Next Us: Supporting Lambeth NEET Youth (16-24) Into Creative & Digital Careers

Next Us is a year-long programme that aims to support Lambeth residents aged 16 to 24 and not in education, employment or training (NEET) into careers in the Creative and/or Digital sectors.

With 1:1 wraparound support from Creative Link Workers, participants will explore pathways into employment, education and training as well as gain access to paid opportunities including Creative ‘pre-employment’ Bootcamps, guaranteed interviews, internships and work experience placements.

This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Eligibility Criteria:

Lambeth resident
16 to 24 years old
Not in Employment, Education or Training

And fall into one or more of the categories below:

Homeless or at risk of homelessness
Care experienced 
Ex-offender
Carer/ex-carer
Refugee
Involved in Substance Misuse 
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Childcare responsibilities

Creative Bootcamps:

Our pre-employment bootcamps are designed to offer young people the opportunity to gain an insight into a specific creative discipline by working to a creative brief, alongside developing the skills necessary to enter the work of work/education. From visits to talks from industry professionals, to support with developing CVs and/or portfolios, the Creative Bootcamps offers an exciting opportunity to learn more about an area of interest or to be introduced to something completely new.

Creative Bootcamps are a 2 week programme and an incentive to participate is provided at £100 per week.

Creative Taster Days:

This is an opportunity to join a creative/digital organisation for the day to gain an insight into careers and opportunities available within the sectors through talks with industry professionals and the opportunity to work on a creative project to get first-hand experience on what it would be like.

This is a 1 day programme where an incentive to participate is provided at £20 for the day.

Internships:

In January 2025, our 6-month internships will start. From roles such as digital marketing and content creation to podcasting and producing, participants will get the opportunity to work with a variety of organisations and learn new skills to kickstart their creative and/or digital careers.

Guaranteed interviews will be offered to applicants who have attended one of the three Creative Bootcamps.

All internships will be for a minimum of 15 hours a week and paid at London Living Wage (£13.15 p/hr).

Work Experience Placements:

Our 20 hour work experience placements allows participants to get a taste of what it’s like to work in the Creative and/or Digital sector with one of community organisations without having to commit to a long period of time. From working in galleries to creative youth organisations, participants will get the opportunity to see what it’s like to explore an area of work they may not have previously considered.

Guaranteed interviews will be offered to applicants who have attended one of the three Creative Bootcamps.

All work experience opportunities are paid at London Living Wage.

Creative Link Workers:

Will offer 1:1 support to all participant who join the programme. From helping them to develop CVs, apply for jobs or education opportunities, to being there as a point of contact should any concerns arise. Creative Link Workers will be there to support participants throughout every step of their journey.

Additional Support Fund:

We understand that there are a variety of barriers that can prevent young people from accessing opportunities that are available. Therefore, we have set up an additional support fund that will cover things such as childcare and travel costs, access needs, help to purchase ID and more. Should any issues arise, just speak to your Creative Link Worker.

Apply Now

Current Opportunities

Role: Work Experience Placement
Title: Arts Education Assistant
Salary: £13.15 per hour
Hours: 20 hours
Opportunities available: 1
198 Contemporary Arts and Learning is a public art gallery and hub for social engagement, education and creative enterprise. Our work is deeply rooted in our local communities and is influenced by the radical history of Railton Road and the Brixton uprisings.
This placement provides an exciting chance for young people eager to begin a career in the creative sector. If you’re passionate about the arts and curious about how creative organisations work behind the scenes, this role could be the perfect fit for you!⁠
Key Responsibilities:
- Interest in Arts Education
- Interest in hands on creative activities such as drawing, painting, sculpture or similar art forms
- Problem solving
Closing date: 7th February 2025
To find out more and how to apply – Arts Education Assistant Work Experience
Role: Work Experience Placement
Title: Sales and Production Assistant
Salary: £13.15 per hour
Hours: 20 hours
Opportunities available: 1
198 Contemporary Arts and Learning is a public art gallery and hub for social engagement, education and creative enterprise. Our work is deeply rooted in our local communities and is influenced by the radical history of Railton Road and the Brixton uprisings.
This placement provides an exciting chance for young people eager to begin a career in the creative sector. If you’re passionate about the arts and curious about how creative organisations work behind the scenes, this role could be the perfect fit for you!⁠
Key Responsibilities:
- Interest in arts and events
- Ability to contribute creative ideas
- Clear verbal and written communication skills
Closing date: 7th February 2025
To find out more and how to apply – Sales and Production Work Experience
Role: 6-month Internship
Title: Junior Video Producer Intern
Salary: £13.15 per hour
Hours: 16 hours
Opportunities available: 1
Iconic Steps is a creative agency with a social impact! We deliver high quality digital marketing, advertising and communications services to our clients; we also support and train young people (16-35) from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to increase their opportunities in entering the media industry. Our purpose is to shake up the current dynamic in the creative industry and create a more inclusive, more equal environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Key responsibilities:
- Project Planning and Coordination
- Freelancer Management and Client Management
- Proposal and Pitch Creation
Closing date: 14th February 2025
To find out more and how to apply, Iconic Steps Junior Video Producer Internship
Role: 6-month Internship
Title: Marketing Intern
Salary: £13.15 per hour
Hours: 16 hours
Opportunities available: 1
Iconic Steps is a creative agency with a social impact! We deliver high quality digital marketing, advertising and communications services to our clients; we also support and train young people (16-35) from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to increase their opportunities in entering the media industry. Our purpose is to shake up the current dynamic in the creative industry and create a more inclusive, more equal environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Key responsibilities:
- Social Media Management
- Content Creation
- Community Engagement
Closing date: 14th February 2025
To find out more and how to apply, Iconic Steps Marketing Internship
Role: 6-month Internship
Title: Producer Intern
Salary: £13.85 per hour
Hours: 16 hours
Opportunities available: 1
NEON is excited to offer a paid internship opportunity as a Producer Intern. This role will support the development of their creative projects and performance initiatives. As part of the team, you will collaborate with key departments to manage artistic productions, coordinate project logistics, and support creative development. This is an excellent chance for someone eager to build their skills in creative and event productions.
Key responsibilities:
- Project Production
- Event Management
- Administrative Support
Closing date: 14th February 2025
To find out more and how to apply, NEON Performing Arts Internship
Role: Work placement
Title: Customer Service and Business Administration Placement
Salary: £13.15 per hour
Hours: 20 hours
Opportunities available: 2
The Boury Academy CIC is a not-for-profit performing arts organisation. Our mission is to increase access to professional performing arts opportunities, increase diversity in the arts, build confidence, creativity, community cohesion and provide a safe place to be outside of school hours. We work with children and young people aged 4-24. We believe in #PerformingArtsForEveryone.
You will gain experience across three different sections of The Boury, Studios, the Agency and the Academy.
Key responsibilities:
- Customer Service
- Administration
- Research and Networking
Closing date: 31st January 2025
To find out more and how to apply, The Boury Work placement
Role: 6-month Internship
Title: Customer Service and Business Administration Support
Salary: £13.85 per hour
Hours: 16 hours
Opportunities available: 1
The Boury Academy CIC is a not-for-profit performing arts organisation. Our mission is to increase access to professional performing arts opportunities, increase diversity in the arts, build confidence, creativity, community cohesion and provide a safe place to be outside of school hours. We work with children and young people aged 4-24. We believe in #PerformingArtsForEveryone.
This role is a Customer Service and Business administration support role, offering administrative support to the various areas of the organisation; The Boury Studios, The Boury Agency and the Boury Academy as well as being a client-facing role for families and Hires.
Key responsibilities:
- Working across 3 areas: Agency, Studios and the Academy
- Marketing support
- Liaising face to face with industry hires and visitors
- Point of contact for students and parents
Closing date: 31st January 2025
To find out more and how to apply, The Boury Internship