Calling All Creative Industry Professionals: Become a Mentor (& Mentee) with Creative Opps!
Many young people aspire to work in the creative industries, but access to meaningful guidance and long-term support is often limited.
Research shows that while 76% of people believe having a mentor is important, only 37% actually have one (Forbes). For those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, this gap is even wider due to lack of networks, reliance on unpaid labour, and short-term support that doesn’t foster lasting relationships.
At Creative Opps, we know that real progress happens through sustained connections, shared knowledge, and collective support. Careers in the creative sector are rarely straightforward — and access should never depend on luck or insider connections. Proper support builds confidence, develops skills, and opens clear pathways.
Why Become a Mentor?
As a mentor, you’ll play a crucial role in breaking down structural barriers such as economic disadvantage, limited social capital, and under-representation within the creative industries.
Our Mentorship Programme pairs you with a young creative for 1-2 hours per month over six months, supporting their career progression with a personalised plan you co-design together. The programme is for people based in England and Wales)and offers reasonable expenses to support your involvement.
You’ll also get to attend an in-person mixer event to connect with other mentors and celebrate the programme’s impact.
Proven Impact
- 96% of mentees improve their communication skills
- 100% become better at receiving and acting on feedback
- 85% feel more confident planning their next steps
- 95% gain clarity on relevant employers and organisations
- Mentors report increased confidence advocating for socio-economic diversity
- Mentors are more likely to hire from lower-income backgrounds
Get Involved
If you have professional or academic experience in the creative sector and want to support the next generation of talent, we’d love to hear from you!
Deadline — February 16th 2026
The programme will kick off in mid-March, 2026
Interested in being a mentor? Do you have experience in a professional or academic field that you think a young person could really benefit from? Please fill out this form.
Interested in being mentored? If you’re aged 18-30, have big aspirations and need some advice and guidance to get where you want to go then please fill out this form and we’ll be in touch.
This mentoring program is made possible through funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.
