Better Business / Member news
Thangam Debbonaire MP visits boomsatsuma film school
Thangam Debbonaire, the shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport and Labour MP for Bristol West, delved into the intricacies of the independent training and funding landscape for the creative industry during her recent visit to boomsatsuma, a prominent educator in Bristol.
Joined by representatives from Better Society Capital, Bristol & Bath Regional Capital, and Access, Debbonaire engaged in discussions aimed at understanding the challenges and exploring avenues for ethical funding to foster community development, culture, and education.
The visit, which took place on Friday May 10 at Leadworks, one of boomsatsuma’s six training centres across Bristol, provided Debbonaire with first hand insight into how boomsatsuma revolutionises education delivery, particularly in marginalised communities. Boomsatsuma’s approach has garnered attention, evidenced by the rising demand for its courses, which feed into careers within the region’s thriving creative industry sector.
Reflecting on her visit, Debbonaire expressed her admiration for boomsatsuma’s commitment to nurturing talent and emphasised the importance of securing the creative talent pipeline for Bristol’s cultural and economic vitality. She pledged to collaborate with institutions like boomsatsuma to ensure continued support for the city’s creative ecosystem, underlining the potential for joy, jobs, and wealth generation.
Boomsatsuma’s Founder, Mark Curtis, highlighted the challenges faced by organisations like theirs in accessing government support for growth and expansion. Despite positive relationships with education partners, limitations imposed by the current system hinder their ability to scale and reach more young people.
Stephen Muers, CEO of Better Society Capital, commended boomsatsuma’s role in connecting Bristolian talent with creative opportunities and stressed the significance of social investment in fostering local businesses like boomsatsuma.
Ed Rowberry, Chief Executive of BBRC, echoed the sentiment, emphasising the importance of blended finance in supporting organisations like boomsatsuma to fulfil their mission of providing pathways for young people, particularly those from marginalised communities, into the creative and digital workforce.
Main photo: boomsatsuma
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