Freelance Exchange

A development and support programme to empower local creative freelancers

Freelance Exchange is designed to nurture and equip local emergent freelancers with the resources and knowledge needed to successfully launch their freelance careers and remain adaptable.

Its modular self-selecting programme means freelancers can register to attend the sessions or activities of their choice from a robust curriculum co-created with our growing community of freelancers and industry partners.

Check out our programme highlights and features for 2023/24:

#1 Design Hacks

Format: Creative interactive focus group
Regularity: Every 3-months
Duration: 3 days
Location: In person at the Good Growth Hub
Number of places: 9
Fee: London Living Wage paid.
Who runs them: Leading agencies and community organisations.
Focus areas:
- Social impact.
- Solutions to industry issues.
- Community.
Outcomes: Expand skills, networks, and portfolios to support you in having a sustained commercial career as a freelancer.
Ideal for: Early-to-mid-career creative freelancers.

#2 Masterclasses

Format: Interactive group sessions, instructive presentations, and networking.
Regularity: 2x per month, last Thursday of the month, from 2pm.
Duration: 3-5 hours
Location: In person at the Good Growth Hub
Number of places: 30-50.
Fee: Free.
Who runs them: Leading brands and agencies, and a group of dedicated facilitators.
Focus areas:
- Finance i.e. funding and HMRC
- Marketing i.e. portfolio reviews and branding
- Business i.e pitching and submissions
- Legal i.e IPs and contracts

Ideal for: Emerging and early-career creative freelancers.

Who can apply
- Aged 18-30.
- Living and educated in London.
- Priority is given to those living in the London boroughs of Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham or Waltham Forest – with emphasis on those who also went to school or college in one of these four boroughs.
Who's involved?

The Freelance Exchange programme is delivered in partnership with Local Champions
The programme is informed by research and feedback from young creative freelancers and borough partners in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Waltham Forest and industry employers, from EA Sports to Untold Studios.

Delivery partners include Magnum Photos, legal firm Orrick, Babes on Waves, TAG Agency, Financial Times Literacy Campaign, It's Nice That, Anyways Creative, and more.

Mentors for freelancers have included professionals from NTS Radio, BBC, Sadler's Wells, V&A and many more
Who supports the programme?

Freelance Exchange first launched in 2022 and is delivered by the Good Growth Hub – operated by the Employment & Skills team of London-based creative youth charity A New Direction.

Good Growth Hub and its activities are funded by the London Legacy Development Cooperation (LLDC) with investment from the Foundation for Future London, through the East Bank Partnerships’ New Talent Future Leaders programme.