TV Champions mentoring programme returns from Creative Mentor Network & Everyone TV
February 3, 2025
Creative Mentor Network and Everyone TV are pleased to announce the launch of their joint mentoring programme, TV Champions, to help support socioeconomic diversity in the workplace and increase access to the UK creative industries.
Following the success of the pilot programme in 2023, TV Champions will continue to support 18-25-year-olds from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a career in the TV and communications industry.
The programme brings together aspiring young professionals and staff from Everyone TV, the organisation responsible for free-to-air TV platforms in the UK including Freely, Freeview and Freesat. Mentees are supported in working on key skills to help them access creative opportunities in the industry, working on CV development, networking, building confidence and understanding the types of roles in the industry.
Jaspel Kaur, Director of People at Everyone TV, said: “After a successful pilot programme we’re delighted to bringing back our support for TV Champions. With such positive feedback from our 2023 mentees and mentors it is clear the programme offers a valuable experience, bridging the gap for those looking to pursue a career in the TV industries. Everyone TV offers a broad set of skills from technology, product, operations and commercial to human resources, finance, legal marketing and communications. We are in the unique position to be able to offer experience across many areas of the TV business and we can’t wait to welcome our next cohort of TV Champions.”
Working with Creative Mentor Network, staff at Everyone TV receive training to help them understand the barriers those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face and give them the tools to mentor confidently and effectively.
A report from The Sutton Trust highlights the inequalities in the wider creative industry, reporting that among creative workers aged 35 and below, there are around 4 times as many people from middle-class compared to working-class origins, and 2024 data from PEC reveals that just 8 per cent of workers in TV are from working-class backgrounds.
Katie Thomson-Greene, CEO of Creative Mentor Network, said: “We’re thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Everyone TV. We know that the film and TV industry, in particular, is going backwards when it comes to socioeconomic diversity and representation (PEC 2024) so it is imperative that businesses within this industry invest in making improvements and supporting organisations like CMN. We’re excited to see what both mentees and mentors achieve over the programme.”
Applications to be a mentee on the programme are now open to 18-25-year-olds from eligible backgrounds in the UK interested in the creative industries, especially in digital media and communications. Applications will close on April 24th.