Curious Works

Developing skills and confidence for a creative career

Curious Works offers creative sector-focused, practical, skills development and work experience opportunities for young people in Wigan and Leigh. It was delivered for the first time as a 4-month pilot in autumn/winter 2024. The project will run again from Summer 2025.

Delivered by Curious Minds, with funding from Greater Manchester Combined Authority and WEA, this programme is aimed at young people aged between 16 and 25 who are interested in exploring a career in the creative or cultural sectors. In particular, those who face barriers to access, who are, or are at risk of being NEET (not in employment, education or training), are prioritised for support.

Why it's needed

In 2023, Curious Minds delivered a Youth Voice Pilot for Discover! . This revealed that there are many young people (specifically in Wigan) who don’t think a creative career is available to them in their local area. It was apparent that opportunities and progression routes are either not available or not visible to young people, their parents and youth workers. Confidence was found to be one of the biggest barriers preventing young people from aspiring and achieving.

My experience with Curious Works has given me some great opportunities to make connections that will definitely help in my job search.

Curious Works Participant, 2024

How it works

Curious Minds engages with multiple referral partners - in the form of targeted and outreach youth services in the local area - to signpost the Curious Works offer to those who would benefit most.

The programme involves a series of skills masterclasses, employer talks and one-to-one information advice and guidance sessions for eligible young people, through which they are encouraged to explore the variety of careers available in the sector. Applications are then invited to apply for short-term, paid work experience placements with local creative organisations, brokered and supported by Curious Minds. Each iteration of the programme culminates in the delivery of a youth-led careers event, thereby engaging more young people from the local area.

For all participants, ongoing support and mentoring is offered - guiding the young people to develop positive, solution-focused approaches to challenges and helping them formulate personal plans for the future.

How it makes a difference

The Curious Works pilot engaged 38 young people and facilitated 728 hours of paid work experience.

Our participant surveys demonstrated that the vast majority of young respondents felt they had developed essential employability skills through Curious Works, including:

85% said their confidence had increased
71% saw an improvement in their ability to problem solve
100% agreed the experience had developed their emotional intelligence

Curious Works has made a real difference in overcoming some of the challenges I’ve faced, especially in terms of building my confidence.

Curious Works Participant, 2024

How you can get involved

Curious Minds is delighted to have confirmed funding with GMCA and WEA to run Curious Works for a second time in 2025-26.

Are you a Wigan-based creative organisation, interested in hosting a young person on a fixed-term placement?

No organisation is too bit or too small to host an ASJ. If you do, you’ll be investing in the success and growth of our sector as well as the career prospects of a young person. These young people can add value to your organization by bringing in new skills and ideas, as well as being part of the future creative workforce.

We’d love to hear from you! Please email Holly Ball.

Are you a youth worker, educator or other supporter of young people in Wigan, willing to help us spread the word about Curious Works?

The more young people we can reach in Wigan and it’s surrounding areas, the more impactful the programme can be – particularly if we’re able to target the programme more effectively at those who face barriers to accessing careers support .

We’d love to discuss with you. Please email Holly Ball.

Are you a young person (or a parent/carer), interested in taking part?

Fantastic! The workshops and events that form part of the Curious Works programme are free and open to young people living in or around Wigan.

Register your interest now by emailing Holly Ball. We’ll contact you when we’ve got details to share about workshops and opportunities you can access.

Are you a place-maker or funder who is interested in the Curious Works model for your neighbourhood?

The wonderful thing about Curious Works is that it’s a replicable model that can be developed and adapted to suit any locality. We’re confident that the barriers we’ve seen young people face in Wigan aren’t isolated!

We’d be delighted to share our insights and discuss opportunities with you. Get in touch by emailing Holly Ball.