Common People – the community for working class talent in the creative industries – and education charity Working Options have joined together with a pledge to deliver 100 inspirational talks in state schools in socio-economic cold spots across England and Wales over the next academic year.
Creative professionals from working class backgrounds from across South Yorkshire, Manchester, London, Bristol, Essex and East Sussex have already signed up to deliver the first of the 100 talks, covering disciplines from PR, advertising and design to music and media. They will visit state schools to share their stories and outline practical pathways into the industry. The talks are designed not just to inspire, but to break down barriers of awareness, helping students understand what roles exist, what they pay, and how to take the first steps.
The Common People Schools Tour 25/26, which was launched on Social Mobility Day (12 June), aims to tackle lack of visibility and access to the creative industries from underrepresented communities. According to Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, just 16% of people in full-time creative jobs come from working class backgrounds, a figure lower than in law, finance or academia.
The initiative is spearheaded by Laura Burch, founder of award-winning creative comms agency Work & Class, and Tom Armstrong, co-founder of Common People. Burch said: ‘The creative sector talks a good game when it comes to diversity, but for young people from working class backgrounds, it still feels locked behind invisible walls. I for one had no idea that these jobs existed and found my way into the industry totally by chance. This initiative is about opening the door by showing kids the real, living proof that people like them have made it in – and they can too.’
Tom Armstrong added: ‘The lack of access is often about not knowing where to begin. Or not being able to ask your dad’s mate who is a film director, or an ad exec to get you some work experience. We’re flipping that by putting working class creatives directly in front of the next generation. We’re not just talking at them, but connecting to them and offering them access to the networks we never had.’
Sue Maskrey, CEO of Working Options in Education said: ‘This isn’t just about inspiration – it’s about common sense and unlocking talent, driving social mobility, and fuelling an industry that thrives on fresh voices.’
The initiative will also include a flagship event where 100 state school students and industry professional will come together to network, engage with a panel discussion, and begin building direct connections to the industry.
Creative organisations who would be interested to get involved are invited to contact Laura Burch at laura.burch@workandclass.agency.
