By Precious Assah
De Montfort University is fostering entrepreneurial spirit among its students through the innovative DMU Made Creative Programme.
This extracurricular initiative, led by Simon Baines, 43, began during the COVID-19 lockdown and aims to encourage self-employment, freelancing, and entrepreneurship among students and graduates.
The programme’s success has led to significant expansions over the past few years.
Initially the programme offered small, practical workshops to keep students engaged when the campus was closed during lockdown.
These workshops received an overwhelmingly positive response, prompting an expanded version in 2023. Due to increasing demand, the programme has been further enhanced for 2024, now combining several previous projects, including Resilience and Future Entrepreneurs.
Mr Baines said his inspiration comes from his extensive experience in the creative field and his network of contacts, emphasising the importance of transferable skills.
With a background in radio at Lincs FM Leicestershire, Mr Baines said he understands how skills developed in one field can be applied broadly.
This drives his commitment to the programme, which highlights the universal value of skills acquired through activities such as YouTube, podcasting, and graphic design.
Mr Baines said: “Our primary goal is to help participants grasp the benefits and challenges of freelancing and self-employment in the creative industries.
“Rather than relying on lectures and PowerPoints, we focus on making the learning experience practical and engaging.”
Workshops are held both on and off campus, utilising local venues including Curve and Phoenix to immerse students in the real-world environments.
Industry professionals frequently participate, providing students with invaluable insights into their fields.
One notable workshop included a tour of HQ Recording Studios, offering students a firsthand look at a professional recording studio environment.
Despite scheduling challenges with students’ lectures, the programme continues to evolve. Plans for next year include collaboration with DMU Global for associated trips and networking events.
The team is also considering evening workshops to better accommodate students’ schedules.
Students interested in participating or providing feedback can contact Simon Baines, Tammy Meahan and Rehana Lila in the DMU careers department for more information.
