Helen Wardropper, Creative Business Adviser

Billy Carrick, Barclays Specialist

Glenda Young, Author

Chris Allen, FIlm Practioner

Kevin Sinclair, Author

Creative Workshops - Creativity Collaboration Panel

The North East BIC offers the perfect environment for you to start and grow a business.Established in 1994 with the aim of encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship, we have created a unique community which fosters business success and inspires the next generation of entrepreneurs.

North East BIC

If you’re creative and curious about how to make money doing what you love... this event series is for you.

Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens

<h2>Because creativity thrives in good company, an event proudly brought to you by the North East BIC.</h2>If you’re a creative based in Sunderland, wondering how to move forward – or just wanting to meet others who get it – you’ve found your place.Whether you’re exploring self-employment, growing your creative business, or just want to share ideas with people who understand the ups and downs of working solo, this free and informal workshop is for you.<h2>What to expect</h2>You don’t need a business plan. You don’t even need a business idea.You just need a talent, a passion, or something you’re good at – and a desire to do something more with it.This event is more than a workshop – it’s a chance to:<ul><li>Meet other local creatives</li><li>Discover collaboration opportunities</li><li>Hear real stories from creative professionals</li><li>Explore how you might turn talent into income</li><li>Get plugged into Sunderland’s growing creative ecosystem</li></ul><h3>Meet the speakers</h3>Real stories from real creatives. No fluff, no textbook advice – just honest conversations about what it takes to turn your talent into a living. Hear from others who’ve lived the journey and who’ll share the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way.Helen Wardropper, Creative Business AdviserYour host Helen gets it. She’s walked the walk as a caricature artist and now helps others to turn their creative dreams into business reality.Billy Carrick, Barclays SpecialistBarclays community specialist focussed on offering support and resources to build skills and confidence around Money, Business, Digital and Safety.Glenda Young, AuthorBestselling author in two genres of historical sagas and cosy crimes. She is an award-winning short story writer and one of six finalists in the coveted Clement and La Frenais Comedy Award.Chris Allen, FIlm PractionerAs a filmmaker with Wycombe 89 he has written and directed numerous projects, including short films and documentaries which have had international awards success.Kevin Sinclair, AuthorFormer plasterer, now indie author of 19 books across 4 series. His fantasy and sci-fi books have thousands of readers, and use his experience of growing up in Sunderland as inspiration.<h3>What you’ll gain</h3><ul><li>Real-life experiences from fellow creatives</li><li>Collaboration opportunities with local businesses and creatives</li></ul><ul><li>Guidance on self-employment and business support options</li><li>Inspiration and insights from a diverse panel of experts</li></ul>This is also your gateway to <a href="https://www.ne-bic.co.uk/starting-your-business/" title="https://www.ne-bic.co.uk/starting-your-business/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">everything else the BIC offers</a> to help businesses get off the ground and grow. That includes one-to-one support, on-demand learning, mentoring, further workshops, Growth Lab events, introductions to useful connections, and more. Just dip into what’s right for you.<h3>Who it’s for</h3>This event is perfect for:<ul><li>Local creative collectives or support agencies interested in collaboration</li><li>Creatives based in the Sunderland Local Authority area</li></ul><ul><li>People wanting to get plugged into Sunderland’s growing creative scene</li><li>Anyone who feels ‘stuck in their own head’ and wants to explore new ideas with others</li></ul><h3></h3><h3>Feeling nervous?</h3>You’re not alone. We know it can be daunting to walk into something new.That’s why our community workshops are small, welcoming, and designed to be judgement free. No pressure. No business jargon. Just people helping people.<h3>Still unsure?</h3><a href="mailto:helen.wardropper@ne-bic.co.uk" title="mailto:helen.wardropper@ne-bic.co.uk" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Click here to email Helen</a> – she’ll walk you through what to expect and help you feel ready.<h3>What we are (and what we’re not)</h3>The <a href="https://www.ne-bic.co.uk/about/" title="https://www.ne-bic.co.uk/about/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">North East BIC</a> is a not-for-profit social enterprise that’s helped thousands of people just like you to start their own successful businesses since 1994. Helen explains what to expect from our business advisers <a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/rDdvCtXJSmI?si=oW9KvOJKMff8DdJ3" title="https://youtube.com/shorts/rDdvCtXJSmI?si=oW9KvOJKMff8DdJ3" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here.</a>Feeling nervous?You’re not alone. We know it can be daunting to walk into something new.That’s why our community workshops are small, welcoming, and designed to be judgement free. No pressure. No business jargon. Just people helping people.<h3>Can’t make the date?</h3>No worries! This is part of a series of Creative Workshops happening across Sunderland – check out the others. Prefer to learn online? Our Flying Start Workshops and Smarta eLearning might be what you’re looking for. Get in touch and we’ll help you find the format that fits.

This event is supported by <a href="https://www.ne-bic.co.uk/starting-your-business/enterprising-sunderland/#" title="https://www.ne-bic.co.uk/starting-your-business/enterprising-sunderland/#" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Enterprising Sunderland</a> and is funded by the UK Government through the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus" title="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">UK Shared Prosperity Fund.</a>

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Creative Workshops - Creativity Collaboration Panel

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