This article has been written by @transparencymentalhealth
“Industry Insiders is an educational programme that gives young people the hope and inspiration they need to truly follow and design their dreams. They bring together positive role models from creative industries to show young people that their goals are achievable with the correct planning and mindset.
For those that show talent and initiative, there lies experiences and opportunities that would never be available, to the people that need it the most. It is a great initiative that really gets through to kids that can sometimes be deemed unreachable by educational bodies.
Most people know what steps they would take to get into industries, such as finance or health, but the routes into creative industries aren’t as straight forward. We often only see the end result of someone who’s worked to get there, which can make it confusing and demotivating for young people who dream to work in a creative field. I’m a mental health blogger and working alongside Industry Insiders.
My dream is to work in the creative industry as a presenter/speaker/YouTuber but I mainly only hear negative comments about this industry and the amount of exposure needed to make it. This feedback makes it seem so inaccessible, so organisations like Industry Insiders are really important because there’s a lot of talented young people who aren’t confident enough to explore and grow their talents to create a career with them. They make dreams come alive and feel achievable, giving those who need it the confidence and opportunities that weren’t there before.
The video featured is a 11-year-old boy called Yafet, a pupil from one of the schools they did an event at. Yafet has behavioural issues, but Industry Insiders were able to reach him and keep him focussed by showing him his dreams are attainable and he can make things happen for himself. Yafet attended a song writing class with Marlon Roudette (song writer for Mabel, Zara Larsson, Zayn Malik etc), Segun Fawole (producer, artist & writer), Jeff Nang (producer & artist), Taylo (artist) & Ella Maughan (Tap MGT/ Virgin EMI). He wrote a song about his cousin dying in the Grenfell Tower fire, in the song he explained how he felt he was left with half of his heart.
Yafet finished his song in his own time, found Industry Insiders on Instagram and sent them the song, he also put on the bottom I hope Deno (his idol) sees this. As a reward for using his initiative they took Yafet down to the studio to record his song and got Deno to surprise him with a gift from Puma and Asos which he then signed. They also took Yafet to Chunkz’s video set, he featured in the video and was able to see behind the scenes of a music video set. Industry Insiders are in constant contact with Yafet’s school and mum, checking in on his behaviour which they have said has really changed since he’s been given these opportunities.
Their next project will be a collaboration with Milk and Honey, a project for young women aged 15-20 which offers an expressive safe space, allowing them to flourish and take ownership of H.E.R (Healing, Empowerment and Resilience) through 1:1 sessions and group projects. This project will be called ‘The Power in Me’ and will focus on developing personal power and learning photography skills.
During the session they will be taking professional photos of other women from a list of influencers, creatives, artists, MPs, community leaders, business women, family and peers. They then have the chance to present their work in an exhibition which they get to plan themselves at the end of the course.
Industry Insiders and Milk & Honey are also planning a fashion focused event alongside Fiorucci, where participants will learn all about styling, creative direction and the fashion industry. They will be given free reign of the store to customise items and style their model, finishing in a photo shoot. We will then end the day with a Q&A panel with renowned fashion experts. Homework related to their task will be assigned, and the best entry will win a work experience placement in the fashion industry. Fiourucci will also be providing breakfast and giving away goodie bags to all participants.
If you are a female wanting to apply to be part of this day please email [email protected]
If you are a teacher at a school, run a community group, an investor wanting to get involved or are a creative wanting to teach, please get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Follow Industry Insiders and Milk and Honey on Instagram at @industryinsiderss and @milkhoneybees!
Watch Industry Insiders’ video of Yafet in the studio with Deno below.”
YAFETxDENO INDUSTRY INSIDERS from Lucy Rogers on Vimeo.