About the partners
The Last Mile project works with partners throughout the English regions, as follows:
Partner |
Sub Partners |
| Tribal CTAD (formerly Cambridge Training and Development Limited) | |
| Cumbria Vision | |
| Institute of Education (IOE) | |
| Media Training North West (MTNW) | |
| Slough Borough Council | |
| WAC Performing Arts and Media College | |
| Inspiral | |
| Clever Cherry | |
| Cumbria Institute of the Arts | |
| Flex FX Productions | |
| Ethnic Minority Foundation | |
| Birmingham City Council: Sub partners | Birmingham Repertory Theatre |
| Central Library | |
| Creative Management Group | |
| Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre | |
| Moseley Sounds | |
| RBSA Gallery | |
| Vivid | |
| University Hospital Birmingham | |
| MADE | |
| Optima Community Association | |
| Definitely Red | |
| Book Communications | |
| ERA/ UK Film Council: Sub partners | East Midlands Media |
| Film London | |
| South West Screen | |
| Artworks-MK | |
| B3 Media | |
Sheffield Cultural Industries Quarter |
Harmony |
| Agency (CIQA): Sub partners | Higher Rhythm |
| Non Stop Foundation | |
| Shift | |
| The Drum | |
| EMF |
Birmingham City Council
Summary of projects/activitiesUniversity Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust: New Hospitals Arts Project - Opening up procurement opportunities with local artists in the development of the new superhospital. Birmingham REP Theatre: Technical Apprenticeships Programme - An innovative two-year programme of on-the-job training and accredited qualifications for 6 apprentices in the theatre’s technical and production departments. Birmingham REP Theatre: Young REP Mentoring Programme - Working with ‘at risk’ young people from the Northfield area of the city on the mentor training programme. Birmingham Libraries: Creative Pathways Programme - Using expertise and knowledge in creative sphere to encourage Creatives to participate in new forms of learning and self-development, with the aim of making money from their creative talent. Optima Community Association: Mentorship Programme - Creating creative apprenticeships for artists to work with the Housing Community Association. MADE: MADE in Eastside - Creating creative apprenticeships for individual artists to work with businesses in regeneration and the built environment. Definitely Red: Creative Channel Showcase - Working with Creatives to distribute and showcase creative content from musicians, sculptors, painters, animators, photographers and filmmakers. Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre: EQUAL Project - Creating strategic partnerships between jewellery designers and jewellery manufacturers. VIVID: Interdisciplinary Support Programme - Supporting collaborative interdisciplinary research between creative industries in Birmingham and other sectors in the region. Creative Management Group - Developing Birmingham-based solo artists, bands, songwriters and producers to help them achieve self-sufficiency within the music industry. RBSA Gallery: Professional Development Programme - Working with artists to develop their professional practice; Extending arts education in Birmingham. Birmingham REP Theatre: Pen 2 Paper EQUAL Writers Attachment Programme - A year-long programme of professional development and on-the-job training for new playwrights. Book Communications: New Writer Development Programme - Groundbreaking programme to enable writers to access opportunities to have their work printed, broadcast and published. MSR Music Ltd: Birmingham Community Gospel Choir - Establishing and developing Birmingham’s first Gospel Choir to enable it to trade as a self-sufficient business entity. Birmingham City Council Arts Team: Skills & Commission Ready - Opening up commission opportunities to Birmingham-based Creatives through mentoring-based programme. Clever Cherry: Birminghamusic.com and BIGmarketplace Platforms - Development of on-line showcase and distribution platforms for Birmingham-based artists, allowing them to reach new markets and generate bookings and commissions. ContactNicola Saunders (Creative Development Co-ordinator) Birmingham City Council |
The Creative Academy, SloughThe Creative Academy:
Summary of projects/activities
Mess up the Mess - is a new enterprise which showcased its first work at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Urban Action Festival - Slough’s first Urban Arts and Sports Festival incorporate a newly created dance form using classical and urban dance looking to be led by Rambert, a graffiti and architect project and Banana Jam 3. Creative Apprenticeships – have developed accredited schemes though work at Slough Young People’s Centre, the West Wing arts space and Haymill youth centre. Foundation Degree in Dance – we have developed a foundation degree with Thames Valley University and Foundation Degree Forward offering high quality professional dance training. Banana Jam 3 – is a 2 day international break-dance jam held in Slough. East @ West - a unique and innovative programme promoting Eat Asian arts at the West Wing. Creative Academy Internships – Slough Borough Council departments have benefited from an influx of creative talent as Creative Academy Internships have been launched. Mobile Mash Up - Is a new initiative involving new technologies and mobile phones, developing creative entrepreneurs’ design and business skills. Music4Slough - is one of 24 Youth Music Action Zones in England and Wales, providing music-making activities to young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity. ContactGeorge Kirkham (Creative Academy Manager) Creative Academy |
EMF
Summary of projects/activitiesThe Project was set up to empower disadvantaged Muslim women by providing them with opportunities for developing their skills and potential. It provides free training in Information Technology (IT) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). In addition, the women are provided with the opportunity to train in a variety subjects in the Creative and Cultural Industries. The Project has currently seven centres throughout the UK. ContactDr Krishna Sarda (Hons) FRSA (Chief Executive) The Ethnic Minority Foundation |
FlexFX Productions
 FlexFX embraces many different artistic styles, and have a multicultural approach both in terms of the background of the performers and their creative influences. Their creative inspirations range from Bollywood, urban and street (L.A./N.Y.), the London club scene and the Middle East .
Summary of projects/activitiesFlexFX Productions is an Asian Media Company whose work within the Last Mile development partnership involves the creation of new style fusion arts. Their work will specifically impact on the barriers in engaging with internal and external audiences within the Creative and Cultural Industries. ContactNaz Choudhury (Artistic Director) Flex FX Productions Ltd |
identities
Summary of projects/activitiesThe identities project is a national programme, developed in the regions, which gives voice to diverse UK communities, across the generations, to create dynamic screen-based media material generated with and by them for dissemination. Connecting their past, present and future through a series of spaces reflecting the diversity of social and cultural experiences and perspectives. Initially piloted in five English regions, the East Midlands, Cumbria, the South West, South East and London, but with national and international reach, the programme is led by the UK Film Council and managed by Era Ltd.ContactArora Parry (Project Manager) Era Ltd |
Inspiral
Through our programmes of business support, we have helped clients to access finance and training, to use technology better, to participate in networks and master classes and to get strategic advice from our bank of over 150 specialist consultants. If you are interested in finding out more about how Inspiral might be able to help you or your company then please contact us.Summary of projects/activitiesThe Last Mile Programme has helped to build 30 sustainable creative businesses. Each client participated in individual action planning to assess their support needs in order to start their business or improve its performance. They received strategic advice to focus in on the right markets for their products/ services, together with the necessary tools and confidence to do this in a professional way. ContactGrant Keir (Head of Sales & Marketing) Inspiral |
Institute of Education
ContactDavid Guile The Institute of Education (IOE) |
Media Training North West
We're here to ensure that the industry in the north west has a highly skilled workforce to lead it into a 21st century multi-media landscape. We do this by offering a whole range of training solutions for media companies, employees and freelances in the north-west of England. The key-word is FLEXIBILITY. We aim to take the hassle out of the training process by becoming a one-stop shop which provides the industry with solutions - not problems. Summary of projects/activitiesThrough the Last Mile initiative Media Training North West has worked in partnership with the media industry and regional partners in order:
ContactJanette O’Carroll (Training and Development Manager) MTNW |
Tribal CTAD
As technology has advanced, so too has our ability to meet those objectives. Tribal CTAD is now the UK’s foremost provider of ICT-based educational materials and resources for the post-16 market. ContactChris Webb (European Project Director) Tribal Group |
Birmingham City Council’s Creative Development Team co-ordinates the EQUAL II: The Last Mile partnership activities in Birmingham.
Creative Industries Development Service - The service offers SME’s, freelancers and creative individuals guidance, advice and professional development towards developing careers in the creative industries. 
The Ethnic Minority Foundation (EMF) is a national registered charity created to provide a secure base for Britain's minority ethnic communities. Since its inception in 1999, EMF has worked tirelessly to identify and meet the needs of the country's most diverse, deprived and disadvantaged individuals and groups. We have done so through a combination of innovative and entrepreneurial activities and programmes including:
FlexFX are a unique company with inner city roots in East London complemented by global influences and vision. They enhance the Last Mile Development Partnership by their uniqueness as one of the few dance, theatre and music companies that combine young urban inspiration with contemporary music and choreography. FlexFX offer community arts with professional performers. The company has developed progressively, starting by facilitating local festivals, and club nights, culminating in the launch of Flex-FX Productions.
The UK Film Council was established by the government as the lead agency responsible for developing the film sector and film culture in the UK. It invests Government grant-in-aid and National Lottery money to deliver lasting benefits to the sector and public alike to stimulate a competitive, successful and vibrant British film industry, and to promote enjoyment and understanding of cinema throughout the UK.
We operate in sectors where content or Intellectual Property is created and commercially exploited: Film / TV / Radio / Music / Multimedia / Publishing / Advertising and PR / Design / Art and Crafts / Fashion / Architecture / Performance / Computer Games.
Founded in 1902, the Institute of Education is a centre of excellence for research, teacher training, higher degrees and consultancy in education and education-related areas of social science. Its staff of scholars and students from all walks of life make up an intellectually rich and diverse learning community.
Media Training North West is part of one of the fastest growing industries in Europe - the media industry. 
Education has the power to change lives. All it needs is the opportunity. That’s why, for over 25 years, Tribal CTAD has been working to extend education’s reach. Most of what we do is designed to help those who have been excluded from the joys and rewards of learning, for whatever reason.
