The creative sector is full of opportunity. And it’s growing fast – contributing around £124bn* to the UK economy (that’s on par with the construction sector) and growing 13% faster than the wider economy.
It means it’s a sector with jobs and opportunity – one that young people should have on their list to explore as a future career.
Not just artists and performers
Creative work isn’t one-size-fits-all. It includes technical roles, freelance makers and jobs that mix creativity with business, tech, craft and more.
Think: games developers, fashion stylists, set builders, content-creators, sound designers, stone-masons, prop makers – and many others students may never have heard of.
But too many young people still rule it out
Some don’t think they’re creative. Some don’t think these are “proper jobs”. Others just haven’t had a chance to see what’s out there.
We’re here to change that. We help schools connect directly with people working across the creative industries, so students can hear honest stories, ask questions and see the huge variety of creative careers that exist.
We’re therefore pleased to be working in partnership with Discover! Creative Careers to make this happen – with a special highlight in November when it is Discover! Creative Careers Month. Whether you’re a teacher, an employer, an employee or a parent – you can join us in making a difference!
Connecting students with real people in real jobs
We’re lucky to have a brilliant network of volunteers who do these jobs every day and who are keen to share what it’s really like with students.
They come from different backgrounds, different parts of the UK, and bring completely different experiences. That’s what makes this work – young people get to meet real people doing really different jobs, many of which they’ve never even heard of.
We’ve got tattoo artists, sound engineers, illustrators, museum technicians, thatchers, radio producers, games developers, authors, architects, prop makers, graphic designers and professional musicians – just to name a few. Some work freelance, some for global companies, some run their own creative businesses.
You can be creative in your job, or be a non-creative in the creative industry.
They continually blow us away with their experiences and absolute enthusiasm for engaging with students.
Two ways to get involved
1. Bring creative volunteers in to chat with students
You can use our platform to invite someone working in a creative role or in a creative sector to visit your school – virtually or in person.
These sessions bring subjects and careers to life, showing students what’s possible and how people actually got there.
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Our volunteers are really enthusiastic and keen to interact with students to give them up to date insider knowledge, and inspire them to think bigger and broader.
“Bringing together a diverse range of practitioners enriches students’ experiences, learning and opens up the creative world for them.” – Teacher, Fashion Event
We give you direct access to our network of volunteers across the UK – so using the search facility on our platform you can specifically select people in the creative sector. When you decide the type of activity you want to run – maybe a speed-networking type activity with a selection of volunteers, a few people to speak with a Q&A opportunity, a series of sessions, or part of a wider event – simply invite the volunteers that fit best.
If you’re not sure where to begin, we run really practical webinars that help you figure out what to do, give you ideas, and show you how to get the most out of the Inspiring the Future platform.
2. Make the most of Discover! Creative Careers Month
Each November, Discover! Creative Careers runs a national programme of free, employer-led activities for schools and colleges.
Employers host a variety of events including talks, workshops, live sessions and behind-the-scenes insights from organisations across the creative industries.
Experiences and activities include:
- ‘Meet the staff’ events at renowned museums and heritage sites
- Interactive workshops exploring skills in advertising, architecture, design and more
- Backstage tours and technical demonstrations at music venues and film studios
- Screenwriting workshops with famous production companies
You can search for activities in your area, and plug into these ready-made opportunities. Or use them to build your own careers activity around. Support, resources and a full calendar of events are available to help.
I work in the creative sector and am interested in volunteering
That’s great news. By sharing your career story – however straightforward or squiggly it has been – you’ll have a significant impact on the young people you speak with and their future. We purposely want to attract diversity – so if you’re new to your career, or have 20+ years experience, if you feel you’re ‘entry level’ that’s great – as is being the MD. Everyone is of equal importance, as you each have a different story, background, vision or experience that young people can relate to.
When you volunteer, you’re provided with our Inspiring the Future volunteer resources and our small, friendly team is only at the end of the phone or email. Once you join, you can search for activities you’d like to join in, and teachers can invite you to participate in their events.
“The event worked well with pupils engaged and asking questions. It opened young people’s minds to a range of creative jobs and how they might find their path to one.” – Su Blackwell, Paper Artist.
All we ask is an hour of your time each year – that would be fantastic.
I’m an employer and want us to get involved
As part of Discover! Creative Careers Month, you could in host an activity at your workplace in November – introducing students in your area to what you do and giving them that insight that will really inspire them for the future. It could be a workplace tour, or a virtual speaking event, there are various options. Find out more, including details of information sessions for organisations by visiting the Discover! Creative Careers website.
We also welcome you to work with Inspiring the Future – opportunities include encouraging your employees to volunteer and visit schools (online or in person), funding a specific project of your choice, hosting an event at your offices/workshop, featuring in our video resources for schools or joining our teacher training sessions to educate schools on the sector.
For anything relating to Inspiring the Future please complete the expression of interest form and we can have a chat about how you can get involved – however big or small, we are a small charity and appreciate everyone who gets involved.
I work in a school and this is perfect for inspiring our students
Your pupils will learn about a huge array of jobs they may never have considered when you join Inspiring the Future.
You can get in touch directly with volunteers who have creative jobs, or who work in the creative sector, and invite them to take part in your own activities either at your school or virtually.
Whichever you choose, your students can learn about necessary skills, different career paths and the school subjects that are important for future opportunities. We also run training sessions for educators, and have a brilliant team here who are very keen to help. Most are former teachers, so they have the practical knowledge and insights to help too.
It’s quick and easy to join Inspiring the Future – and there’s no cost to schools.
About Discover! Creative Careers
Taking place across November, Discover! Creative Careers Month 2025 is an industry-led initiative designed to provide young people aged 11-18, from England, with encounters and experiences of the creative industries through in-school, workplace and online opportunities.
During the month, hundreds of employers from across the creative industries will volunteer their time to offer free activities to schools/colleges that will inspire young people and inform them about the thousands of job roles and pathways that exist in these thriving sectors.
The Discover! Creative Careers website is home to a wide range of careers resources and tools that offer extensive wrap-around support for visits and help schools/colleges meet several Gatsby Benchmarks, including industry-led lesson plans, film resources and an interactive creative careers finder for students. Explore the Discover! Creative Careers website.
Discover Creative Careers 2025-2026 is funded by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) It is being delivered by ScreenSkills, in partnership with almost 30 organisations representing the creative industries, of which Inspiring the Future is one.
*Source: UK Parliament stats 23/24 so the numbers have increased even more since then
