Jump Studios is *Knowle West Media Centre’s programme for young people and emerging creatives aged 10 – 30.
We believe everyone is creative and our programme offers a range of opportunities to explore art, technology, media, and creative careers.
We provide after-school groups, creative courses, work experience, training opportunities and holiday activities. We also offer paid work via our Creative Agency Eight.
Jump Studios focuses on four key areas:
- Skills development
- Engaging with Young People
- Training for employment
- Supported employment
All of our programmes are delivered by a specialist creative team, who are led and inspired by our core values (see below). Our work combines coaching practices with youth work principles and is underpinned by our Theory of Change.
Jump Studios and Knowle West Media Centre are committed to diversifying the creative industries and using the power of creativity to induce positive social change in Bristol and beyond.
Our Values are shared across all KWMC programmes:
- Imagination
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Equity
- Resilience
*Knowle West Media Centre is an arts centre and charity and we’ve been based in South Bristol – on the Knowle West estate – since 1996. Since those early days, our work has centred on working collaboratively with people from different backgrounds to develop new and creative ways to achieve positive social change – and supporting people to develop the skills and confidence to be change-makers.
Our Theory of Change
All young people and emerging creatives working with Jump Studios will progress through our Theory of Change. The diagram below illustrates a young person’s learning journey and our theory of change:
We believe that everyone is creative and we engage young people and emerging creatives via our variety of programme activities. Our programmes are designed to provide young people and emerging creatives with a powerful experience, build their ‘soft’ skills such as effective communication, teamwork and problem solving. We also train young people to develop identified skills in arts, media and digital technology, we widen their networks with peers and professionals in the creative industries, and ultimately this leads to increased self confidence to go on and achieve in everyday life, both personally and professionally.
Coaching Approach
Our core staff team are all certified coaches with the Association for Coaching. Our training partner for the past three years is the trailblazing MOE Coaching foundation.
Coaching Defined:
Coaching is a facilitated, dialogic and reflective learning process that aims to grow the individuals (or teams) awareness, responsibility and choice (thinking and behavioural).
Association for Coaching
Coaching enables our team to listen more effectively, support young people to adopt a growth mindset and raise their aspirations. It enables young people to set clear personal and professional goals and reach their full potential. Coaching is a key tool that is built into everything we do at Jump Studios.
We believe coaching changes lives – but don’t just take our word for it, here’s what young people we support have to say:
“The coaching workshop seriously improved my awareness as well my understanding of my own process”
-Participant of The Male Room
“I didn’t know I needed it until I had it. Dot was my coach and she made me feel so at ease and actually helped me establish my goals and what steps I need to take to get there. It’s made me feel so motivated and I’m happy I agreed to do it.”
-Participant of Sound Wave Retreat
“I felt the coaching session was a good way to reflect on myself as a person and a musician. It also helped paint a rough way forward for me to become the musician/ person I’d like to be and help realise I don’t exactly know what I want but I’m moving closer to it.”
-Participant of Sound Wave Retreat
If you’d like to know How Coaching Works and the basics of 1-2-1 coaching practice – check out this short animation by Wellness Coaching.
Youth work principles
Youth Work works!
Our practice is informed by The National Youth Agency (NYA), with core team members holding youth work qualifications.
“Youth work is complex series of professional principles, practices and methods which we often describe as the science of enabling young people to believe in themselves and build positive futures.”
Youth Work Principles
We believe youth work changes lives and that’s why youth work principles are the foundation of everything we do.
“The principles of youth work are supported by reflective practice and peer education, establishing and maintaining relationships with young people and community groups:
- Knowledge of how young people develop during adolescence and appropriate support
- Trusted relationships and voluntary engagement of young people
- Understanding how to establish boundaries, challenging behaviour and de-escalate conflict
- The importance of safeguarding in providing a safe environment for young people”
The National Youth Agency
If you want to understand more about the science of Youth Work – have a read here.
Arts Awards
We support young people and emerging creatives to complete the accredited Arts Award. Arts Award is “a range of unique qualifications that supports anyone aged up to 25 to grow as artists and arts leaders, inspiring them to connect with and take part in the wider arts world through taking challenges in an art form – from fashion to digital art, pottery to poetry.”
We deliver Arts Award Gold, Silver and Bronze across our programmes.
Parents
We know that safety is a top priority for parents and carers – and it’s a top priority for us! That’s why all of our team members are checked with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS checked) and have been trained to support young people with a range of learning, access, wellbeing and mental health needs.
We’re committed to safeguarding the health, wellbeing and rights of every young person who engages with us. If you would like to see a copy of our Child Protection Policy you can access it here.
Before a young person under 18 can take part in an activity with Jump Studios, we ask parents and carers to complete a registration / consent form. You can access these via this link.
Parent case study
“My son has been extremely lucky to benefit from the huge range of workshops that Jump Studios offer. His favourites have included the ‘Wildlife Photography’ and ‘Maker City’. As well as making new friends, his confidence has grown hugely, and he told me that ‘he wishes school was more like Jump Studios!’
My daughter has been desperate to attend, and now finally old enough, thoroughly enjoyed the ‘animation’ course this summer. So much so that she went straight home and unbeknown to us, created her own stop animation!
The staff are amazing, and it’s such a friendly and relaxed atmosphere to learn in. I’m very grateful that they have had these opportunities!”
Esther O’Donnell
Access and Inclusion
Inclusive practice
We’re committed to creating an environment that’s safe, inclusive and supportive, where all young people can access our facilities and participate fully in activities.
We want to make sure that all visitors have an enjoyable time as part of Jump Studios activities and we hope this information is useful in planning your and/or your child’s visit. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of the team.
Our buildings
Knowle West Media Centre (Leinster Avenue) is wheelchair accessible. It has a lift to the second floor, two parking spaces for the use of disabled visitors, and an accessible toilet. Baby changing facilities are available in the accessible toilet.
KWMC: The Factory is based at Filwood Green Business Park. The Business Park has parking spaces available for the use of disabled visitors. The areas of KWMC: The Factory that are open to the public are wheelchair accessible. Toilets in KWMC: The Factory are accessible and gender neutral.
Personal assistants and assistance animals are very welcome at both KWMC and KWMC: The Factory.
BSL (British Sign Language)
Our staff are not BSL trained but we can book an interpreter for an event or course you’re coming to. We’ll need a minimum of one week’s notice to book an interpreter so please let us know as soon as possible.
Print material
We can provide worksheets and notes in large print. Please let us know if you would like to read KWMC material in a language other than English, and we’ll do our best to obtain this for you.
Schools & Colleges
We have a wealth of experience working with schools and colleges, and we offer a variety of creative and practical workshops to complement the National Curriculum Key Stages 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
The Jump Studios team deliver a range of lessons, projects and learning experiences for young people, exploring the potential of digital technology in fun and educational ways.
“The four sessions that were provided gave the children an opportunity to experience making music through different mediums. The sessions were hands-on, well explained and delivered with enthusiasm. The children enjoyed the variety that was provided and responded well to the instructions and tasks set.”
– Teacher; School of Christ the King Primary
If you would like to book a workshop find out more here
Team
Dr Mena Fombo
Head of Young People & Emerging Creatives & Coach.
mena@kwmc.org.uk
Dot Baker
Project Manager: Creative Technology & Coach
Dot@kwmc.org.uk
Mike Moast
Project Coordinator: Music & Coach
Mike@kwmc.org.uk
Daniel Edmund
Communications Coordinator & Coach
Daniel@kwmc.org.uk
Stephanie Burnham
Eight Creative Agency Project Coordinator
Stephanie.Burnham@kwmc.org.uk
Interested in becoming an associate?
Register here.
Work with us
Interested in technology, digital media or the creative arts? Join the team at Jump Studios or Knowle West Media Centre!
Whatever your background, interests or professional discipline, we’re keen to hear from you! Our team includes staff, trustees, volunteers and Associates and you can get involved in a number of ways:
Join our staff team
Jobs will be posted on the KWMC website when they become available. We currently employ over 35 staff, both full and part time.
Volunteer
We have a fantastic volunteer team at Jump Studios and KWMC and their contributions are very highly valued. We’ve developed a support system for our volunteers to ensure that they gain useful, meaningful experiences – and many have gone on to gain employment (several on the KWMC staff team!) We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and particularly from people who live locally.
Become a Trustee
We are looking for individuals with a range of experiences and from a range of backgrounds who would like to use their expertise to support KWMC’s projects and activities. Trustees are champions of KWMC and help to guide and develop the organisation.
For more information click here
Funders
KWMC is a registered charity (registration no: 1092375), based in Bristol. Knowle West Media Centre is supported by Bristol City Council and supported using public funding by Arts Council England. Jump Studios is supported by BBC Children in Need and Youth Music.
We are grateful for their continued support, which enables us to provide opportunities for learning, creativity and development for young people and emerging creatives.
If you like what we’re doing and want to show additional and much-needed support please make a donation online, or contact us for more information regarding one-off or ongoing support.
