Arts Emergency, a mentoring organisation and support network dedicated to helping young people aged 16-18 from under-resourced backgrounds access opportunities in the arts, has announced a call for volunteers in Merseyside’s vibrant creative and cultural communities to mentor and inspire the next generation of artists, thinkers, and creatives.
Neil Griffiths, Arts Emergency Co-Founder & CEO says:
Merseyside has an incredible wealth of creative talent and cultural heritage. By pairing young people in the area with mentors from this dynamic community, we can ensure that the next generation of artists and thinkers reflects the diversity and vibrancy of the region.
Young people from some backgrounds are underrepresented in the art world
Young people from privileged backgrounds are four times more likely to make it into the creative industries than their peers and only 16% of people in the arts and humanities come from a working-class background. Arts Emergency’s mentoring programme is designed to tackle these inequalities at a grassroots level by pairing passionate young people with mentors who are established professionals in various creative fields. By providing guidance, encouragement, and industry insights, mentors play a crucial role in helping these young people navigate their next steps and realise their full potential.
Julie Hesmondhalgh, actress in Coronation Street, Happy Valley, Broadchurch and former mentor:
Our future cultural landscape is in danger of being populated exclusively by the children of the wealthy and well-connected. I love Arts Emergency because it works to bridge this gap. To create the opportunities that have been taken away for the non-wealthy.
Giving one hour a month of your time makes a big difference
Arts Emergency has connected over 2,200 young people with creative professionals including; artists, writers, designers, musicians, actors, curators, and more (full list of sectors here) who commit to just one hour a month to help nurture the next generation of talent and make a real difference to representation in the creative sector.
Steph, aspiring animator and 2025 Arts Emergency Mentee
[my mentor] gave me real-life work experience by inviting me to work on a commercial project. It felt like a real collaborative working relationship and I got to work with a client, getting feedback from them and adapting ideas to their needs. This gave me a sense of what working on real projects is like and gave me skills that come from having experience rather than being taught.
Volunteering and mentoring young people opens doors for them
Volunteering with Arts Emergency is a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people in Merseyside. Mentors provide more than just career advice; they offer a lifeline of support and a network of contacts who can open doors to exciting opportunities. Additionally, mentors benefit from the rewarding experience of fostering the next generation of creative talent and contributing to a more inclusive and diverse cultural landscape. Supporters of the organisation include actors Julie Hesmondhalgh, Lolly Adefope and Mathew Baynton, comedians Joe Lycett and Nish Kumar, author and journalist Reni Eddo-Lodge and writers Sarah Perry and David Nicholls.
Dhruv, architect and Arts Emergency mentor
Mentoring is about creating a culture of openness that benefits the entire industry, not about gatekeeping and working in our own silos!
Join the Arts Emergency community and help change the future of the creative and cultural worlds. Applications are now open until Monday 29 September. Sign-up here.
The application process includes a brief form. Training and ongoing support are provided to ensure a successful mentoring relationship.
Arts Emergency
Arts Emergency is a grassroots movement that opens doors for underrepresented young people with creative ambitions, by connecting them to each other and to creative professionals.
Founded in 2013 by comedian Josie Long and activist Neil Griffiths, the organisation has helped over 2,200 young people in the UK access and thrive in creativity and culture by providing a long-term combined programme of mentorship, networking and real-world opportunities.
How Arts Emergency helped young people already:
Davonte’s story Laaibah’s story Claire and Steph’s story
