Free support for creative businesses

Local creative businesses can get free, tailored one-to-one support to help them thrive.

Re-Create is Wandsworth Council’s bespoke business support programme for creative businesses, delivered in partnership with Creative United with funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Wandsworth has announced its bid for London Borough of Culture 2025 and Re:Create is part of its ongoing work to grow the local artistic and creative business sector and foster the next generation of artists and makers.

Deputy Council Leader Kemi Akinola went along to the launch of the second Re:Create programme at the World Heart Beat Music Academy in Nine Elms.

People who went through the first programme were also there to talk about how they benefited. All previous participants said the course increased their confidence in their business skills, 96 per cent said they had a better understanding of creating a marketing plan, and 92 per cent said they understood better how to create a business plan.

Justin Treadwell from Wandsworth-based arts production company Anarchy Division said: “Recreate helped clarify and pull together a specific vision, not just in terms of mission statement but also a specific growth plan beyond the current stage, which I had been stuck at for a while!”

Cllr Akinola said: “We know operating in the creative sector can be challenging, and we want to help small businesses, freelances and artists meet those challenges. We hope those of you who join the programme get the understanding and support you need to grow.

“Our passion for nurturing the creative sector is part of the reason we have decided to bid for London Borough of Culture 2025, and we would love to work with all local creatives over the coming months to develop a programme that works with all our communities, neighbourhoods and businesses.”

Re:Create offers 50 creatives and cultural businesses three hours of free tailored one-to-one business mentoring from business coaches in the creative industries plus an e-learning course, training videos and downloadable resources.

It also offers all Wandsworth-based creative and cultural businesses, artists and makers a free business skills e-learning course. The marketing and e-commerce module is available now and can be accessed here. The rest will be available from September.

The next Re:Create programme starts in September and applications are now open. Find out more and apply.

Find out about getting involved in the London Borough of Culture bid here.