Impact Studies

I secured a place on the first cohort of Children’s Capital of Culture traineeships in 2022, finding purpose and passion in helping others experience arts and culture in Rotherham.

At 22 years old, I am now the Engagement Manager for the Children’s Capital of Culture programme, making the whole thing happen alongside other young people from Rotherham who are genuinely changing the fortunes of our hometown.

We’re delivering youth events and making the town centre a more energetic place to be, encouraging more creativity in schools, giving young people access to more arts qualifications and skills, and giving work to young artists and creatives trying to get their first break here.

Young people do not need to leave Rotherham to work in the creative sector. There is so much talent in Rotherham, from the performers we’ve booked for music festivals, to young filmmakers who now work at Netflix. The legacy of these traineeship schemes is magical and many of the young people who are part of the programme are now established as photographers, illustrators, writers and artists, all making their mark in Rotherham and much further afield.

Children’s Capital of Culture is showing Rotherham through the eyes, ears and actions of its young people, and we’re loving our moment in the spotlight.

I was selected as the Young Presenter in Residence for Children’s Capital of Culture in 2024, an opportunity which changed everything for me. I’ve been lucky enough to present at events like the Rotherham Show, WOW Festival and the Christmas Lights Switch-On, and I even started my own radio show last year on Rotherham Radio. Children’s Capital of Culture has given me the platform to hone my craft and try so many new things.

2025 isn’t just about one epic year - it’s about creating something that lasts and showing Rotherham’s young people that this town is full of possibilities. It’s about time we backed ourselves and showed the world what Rotherham can do.

After achieving an English degree from Oxford and an English MA at York, I am now back home working as a Children’s Capital of Culture trainee, full-circling back to my Rotherham roots.

Children’s Capital of Culture is helping challenge regional inequality, giving young people opportunities that aren’t dependent on qualifications, and rewriting Rotherham’s narrative.

My traineeship at Skills Street, a new ‘world-of-work’ education centre, makes me feel like I’m making those big changes. I’m highlighting routes into creative industries and Rotherham’s own cultural and heritage organisations, giving more young people creative opportunities that can build their futures, and a better future for our borough.

My journey with Children’s Capital of Culture began in July 2024 when I became a collections and exhibitions trainee at Clifton Park Museum. I expected to have to move away from my hometown for a job in the cultural sector, but I am so lucky to have this all on my doorstep.

By offering roles in these sectors, Children’s Capital of Culture is allowing young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to develop a successful career in the creative and cultural industries.

I recently became the new Young Artist in Residence at Clifton Park Museum, an opportunity funded by Children’s Capital of Culture and Arts Council which aims to nurture emerging creative talent in Rotherham.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to showcase my art in one of Rotherham’s most loved landmarks and develop my practice through a six-month residency at the museum’s Test Space. I have received a £2,000 cash prize, a materials budget, and one-to-one mentoring with an award-winning visual artist.

After a Children’s Capital of Culture traineeship in 2023, I secured my dream job at Channel 4 last year. I now work as a Digital Production Apprentice in 4Studio, the digital side of Channel 4, helping to deliver social sponsorships and social branded entertainment campaigns.

Channel 4 apprenticeships have thousands of applicants, so I was truly honoured to be selected. I’m getting the opportunity to develop skills in editing, camera operating and running. I've been a runner on three digital production shoots, two of which were international.

Being a part of Children’s Capital of Culture in Rotherham was the first time I felt my creative dreams were recognised and I was never told to "be more realistic" when I shared my goals of wanting to become a film producer. The only response was "how can we help get you there?"

It gave me the chance to shine, and I took it! I'll forever be grateful for that.

I’ve lived in Rotherham since I was nine years old. I’ve never seen it like is now, so full of excitement and opportunity for young people like me.

I work as a Children’s Capital of Culture project manager trainee at Skills Street, a brand-new multidisciplinary careers venue in Rotherham. I’m helping young people get meaningful employment and secure a better future, inspiring them with my own story.

Being part of the Children’s Capital of Culture programme is a privilege. I feel like I’ve witnessed what true care and support looks like for young people and their futures. I’ve learnt so much and had a lot of fun in the process, and now I can’t wait to make my stamp on the world.

I was one of the first trainees on the Children’s Capital of Culture trainee programme. I worked at Wentworth Woodhouse for six months, learning how to make films with an amazing team of young people like me and our mentors. It taught me how to do adult stuff and gave me a lot of confidence and contacts.

It’s thanks to this that my career started to blossom. Wentworth Woodhouse is one of the UK’s best country house estates, so it’s often used as a film or TV set. Netflix was there to film the TV series ‘Bodies’ one day and I asked if I could shadow. From there, I got invited back to be on set and had more and more great opportunities to meet people and create my own contacts.

I’ve since made a career out of it. I’m currently a freelance marshal and locations assistant for TV production companies, working on some huge shows and films including Adolescence alongside Steven Graham and the cast.

Children’s Capital of Culture was the best thing I ever did. It gave me the contacts and confidence to realise my ambitions and work in the industry I’ve always wanted to work in. I’m working on my own films and creative projects in the background, with a dream to become a director one day.

Being part of Children’s Capital of Culture has been one of the most important and life-changing experiences for me. It’s more than just events and workshops - it’s been a journey of personal growth, creativity, and finding my voice.

Starting with my Bronze and Silver Arts Awards, I began to realise just how much I could achieve when I pushed myself creatively. I felt more like me than ever - free, creative, and proud of what I was doing. Now I’m working towards my Gold Arts Award, and developing my skills even further, taking on leadership roles, and learning so much about myself along the way.

I also feel lucky to be on the Youth Programming Panel, where I get to meet new people and share my thoughts, values, and opinions. It’s exciting to know that our voices matter, and that what we say helps shape real projects.

Through this journey, I’ve also had the chance to volunteer at inspiring events like the WOW Rotherham Festival (Women of the World) and Roots Carnival. Watching people dance, smile, and celebrate together at Roots was something I’ll never forget, and I loved being part of that.

Children’s Capital of Culture has helped shape the person I’m becoming. I want to see it expand even more so that other young people can have the same chances I did – the opportunity to be creative, be heard, and feel proud of themselves.