Arts-based educators Creative Briefs seek business sponsors

‘DOING FANTASTIC WORK’: The Creative Briefs team

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

An art-based education company has launched a new appeal for business sponsors to support its work with neurodivergent young people.

Creative Briefs has spent the last decade helping youngsters overcome barriers to learning through design-led activities and courses.

Initially aiming to help dyslexic children, the team behind the community interest company now provides support across a range of neurodiverse spectrums.

Founder Jason Bowers said his own experience as an undiagnosed dyslexic until the age of 35 now shapes his company’s thinking.

He said. “Creative Briefs is the outlet I wish I’d have had when I was younger so now I’ve created it for others.

“For example, neurodiverse children often struggle with text-led tasks and can feel unable to take part in what could be described as traditional learning.

“What we do is come up with activities which are practical, collaborative and creative-led, delivered by tutors and professionals with lived experience of neurodiversity.

“When we tell the young people of our own journeys, they are often surprised because we are qualified teachers. It immediately raises their confidence and aspirations.”

Along with extracurricular work and weekend activities, the Creative Briefs team also shares sessions with schools and academies through an online portal, allowing pupils to work independently and at their own pace while giving teachers the chance to co-develop resources in a partnership approach.

Jason added: “Through design-led problem solving, pupils get to make decisions, test ideas, refine outcomes and learn from mistakes.

“By breaking learning into manageable steps and normalising mistakes, this approach reduces fear of failure and actually builds confidence.”

He said the growing need for alternative education together with greater awareness of neurodiverse issues has seen an increase in demand from children across the UK for its online courses as well as face-to-face sessions.

Fund-raising and sponsorship helps the organisation offer subsidised places for additional children to take part.

Jason explained: “We are particularly keen to hear from business sponsors who have neurodivergent children or who have members of their team who are neurodivergent who might want to play a part in supporting the next generation.

“We also welcome donations from individuals through our ‘pay what you can’ scheme.”

Leo Lloyd, chief executive of destination and event consultancy Leopold Marketing, is a current Creative Briefs sponsor.

He said: “ We are always keen to support initiatives that help the next generation develop creative skills.

“Creative Briefs is doing fantastic work with neurodiverse young people, giving them the opportunity to explore art and design, build confidence and discover where their talents might take them.

“Supporting charitable work like this felt like a natural fit for us and we are really pleased to be able to play a small part in helping these young people develop their creative potential.”

More information on support and sponsorship options is available here.