A Challenge Fund catch up with local writer Beth Wardell and marketing strategist Jess Thomas-Harrison.
This blog post shares the launch of a brand new and exciting addition to the culture Northumberland sphere. To support creatives and businesses across Northumberland. It is a follow up report by Northumberland based writer Beth Wardell and marketing strategist Jess Thomas-Harrison, both whom applied for the Creative UK (via North of the Tyne Combined Authority)'s Challenge Fund grant, awarded in 2022.
Summary.
Jess and I received our Challenge Fund grant back in September 2022. Since then, we have been working hard behind the scenes to bring the Creative Book Northumberland website to life.
The launch of Creative Book Northumberland helps creatives find work and helps businesses find the right person for the job. This new website connects creative freelancers, marketeers and businesses and will enable more collaboration across Northumberland.
Previously, freelance creatives have struggled to market themselves, a pain point that was raised following a co-working day held across Northumberland in June 2022.
Here in Northumberland we are lucky to have a talented pool of creatives, intertwining their skills throughout different sectors. This website aims to give a platform to all creatives living and working in Northumberland, from dancers to photographers, illustrators to copywriters, musicians to marketeers.
Creative Book Northumberland offers a space for creatives to list their business for free, thanks to funding from the Challenge Fund from the North of Tyne Culture and Investment programme.
A simple online form is completed and once approved, you are then added to the online directory, creating a bank of freelance creatives available for businesses and marketeers to search through.
The Process.
One of the great things about working with this Challenge Fund grant, is that we have been able to work at our own pace, setting our own deadlines. Jess and I both work full time hours so fitting in the creation of this website has been important to us. We are both very passionate about supporting local businesses across Northumberland, helping them spread the word about who they are and what they offer.
It has been encouraging to also have the support from Claire Venus at Culture Northumberland. A thank you to Claire for supporting the application for the grant and for the ongoing support since.
We also worked with local illustrator Daniel Weatheritt, who designed the logo for the website as well the other beautiful illustrations you will see on the site.
Both Jess and I can't wait to have you on the Creative Book Northumberland website!
For more information you can email info@creativebooknorthumberland.com
Follow Beth on social media as Girl About Northumberland.
Follow Jess on social media as Northumberland Delights.