This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
CREATIVE MEDIA WORKSHOPS
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CREATIVE MEDIA WORKSHOPS 〰️
Creative Skills Workshops
Young People's Workshops and Adult Creatives Empowerment Workshops
Evidence-based programmes creating confidence and capability through accessible media production
What We Offer
We deliver creative media workshops for young people aged 11-25 and adults who require support, building confidence through audio-first approaches that expand into video and other media forms. Alongside skills development, we create spaces for creatives, freelancers, and community groups to connect through our regular gatherings.
Built on 15 years researching how people learn together, applied through community practice since 2022, our methodology creates psychological safety that enables authentic creative expression.
Young People's Workshops (Ages 11-25)
Audio Art & Podcasting Foundation
We start with audio because most people freeze in front of cameras. Recording voices first - without the pressure of being watched - creates safety where creative exploration happens naturally. Once confidence builds, expanding into video becomes possible.
What Participants Learn: Audio recording techniques and editing, podcast creation and broadcasting, jingle making and sound design, digital visual creation for media content, field experience documenting real events.
Current Delivery: Four-week workshop blocks - each session is tech-focused, engaging, and practical. All equipment provided - no prior experience needed.
Recent Impact: Evaluation shows 100% confidence improvement amongst participants. Particularly transformative for home-schooled and isolated young people. Some participants progress to volunteer roles and occasional paid opportunities documenting community events.
Museum of London Archaeology described our young participants as "the crucial key component that made the event so interesting" after they documented an archaeological event at Bideford Library.
Expanding Into Video & Multi-Media
As confidence develops through audio work, we introduce video documentation, visual storytelling, and multi-platform content creation. This progression happens at each participant's pace - no forced timelines.
Young people build portfolios that demonstrate real capability in media production, creative industries, and digital storytelling. These aren't practice projects - participants create content that organisations actually use.
Heritage Documentation Projects
Through our Young Voices in Heritage™ initiative, young people progress from creative skills workshops to working alongside heritage organisations, museums, and community groups on real documentation projects.
This means learning happens through authentic work - recording oral histories, creating exhibition content, documenting archaeological events - with professional support throughout.
[Register Interest for Young People's Workshops
Adult Creative Workshops
Supporting Creatives Who Need Accessible Learning
We're developing audio art and podcasting workshops specifically for adults who benefit from supportive, accessible learning environments. Whether you're exploring creative expression for wellbeing, building skills for potential work opportunities, or simply want to learn in a psychologically safe space, our audio-first approach works.
Sessions follow the same foundation as our youth workshops - starting with audio to build confidence, expanding into other media forms as comfort grows. We work at your pace, respecting that everyone's creative journey looks different.
If you're interested in joining or know someone who would benefit, we'd love to hear from you.
[Express Interest in Adult Workshops]
Intellectual Property Workshops
Protecting Your Creative Work
We run workshops explaining intellectual property rights for creatives, freelancers, and small creative businesses. Because your ideas and creative output are assets worth protecting.
What We Cover: Understanding copyright and creative commons, protecting your creative work and ideas, intellectual property basics for freelancers, why IP matters for economic empowerment.
These sessions happen at our community gatherings (see below) and can be arranged for groups or organisations who want to support their creative communities.
Young people at our June 2024 gathering described the IP presentation as "informative and a great thing" - which tells you everything about how we approach potentially dry topics.
Young Voices in Heritage™
Our Flagship Initiative
Young Voices in Heritage™ isn't just workshops - it's systematic transformation validated through professional partnerships and academic recognition.
The young people who complete this journey don't just learn skills. They discover capacities they didn't know they had. Fears dissolve. Isolation breaks down. They chose to call themselves "The ACE Team" - which tells you everything about how they feel about their achievements.
Young Voices in Heritage™ is our original initiative methodology developed by Ace Holds The Space Group. We are the originators of this innovative approach combining audio art skills with heritage documentation.
Our Three-Stage Methodology:
- Stage 1: Audio art and recording skills development
- Stage 2: Podcasting and digital storytelling techniques
- Stage 3: Real-world field experience with heritage organisations
Young Voices in Heritage™- Our Original Initiative Methodology
Developed by Ace Holds The Space
Audioart and Heritage Documentation Sessions at Bideford Library
Ages: 10-16 years
Initiative: Professional Skills DevelopmentProgramme: Ongoing workshop blocks with field experience
Block Structure:
Block 1: Introduction to Audioart and Podcasting
Block 2: Advanced Podcasting and Jingle-Making
Block 3: Visual Media and Publishing incl Canva and Capcut
Field Experience: Practical application through the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) heritage event
Our Young Voices in Heritage™ field experience represented the culmination of our proprietary methodology. Our three-stage approach has attracted attention from heritage organisations and public services based on outcomes from preliminary sessions.
View their professional heritage work featured on MOLA's blog: ACE Team Heritage Interviews
Our workshops have demonstrated significant positive outcomes in community engagement, reducing isolation, fostering collaboration, enhancing cultural enrichment, and improving participant wellbeing. Starting with 9 participants, our core group of 4 dedicated attendees has shown remarkable progress and growth throughout the initiative.
Their work now features on MOLA's professional blog, demonstrating the real-world value of skills developed.
Contact us to book a place for our next Sessions:
Audioart and podcasting workshops at Bideford Library are engaging a group of children who eagerly attend each week to explore sound. They are dedicated to their projects and creating impressive sound collages.
Our Audioart and Podcasting workshops teach essential media skills to youth and adults. Our participants develop technical abilities while also experiencing significant benefits in wellbeing, social development, and cultural enrichment.
Audioart and Podcasting Session Details
Proven Outcomes:
✓ 100% participant confidence improvement
✓ Increased social connections (particularly benefiting home-schooled participants)
✓ Growing enquiries from heritage organisations and public services
✓ Clear progression from participant → volunteer → employment opportunities
✓ Meaningful contribution to local heritage preservation
Skills Gained
Professional audio recording
Digital storytelling
Interview techniques
Editing and production
Teamwork and collaboration
Creative confidence
Public speaking
Each block takes place over 4 weeks:
Block Structure:
Block 1: Introduction to Audioart and Podcasting
Block 2: Advanced Podcasting and Jingle-Making
Block 3: Visual Media and Publishing
Field Experience: Practical application - includes attendance at an event
See professional recognition in our latest news → ACE Team Heritage Showcase: When Young Voices Meet Professional Recognition
Workshop Success & Future Opportunities
Our Audioart and Podcasting workshops have been thriving since November 2024, with our recent 10-16 year old participants taking their skills into the field through exciting real-world experiences!
Interested in future workshop opportunities for yourself or your child? Contact us today to join our waiting list for upcoming sessions.
Or email us directly: workshops@aceholdsthespace.com
Community Gatherings
Spaces for Creatives to Connect
Through Alignment Creation Enterprises (our social enterprise arm), we host free gatherings bringing together creatives, freelancers, small businesses, charities, and community groups across North Devon.
What Happens at Gatherings:
Networking opportunities for local creatives and organisations, short presentations on relevant topics (like intellectual property, creative empowerment, collaborative opportunities), space to share your work, ideas, and projects, refreshments and welcome in accessible venues, genuine community-led atmosphere - everyone's welcome.
Recent Gatherings:
Launch Gathering - June 2024, Pannier Pantry, Bideford: Explored creativity and passion projects, formed steering group, high engagement - Initial community connections, membership sign-ups
Summer Gathering - July 2024, Burton Art Gallery, Bideford: Public sector networking, presentation on economic hardship and challenges for creatives. Ways to empower and support.
Spring Gathering - March 2025, Barnstaple Library: IP workshop, networking, local business support offers
Next Gathering: Spring 2026 - date and venue to be confirmed. Deliberately scheduled for end of week so professionals can unwind alongside community members. Completely free, refreshments provided, wheelchair accessible.
[Join Newsletter for Gathering Updates]
Expanding Programmes
Community Creative Sessions
Currently in development based on youth programme success
Building on our youth methodology, we're developing programmes for different groups:
Adults Seeking Creative Expression: Same audio-first approach, adapted pace
Intergenerational Heritage Projects: Bridging generations through shared stories
Community Groups: Documenting their own histories authentically
Specific Communities: Tailored approaches for different needs
Each programme adapted to participant needs whilst maintaining our core approach - psychological safety, participant-led progress, genuine respect.
Tailored Workshop Delivery
We can develop workshops for specific communities:
Heritage Organisations: Youth engagement that actually works
Libraries: Creative programmes building on our Libraries Unlimited success
Community Centres: Innovative activities for hard-to-reach young people
Schools:Alternative learning approaches for those who struggle traditionally
Our Methodology
Why It Works
Audio-First Confidence Building
Starting with audio removes performance pressure. Participants focus on content, not appearance. If, or by the time cameras appear, confidence is established. The transformation was remarkable. Now it's deliberate methodology.
Non-Linear Progress
We don't force predetermined outcomes. Some participants become interviewers, others prefer editing, some discover technical skills, others find creative expression. Progress happens at individual pace in individual ways. We trust that young people and adults know their own paths - our role is to provide tools and support.
Psychological Safety
15+ years of community organisational research emerged into hands-on community work facilitating experimental wellbeing podcasts in 2022. This research phase taught us the precise conditions required. It's about more than kind words - it's systematic creation of environments where authentic expression becomes possible.
Peer Learning
Young people learn from each other as much as from facilitators. We create structures for peer support, ensuring nobody gets left behind. The ACE Team now mentor new participants, remembering their own journey and providing authentic encouragement.
The Team Behind It
Youth Engagement Specialist Level 3 Youth Work qualification with 9+ years supporting SEND populations. Extensive experience with neurodivergent young people. Film-making and visual production expertise. Understands the nuances of youth development deeply.
Programme Lead 15+ years public sector and organisational culture development expertise with 5+ years media production experience starting in community radio. Developed the methodology through systematic research and practice. Believes fundamentally in creative expression as pathway to wellbeing.
Professional Filmmaker Documentary and visual content expertise. Brings broadcast-quality standards whilst maintaining community-centred approach.
Peer Support Facilitators Young people who have worked in voluntary youth engagement initiatives and/or who've completed programmes, now supporting others. They remember what it felt like starting out and provide authentic encouragement.
Commissioning Workshops
For Organisations
We work with organisations to deliver workshops that meet specific objectives whilst maintaining our participant-centred approach.
What we provide:
Qualified, DBS-checked facilitators with proven expertise
Professional equipment - not toy versions
Comprehensive risk assessments and safeguarding protocols
Evaluation frameworks measuring real impact
Ongoing support beyond initial delivery
Connection to wider opportunities
Investment levels:
Workshops are priced according to:
Duration and frequency of sessions
Participant numbers and support needs
Equipment requirements and technical complexity
Travel and venue costs
Evaluation and reporting needs
Legacy planning requirements
We're experienced working within grant parameters and can support funding applications. Our track record helps secure funding.
For Participants
Our workshops are either:
Free through funded programmes (majority)
Low-cost through subsidised delivery
Never a barrier to participation
Transport support available for outings. Equipment provided. Refreshments included. Multiple participation options for different comfort levels.
Current opportunities include:
Special projects with heritage organisations
One-off taster sessions
School holiday programmes
The Bigger Picture
Creating Pathways
These aren't just workshops - they're pathway creation. From participant to volunteer to employment. From isolation to connection. From silence to confident expression.
We've proven these pathways work. Our evidence shows progression is real, sustainable, and transformative.
Heritage Preservation
Young people become skilled heritage documentarians. They preserve stories that might otherwise be lost, bringing fresh perspectives to traditional narratives.
But they're not "heritage champions" for the sector - they champion themselves. The heritage preservation is valuable outcome, but youth development is the heart.
Community Building
When young people gain confidence, families strengthen. When stories are shared, communities connect. When heritage is preserved, identity develops.
The ripple effect extends far beyond individual participants.
Transform your staff and volunteers' capabilities through engaging creative production workshops that deliver both professional skills and wellbeing benefits.
FOR ORGANISATIONS AND TEAMS
FOR ORGANISATIONS & GROUPS
Looking for staff, volunteer, or youth development with added value? Our workshops blend creative skills with wellbeing and economic empowerment—benefiting both your organisation and participants.
Triple Impact:
Develop creativity and self-expression
Foster community connections across generations
Create professional media content for your marketing needs
Transform the ongoing challenge of content creation into an opportunity that empowers your people while meeting organisational goals.
OUR APPROACH
We offer 'Have a Go' introductory sessions where participants explore recording equipment and editing skills. Each person receives a journal for storyboarding ideas and can create projects individually or in groups.
Our supportive, non-judgmental environment respects different learning styles and creative approaches. Inspiration comes from diverse sources, with refreshments and socialisation opportunities included.
Adults & Young People (17+)
Ready to explore creative media skills? Express your interest today!
Email: workshops@aceholdsthespace.com
