Unity Works has been working with production company Garden Studios to develop opportunities for people we support interested in a career in TV and Film Production.
Our partnership grew further when we first met with Leone Buncombe, Garden Studios Talent Manager, when she visited one of our Supported Internship Reverse Jobs Fair in Lambeth. Leone was really impressed with the calibre of the interns, especially with the creative talents and potential shown throughout the event and wanted to work closely with us.
Since then, Garden Studios have attended a number of our events and invited people we support on tours of their studios in Park Royal. This was a fantastic opportunity for people to see the day to day activities of how a production company works, plus the huge variety of roles on offer in a wide ranging industry.
Following on from the success of these events, Leone was keen to create her own work experience for the people we support that are looking are interested in a career in the creative industry. We worked with Garden Studios to devise a Technical Assistant Opportunity to commence in early 2025. After a recruitment process that included hosting a Disability Awareness Training session and a creative assessment day, Leone successfully offered not one but two separate Work Experience placements due to the outstanding performances given at interview including to Mofe (as seen in the image to the right) who we hear from later on in the blog.
What made the assessment day a success, was the informal approach taken making the candidates comfortable and being themselves. In an industry that is incredibly difficult to break into, Leone wanted to offer an opportunity to portray the versatility of skills that a neurodivergent person and the contribution they can make. With a breakaway for a traditional recruitment process, made it more rewarding and potentially a new way forward for the industry.
Of working with Garden Studios, Mike Donaghy, Job Broker at Unity Works said:
Working with Garden Studios for the last few years has been fantastic, it is really refreshing to work with an organisation that are willing to push the boundaries and sharing the same values. I want to pay a special to Leone, who without her creativity, generosity and passion this relationship wouldn’t have been possible.
Of the project, Leone says:
At Garden Studios we’re committed to supporting real world diversity and appreciate our partnership with Unity Works. This pilot project which included a full recruitment process allowed us to meet face to face with candidates from Unity Works and we have been delighted to welcome Mofe to the team as a successful applicant.
Mofe has said of his experience:
I would say Garden Studios, is a creative space for creative people and they have got something for every creative person. What I enjoy the most about Garden Studios are the friendly faces, the cool people. I enjoy the techie and the podcast stuff. This opportunity will give me the opportunity to build on skills I already have and know more about going into media and video editing.