Freelance Exchange is delivered by the Good Growth Hub and designed to support local creative freelancers in launching and sustaining their careers. The programme is co-created with input from the freelance community and industry partners, ensuring that it addresses real-world challenges, with a focus on supporting creative freelancers from Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Waltham Forest.
The programme offers valuable resources and knowledge on everything from support with funding propositions, design solutions to financial and legal essentials, helping freelancers build skills, expand their networks, and enhance their portfolios.
Good Growth Hub participants have access to our WhatsApp channel where we share exclusive paid opportunities and relevant news on grants and short-term contracts and exclusive commissions.
"The Good Growth Hub is a fantastic resource hub for anyone looking to develop their skills and connect with a supportive community of like-minded individuals. With growth & collaboration & training opportunities given, you will find your path and make achievement for sure!"
— Sahara, Freelance Producer & Choreographer
"From co-design to delivery, the synergy between FT FLIC and A New Direction has allowed us to reach a diverse group of freelancers, equipping them with practical tools and knowledge that can make a real difference in their financial well-being. It’s incredibly inspiring to see participants leave the workshops feeling more confident and empowered to take control of their finances."
— Chantelle Clarke, Head of Content, Financial Times Financial Literacy & Inclusion Campaign
"The Freelance Exchange programme is offering precious time to get first-hand advice and reviews from industry professionals and meet like-minded photographers, for free. It was a real treat to get to see work from young talented artists from Hackney and exchange with them."
— Sonia Jeunet, Education Director, Magnum Photos
"[Freelance Exchange] built up my confidence...A New Direction genuinely care about what you want to do...The masterclasses helped me create a biography that explained what I do and why it was unique...they also provided me with resources to figure out a day rate. I follow their newsletter and have been inspired by what others are up to!"
— Savena, Freelancer & Marketer, Co-Founder of Identity 20 & Grand Plan
"It was so good to hear someone actually from BAFTA, giving their insights." — Previous Freelance Exchange participant
Celebrating our alumni
All of our alumni go on to chart their own unique journeys in the creative sectors, here's a helpful blog post from Rebekah Williams who secured Arts Council England funding to document female Capoeira dancers in Brazil.
Key highlights for the programme include:
Design Hacks
- Paid interactive focus groups that explore social impact and community-driven solutions. Examples of previous Design Hacks:
Cost of Living Billboard Campaign with tag Agency
Financial Times Literacy Campaign Freelancer Focus Groups
University of London Climate Change & Language - Research Workshops
Monthly Masterclasses
- These cover finance, marketing, business and legal aspects essential to freelancing. Find out what's on via Eventbrite.
& Friends
- Is a creative collective meet up that happens every last Friday of the month - welcoming east London based creative freelancers to use the Good Growth Hub as a networking space and an opportunity for you to develop and facilitate your own workshops and get paid. Sign up to & Friends now.
All events are held at the Good Growth Hub in London. Masterclasses are free and Design Hacks pay participants the London Living Wage as a minimum.