We are two!

It’s been 2 years since that fateful night I had a glass of wine and started the Tyne & Wear Cultural Freelancers Facebook group.

It is also 1 year since we went into full lockdown as a country, and all of us had to start thinking very differently about how we survived. 

In the first year of TWCF it felt like important work – a place people had begun to build a collective voice, and a place where we could connect more fully to funders and institutions. Where not only was the workforce being listened to, but our regional nuance too. 

However this last 12 months has been the wildest rollercoaster any of us could ever have dreamed of, and it’s shown me that we really are better together.

Some of our achievements

I.m not sure I can track the impact the group has had over the last 12 months fully, it’s certainly something we need to get better at. But here are some things I know:

• We now have over 2,100 members

• We’ve hosted 5 round tables with colleagues from Arts Council England to support our community

• We hold weekly meeting with members of Arts Council to raise issues on behalf of our community, including many of those surrounding funding

• We’ve hosted multiple Peer Support sessions for Arts Council funding

• We’ve launched our #HoldTheDoorOpen project to make sure our community is heard

• We’ve presented at loads of events – I can’t even remember how many!

• We’ve spoken and presented evidence to Peers of the House of Lords

How about you?

A challenge from us to you today, is to list three things you’re proud of yourself for achieving this year.

Thank you

I’m grateful for the presence of every single one of you. I know some of you contribute regularly and some of you lurk and read posts – and both of those things are important. I hope that you feel connected to each other and the wider sector. 

Thank you all for being here and being so generous in your connection with colleagues. We really are stronger together!