gain
Our programmes help young people build practical skills, confidence and a clearer understanding of creative and digital opportunities.
PRACTICAL CREATIVE SKILLS
Hands-on experience with cameras, lighting, sound, podcasting, video, editing, AI tools and digital content.
CONFIDENCE AND TEAMWORK
Experience working in teams, sharing ideas, rotating roles and responding to real creative tasks.
PATHWAYS AND PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
A clearer view of future options, with opportunities to create real work and build evidence they can use next.
Why this matters?
The challenge is not a lack of talent. It is a lack of access, confidence, networks and visible routes into opportunity.
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE BEING LEFT OUT
More than one million young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK are not in education, employment or training.
INACTIVITY IS A GROWING BARRIER
Many young people outside education or work are economically inactive, meaning they are not currently seeking work or training.
ENTRY ROUTES CAN FEEL UNCLEAR
Creative and digital careers can feel difficult to understand without real exposure, guidance or contact with industry environments.
ACCESS TO FACILITIES IS UNEQUAL
Many young people and schools do not have access to professional studios, broadcast facilities or emerging creative technologies.
PORTFOLIO POVERTY BLOCKS PROGRESSION
Without real work, production credits or practical evidence, young people can struggle to progress into courses, placements or entry-level roles.
DIVERSE TALENT NEEDS REAL OPPORTUNITY
The creative industries need wider, more diverse pathways, but young people need practical access before they can see themselves in those roles.
The gap we help close
UP Creative Education gives young people access to professional environments, real equipment and project-based experiences that help make creative pathways more visible, practical and achievable.
Education case studies
Our education work includes work experience, youth development activity and creative learning projects delivered in professional studio environments.
EMIL’S WORK EXPERIENCE
Emil, a BRIT School student from Croydon, joined UP Creative for a week of work experience. During his time in the studio, he explored production workflows and developed a personal stop-motion project, showing another creative use for the space.
REACHING HIGHER SESSION
Reaching Higher, a youth charity, used the Podcast Studio for an educational session with young people. The visit supported a safe, welcoming environment where participants could explore transferable skills, lived experience and creative confidence.
Who we work with
UP CREATIVE Education is built through partnership. We work with organisations that want to widen access to creative and digital skills.
Schools and colleges
Helping students access creative spaces, industry insight and practical learning.
Funders and trusts
Supporting youth skills, social mobility, creative access and practical pathways.
CSR partners
Helping organisations support young people, future talent and useful work skills.
Local authorities
Supporting place-based youth skills, creative access and employability pathways.
Universities
Connecting widening participation goals with practical creative learning routes.
Community partners
Helping community partners reach young people and remove barriers to opportunity.
Help us open creative pathways
UP CREATIVE Education is built through partnership and support. If you want to deliver a programme, involve young people, support a school partnership or help fund future opportunities, we would like to hear from you.