Rise secures funding from ScreenSkills, adding a new mentoring programme to its 2021/22 UK schemes

Advocacy group Rise has launched its second UK mentoring programme in 2021, the ScreenSkills Rise Mentoring Programme, after securing funding from ScreenSkills.

This programme, supported by ScreenSkills as part of the BFI Future Film Skills programme using funds from the National Lottery, will support Rise’s 2021/22 expansion and growth of its mentoring schemes within the broadcast technology arena. The initiative, which is open to women in the screen industries (film, television, VFX, animation and games), will run from September 2021 until February 2022.

The programme will support another 25 women based in the UK, providing mentees with a range of support, including one-to-one mentoring contact with their pairing, monthly group meetings, facilitated peer-to-peer support and access to networking and workshops.

Applications for all schemes are open now and close on Friday 6 August 2021. Applications are welcome from women over the age of 18 who are working full time, part time or freelance.

Past mentees have come from a variety of job roles including engineering, technical operations, sales, marketing and business development.

The 2021 programme sees a variety of experienced broadcast sector industry representatives, at a diversity of levels of seniority, ready to offer expertise, knowledge and guidance to mentees.

Jane Saunders, ScreenSkills mentoring manager, said: “Rise provides valuable mentoring programmes to women in the broadcast media technology sector, in particular those in engineering and technical roles, and a partnership with Rise is an excellent fit to ScreenSkills’ commitment to investing in developing skills and talent across this sector where there are shortages.

“ScreenSkills is delighted to be working with Rise to offer mentoring and support from incredible industry professionals, providing these women with important insights into aspects of the UK screen industry as they prepare for their career and make a mark on the industry.”

Carrie Wootten, managing director, Rise, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with ScreenSkills and embarking on this new mentoring series, supporting young, talented woman as they take their next steps towards building a career in the UK screen industry.”

Wootten added: “I would like to thank ScreenSkills for its incredible support and generosity which has enabled us to add another six-month mentoring scheme to the 2021/22 programme which is needed now more than ever to support young women during these times.”