Although YACreates was established in 2015 it was formally incorporated five years ago, on 4 June 2021, and through this post I will be sharing highlights from that time.
2021
In August 2021 YACreates was selected as one of 100 creative businesses to win an Innovate UK grant as part of a creative industries pilot award. Working with a BCU academic, a local 3D /animation company and a school teacher/children’s book writer an app prototype was developed. The purpose of the app was to encourage better geographical and cultural learning for primary school children.
A STEAMhouse grant was also won to support the development of the app project. Following this project YACreates was invited to attend tech, edtech and creative/cultural events to talk about the funded project, app idea, working collaboratively and using mixed reality, gaming and ai technology for better learning outcomes.
2022
In March a young man in their early 20s was employed via the Kickstart scheme. The Kickstart scheme was a UK government employment programme. Launched in 2020 by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it provided funding to employers to create new, subsidised job placements for young people aged 16 to 24 who were claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. The young man was taken on for six months and then transferred over to a part time role for a further 18 months. He was trained to make products using a COs laser machine and during his time at YACreates, we made and sold products in Redbrick market, King’s Heath market, Jewellery Quarter festival, Jewellery Quarter wedding fayre, Christmas in Cathedral Square and many more events. We also worked on developing our 3D printing and UV printing skills with the support of STEAMhouse’s digital production team. As well as technical skills, his communication and networking skills were developed amongst other things.
In the same month, I was appointed committee member and digital manufacturing lead for Fizzpop Makerspace attending regular committee meetings. My role also included maintaining and cleaning laser machines and providing laser machine inductions and support to new and current makerspace members.
2023
From April 2023 YACreates moved into a larger premises with a shop and workshop space on the ground floor and studio space for hire on the first floor. Through this move, more ideas for the business and the wider creative community were implemented. 11 creatives and crafters were given the opportunity to sell and showcase their work through the shop space. In the studio space one small business was able to develop and grow whilst a budding crafter used the space to develop their tufting skills and started exploring ways to share and sell their work.
YACreates took part in Birmingham Open Studios for the first time in September and October of that year.
2024
Having regularly attended Supper Club as guest from Mach, from August YACreates started to deliver creative workshops and activities through Civic Square’s Trade School from August and continued from there via the Neighbourhood Repair Club, Floating Front Room and Supper Club programmes. YACreates is back on Civic Square’s Re_Club programme from June to August 2026. Follow their eventbrite page to get updates on upcoming events.
YACreates took part in Birmingham Open Studios for a second time and was able to offer space to four other artists and creatives to showcase their work at the end of September and beginning of October.
Also in October YACreates co-hosted a Reproductive health and wellbeing event, for Black and Brown women, with Level Up London. Attendees had the opportunity to hear presentations from women who had suffered reproductive health issues similar to their own. They were also able to share their own health issues and experiences, take part in some group coaching (delivered by Level Up London) and craft a love note to themselves to help get them through the hard times (delivered by YACreates).
2025
From March to December, YACreates took part in the JQ Lates programme and won a microgrant through the JQ Common Room initiative to deliver ‘Routes to Market‘ a six weeks development programme for creatives and crafters keen to explore ways to market and sell their work.
A great program for anyone wanting to move from a creative hobby to marketing and selling their craft, with lots of useful tools and discussion prompts to elevate your mindset and shift your focus towards your small business goals.
Testimonial from ‘Routes to Market’ programme participant.
In July YACreates curated a West African themed market for the Black Tides event with Siana Bangura Productions and in October delivered a Cotton Tree zen colouring workshop for SLACFest (Sierra Leone Arts and Culture festival) in London.
Jan to June 2026
In February YACreates provided a sixth form student a three day work experience opportunity where she used the laser machine and chainmaille jewellery making techniques to create a set of jewellery pieces. Since March to the present day, YACreates has been mentoring a university student – both students are interested in getting into the creative industries post formal education.
Moving Forward
Looking back over the five years, a lot has been achieved through YACreates and this post provides only a snapshot of all that has taken place. I am grateful for all the grant and collaborative project opportunities, without which many of the achievements over the past five years would not be possible. I’m also thankful for everyone who has supported me and YACreates, recommending, sharing and commissioning – no matter how big or small – it is all truly appreciated! I’m currently working out how YACreates will move forward in the next 5 years and beyond, so stay tuned via the newsletter and socials to continue on this journey with me. In the meantime check out the events page for this month’s events and to celebrate YACreates five year anniversary you can get 10% off all products on the website until the end of the month – yay lol! Use code ‘YAC5’ in the checkout to receive your discount.
Yejide 🙂