Braw Talent stands out in Scotland’s ever-evolving creative landscape. Dedicated to cultivating an inclusive, diverse, and representative creative sector, this social enterprise has made waves, particularly by working with marginalized communities. Led by co-founders Darren and Lydia, Braw Talent has positioned itself as a force for good in Scotland’s third sector, amplifying underrepresented voices and unlocking opportunities for young people who might otherwise be overlooked. 

Bold Studio sat down with Darren for an in-depth conversation as part of the Creating Change series to discuss the journey, challenges, and achievements that have shaped Braw Talent’s impact on the creative sector. 

Breaking Barriers: How Braw Talent Got Started 

“Our main goal is amplifying voices,” Darren said, explaining the ethos behind the organisation. Braw Talent works predominantly with third-sector organisations, many supporting marginalised groups. Their mission? To give the young people the tools, platforms, and opportunities to tell their own stories. But it’s not just about handing over the microphone—it’s about skills development and sustainable learning, ensuring that participants leave with something more than just a finished project. 

For Darren and Lydia, the idea for Braw Talent stemmed from their shared background in teaching. They witnessed first-hand how many young people did not understand how to break into creative careers. “The pathways just weren’t visible,” Darren said. “Most young people only knew about being an art teacher or a musician. That was it.” 

Braw Talent emerged as a response to this gap. It is designed to showcase diverse careers in the creative sector and actively engage with underrepresented groups, offering mentorship, guidance, and hands-on experience. 

Lydia Everitt - Co-funder of Braw Talent working in the studio

"It’s so important that the voices contributing to the creative output are as diverse as the stories being told,"

A Ripple Effect of Social Impact 

At its core, Braw Talent doesn’t work in isolation. One of its most distinctive features is how it collaborates with freelancers from underrepresented backgrounds, creating a multiplier effect of diversity and inclusion. Darren described this as “twice the impact”—the output from Braw Talent’s projects becomes richer because it draws from the lived experiences of both the participants and the freelance creatives involved. 

These projects, spanning film, animation, and digital media, allow young people to work alongside professionals who share their lived experiences, reinforcing the idea that the creative sector is open to them. “It’s so important that the voices contributing to the creative output are as diverse as the stories being told,” Darren emphasised. 

Through this co-productive approach, Braw Talent showcases stories and empowers young people to lead the storytelling process themselves. One such young person, Darren recalls, had never worked on animation before joining a project. Within months, his talent had flourished to the point where he was leading a stop-motion project using industry-standard equipment. “He went from zero experience to working on an award-winning animation,” Darren said with pride. 

Animation process at Braw Talent's studio in Glasgow.

Tailoring Creative Learning to Empower Youth  

One of the most striking things about Braw Talent is the bespoke nature of its projects. The organisation predominantly works with youth aged 8 to 25, tailoring workshops that tap into each individual’s interests and passions. Whether through animation, filmmaking, or even photography, the young participants are encouraged to take charge of their own creative journey. 

Darren explained how they build this sense of ownership from the very first meeting. “We make it clear that this is their project,” he said. “They decide how they want to tell their story and what medium they want to use. That way, they’re invested from the start.” 

This approach is not without challenges. It can be difficult to draw out creativity in some young people, especially those who may be dealing with personal struggles. However, the trust that Braw Talent builds through its open-ended, participant-led process creates a safe environment for expression. 

Braw Talent also addresses another critical issue: free tools for educators and community groups. The free resources and digital tools for participants and teachers alike ensure that the learning continues long after the workshop is over. 

Handcut set for "Clan Childlaw - Alright?" animation

Creative Expression and Measurable Impact 

Braw Talent’s work doesn’t stop at creative expression. Darren and his team are deeply invested in measuring their social impact. “It’s about confidence, skills development, and long-term outcomes,” he said. The organisation uses a range of criteria to track improvements in confidence, skills learned, and career outcomes while also working within the frameworks set by its third-sector partners. 

One of the most significant impacts Darren described was the ripple effect of the work Braw Talent does. “It’s not just us achieving our goals,” he explained. “It’s the organisations we work with, the young people, and the professionals. It’s all interconnected, and that ripple effect creates long-lasting change.” 

Some of Braw Talent’s projects have even reached national platforms, with films screened in the Scottish and UK Parliaments and their work forming part of national learning resources. “That’s what we take the most pride in,” Darren said. “When the work we create is used to make real change, like influencing language in the justice system—that’s the impact that matters.” 

The Power of Tech for Good 

In an increasingly digital world, Braw Talent is harnessing technology to drive its social mission. Their innovative use of animation and digital storytelling has not gone unnoticed—they were recently nominated for the Social Enterprise Scotland Tech for Good Award. This nomination reflects the organisation's commitment to using technology not only to create high-quality creative outputs but to make these tools accessible to marginalised communities. 

“We want the skills we teach to be sustainable,” Darren said, noting how they focus on teaching techniques that can be replicated with everyday technology, such as smartphones. “Before we show them how to use professional gear, we show them how they can achieve similar results with their phone. That way, they can continue creating long after the project ends.” 

This accessibility has been particularly transformative for their work with people facing physical or mental barriers, such as the young adults they’ve worked with at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Pollok. Darren shared the story of one young man who used the photography skills he learned to start a fashion label. “He’s now running a brand called Equal Clothing, and it all started with a simple photography workshop.” 

A Growing Future for Braw Talent 

Braw Talent’s future looks bright. They’ve seen a remarkable increase in freelance hours from just under 300 to over 800 in the last year. And they’re not slowing down. Darren revealed they’re finalists in the Scottish EDGE competition for the social enterprise category, which could bring much-needed investment to expand their team. 

“We hope to bring on a new staff member this year,” Darren said. “That will help us increase our impact even more.” By adding to their team, Braw Talent aims to offer even more paid internships and continue growing their network of freelance collaborators. 

Conclusion: A Catalyst for Lasting Change 

From empowering individual young people to making national waves in policy and education, this small but mighty organisation is proving that creativity, when harnessed for social good, has the power to create lasting change. 

Braw Talent isn’t just a creative organisation. It’s a catalyst for inclusion, diversity, and sustainable social impact. As Scotland’s creative sector faces budget cuts and uncertainty, organisations like Braw Talent offer a beacon of hope, showing that with the right approach, creativity can be a force for good in even the toughest of times. 

Braw Talent wins the Silver Ruler in the "Design for Good" category at The Scottish Design Awards 2024