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SIGN Up! Mentoring scheme

The SIGN Up! mentoring scheme has now closed for applicants. 

The SIGN Up! mentoring scheme is looking for people outside of London who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, or who would be willing to help those who have. 

We’re matching mentors across the screen industries with freelancers impacted by Covid-19 who need their help  to survive and start to rebuild their portfolios and skills in the wake of the pandemic. 

Sign up for support

We are looking for freelancers from across the screen industries, including scripted and unscripted film and television, animation, games, VFX and post-production. 

Are you a freelancer or small business needing help to build your ability to respond and move forward in these challenging and highly competitive times? Could you benefit from the expertise and support of an experienced industry professional as well as a structured training course on how to maximise your skills and build your career? If so, we want to hear from you.

As part of the course you will receive one-to-one mentoring from an established industry professional as well as online training. You’ll learn skills in career development, professional practice, network-building, understanding the sector and managing your own business.

Participants will be paired with a mentor for six meetings, over a six- month period. Together you will explore how to adapt to the changing needs of the screen industries, identify your unique strengths and how you can navigate the sector. 

You will also undertake a series of training workshops that will enhance your career development goals and you will be given access to a network offering peer-to-peer support. Together with your mentors and other participants, you’ll create and access a broad network of industry contacts.  

Benefits to participants:

  • The chance to increase your network
  • Building your confidence in your skillset
  • Developing a greater understanding of your ability to manage change
  • Gaining support in how to communicate your unique skills.

Do you want to be a mentor?

We’d also love to hear from industry professionals who have skills, experience and networks that they would be willing to share with those impacted by Covid-19. We’re looking for individuals who are able to give back to the screen industries community by helping those who are less established, and greater impacted by the problems thrown up by the pandemic. 

As a mentor you will:

  • Receive comprehensive training on coaching and mentoring techniques such as the growth mindset and how to empower others
  • Support participants to self-reflect and gain the opportunity to reflect on your own career journey and achievements
  • Expand your network within the screen industries – you’ll meet and talk with other professionals in your sector. 

Further information

The SIGN Up! scheme is jointly funded by SIGN and ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen industries. 

We recognise the strength and creativity that a diverse and inclusive workforce brings, and aim to increase access to opportunities by welcoming applications from under-represented groups. 

We’d particularly love to hear from you if you are from a group both historically or presently excluded from the screen industries. This could include: Black, Asian and minority ethnic people; women; those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; those identifying as LGBTQ; people with disabilities; and those people wishing to enter the industry above the age of 35.

Contact us

For further help, advice and details on the scheme, please contact:

Pip Rackstraw
email: [email protected]

This project is part of: