If they don’t offer you
a seat at the table,
bring a folding chair
Creative Equals Community | Women
A free back-to-work programme running in June 2025 for
creative women and gender non-conforming folk, now in
it’s 6th year.
Applications for our 2025
programme are now OPEN
Bring your chair. Take your place.
You’ve built your creative career, but right now you’re out of work wondering what’s next. Maybe the tech’s moved on, the connections aren't there, or your confidence has taken a hit. Whether you’re trying to get back in, stay in, or switch things up, it can feel like your seat is gone, or never truly yours.
Raising a family. Unemployment. Caring for others. Redundancy. Healing. Pressing pause. These aren’t gaps — they’re chapters that build resilience. And they bring a perspective the creative industry needs.
That’s why we created the CE Community | Women programme.
Launched in 2019, our FREE June 2025 online programme is for UK women and gender non-conforming creatives ready to reclaim their space, with tools, support, and a community that gets it.
It’s your toolkit. Your support crew. And yes - your folding chair.
Because if there’s no seat at the table, we say: bring your own.
Take your seat.
Explore the programme details and FAQs below.
In partnership with…
Creative Equals' New York 2024 Video (our June 2025 programme is for the UK)
CE Community | Women
CE Community Programme | Women is a free 3 week programme and runs in three sections:
Week 1 June 2nd -6th : Welcome Day and Creative Workshops
We kick things off in person in London where you’ll meet your fellow participants and the Creative Equals team. The rest of the week takes place online and we’ve curated a mix of group learning and interactive workshops all carefully designed to stretch your creative thinking, foster collaborative dynamics, and highlight current creative industry trends. These sessions are delivered by the world-class educational organisation D&AD, and don’t worry - you’ll be supported all the way through!
Week 2 June 9-13th: Creative Exploration and the Presentation Day
You will work on a live creative brief from Diageo - a fantastic opportunity to produce fresh relevant work for your portfolio. Working in a small team you’ll have the support from a Creative Mentor from one of our Creative Agency Partners, to give you real-world feedback along the way.At the end of the week you’ll present your creative ideas and / or designs in person at a central London location, directly to Diageo, our Creative Mentors and industry peers. It’s a chance to sharpen your presentation skills, make real connections, and walk away with work you’re proud to showcase.
Week 3 June 16th-20th: Recruitment & Employability Support
A series of hands-on workshops and inspiring talks designed to support your next career move.
You’ll get practical training on how to make the most of LinkedIn, refresh and refine your portfolio, and navigate today’s ever-evolving job market. You’ll also hear directly from talent and career experts who know what it takes to stand out.And the support doesn’t stop there. You’ll also receive ongoing mentorship for three months after the programme, giving you guidance and encouragement as you take your next steps.
And to wrap it all up, we’ll come together in person in Central London on the final day to celebrate your journey — a chance to connect, reflect, and toast to what’s next.
Note: If we can make adjustments to make this programme more accessible, please let us know on your application form or by emailing emma@creativeequals.org
The programme is designed to help you:
Accelerate your creative career, giving you and your voice a seat at the table.
Confidently navigate today’s recruitment landscape, equipping you with the tools, knowledge, and insights you need to stand out to potential employers.
Bolster your portfolio on a working brief from the global mega-brand Diageo.
Boost your confidence and gain new tools that will help you make your best work.
Explore how the creative industry is advancing with emerging technologies, and learn from industry experts
Grow alongside a talented community of creative talent, all working together, learning together, and championing each other’s progress.
Who is this programme for?
CE Community | Women is open to women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming folk , who have previously worked as a creative in the advertising, marketing and design industry.
Eligibility Criteria
This programme is exclusively open to women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people.
Have previous experience as a creative (e.g., art director, copywriter, creative strategist conceptual designer, or similar role) in the advertising, marketing, or design industry.
As the programme is delivered in English, applicants must possess a proficient level of English to participate effectively.
Reside in the UK and have full UK working rights.
Be able to attend the online programme every weekday between Monday 2nd June to Friday 20th June, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Be able to attend three in-person events in central London—Monday 2nd June, Friday 13th June and Friday 20th June.
Have support structures in place to be able to attend the course virtually and attend the in-person days at a Central London location.
Have the computer equipment/internet access in place to be able to attend the course virtually.
The programme is FREE to attend, however If you require financial support eg. travel or caring costs during the programme, please let us know by selecting the relevant box on the application form. We'll review your request and do our best to assist you. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from our programme, regardless of their financial situation.
Note: If we can make adjustments to make this programme more accessible, please let us know by emailing: emma@creativeequals.org
FAQs
APPLICANT INFORMATION
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Any woman, non-binary or GNC person, who is looking for employment in the creative advertising, marketing and design industry.
You must have previously worked as a creative in the advertising, marketing and/or design industry in one of the following roles: creative, creative strategist, art director, copywriter, editor, content creator or designer or very similar role.You must have current full UK working rights and be currently in the UK.
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Up to 30 people will be invited to join the programme.
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There is a 2 stage application process:
The first application form can be found at the top of this webpage. We will ask you for your details, your CV, your website or your portfolio.
Once you have submitted your information you will be considered for selection to the second stage.
The second stage will require you to respond to a small creative brief.
You shouldn’t need access to anything high-tech to be able to complete your application. As long as you have access to a mobile device or computer, and a reliable internet connection you should be able to complete the application process.
We want you to be able to apply to the best of your ability, so if you have any questions about the application (no matter how big or small) or if you need us to make any adjustments to make this form accessible for you, please let us know and we will do our best to support your requirements.
Please contact emma@creativeequals.org
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1st stage applications open Monday 7 April 2025
1st stage applications close at 6pm Tuesday 6 May 2025
2nd stage applications close 6pm on Friday 16th May
Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 19th May
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Yes. This programme is only open to people who have previously worked or in the creative industry as a creative, creative strategist, art director, copywriter, editor, content creator or designer, or very similar role.
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If you’ve had occasional stints of freelance work then yes, absolutely.
However please note that we’d need your full commitment for the duration of the programme.
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If you are working in a job outside of the creative industry and would like to return to a creative role you can apply. However you must be able to attend the full programme schedule.
If you have never worked or studied in the creative industry then unfortunately this programme is not suitable for you. -
Unfortunately not. This programme is only open creatives who have experience worked as a creative in the advertising and design industry.
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This programme is for people who have already spent time working as a creative.
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Yes.
Please note there will be 3 in-person days in a Central London location on Monday 2 June, Friday 13 June and Friday 20th June which you’ll need to attend.
SELECTION PROCESS
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The Creative Equals team will review all applications. We will let you know as soon as possible whether you have got through to the 2nd stage.
The latest you will hear from us is Monday 12th May. -
All first and second stage applications will be reviewed for suitability by a diverse panel of people who work or are familiar with the creative industry.
We’re committed to building an inclusive group of participants irrelevant of age, race, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, physical or mental ability or ethnicity.
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There are up to 30 spaces available.
THE PROGRAMME
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The programme is run over 3 weeks.
Monday 2 June to Friday 20 June 2025. -
Week 1: Monday June 2nd - Friday 6th June
Week 2: Monday 9th June - Friday 13th June
Week 3: Monday 16th June - Friday 20th June
You must be able to attend all days
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The programme is predominately run virtually via Zoom however their will be in person days during the 3 week programme:
Welcome Day - Monday 2 June
Presentation day - Friday 13 June
Employability day - Friday 20 June (TBC)
London locations - you must be able to attend these days in person. -
The programme will run virtually from 9:30am-3:30pm
On the in person days, the hours will be:
Monday 2nd June 10am - 3:30pm
Friday 13th June - 9:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 20th June - 10am - 3:30pm ( option to stay longer)
Pleas note, when working on the creative brief in week two, past participants have continued working independently on their campaign idea or designs after 3:30pm.
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Yes. You will need to be able to attend the full 3 weeks.
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No. We expect you to commit to the full 3 weeks of the programme.
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If you require any adjustments or have any accessibility needs to attend the programme, please let us know by ticking the relevant box in the application form or contact emma@creativeequals.org
We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from our programme, regardless of their financial situation. We understand that financial barriers can be a hindrance to participation, and we don't want that to hold anyone back.
If you require financial support eg. travel or caring costs during the programme, please let us know by ticking the relevant box in the application form or contact emma@creativeequals.org
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Access to a mobile device or laptop
Access to a quiet space with reliable internet connection
Pen and paper!
POST PROGRAMME
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It’s important to us that you finish the programme feeling confident about working within the creative industry.
We also understand that in some cases a little more support is required. If this is the case we will offer you a mentor who will support you for a period of 3 months after the programme.Details will be shared at the end of the programme.
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To really change the creative industry, we need the creative industry on board. Partners usually support us in any of the following ways
Applicant outreach - amplifying and making noise that our programme exists.
Sponsorship
Mentorship
Providing content for -workshops and sessions
If you’re up for creating a more equitable industry, let’s chat about how we work together to achieve it. Please email emma@creativeequals.org
We’re an agency, brand, charity…
“The experience had such a positive effect on my work that one of my freelance clients snatched me up as a permanent employee just a few months after the course. Overall, this has given me so much more confidence in regards to my employment!”
— CE Community 2023 participant
“The programme was a roll call of world class tutors and mentors who pushed us to our own personal and professional best.
I have come out the other side with a shiny new toolbox of strategies and practices, much more confidence, invaluable industry contacts, and a group of cheerleaders - who will always have my back.
If you get a chance to take this world class course, grab it and do not let it go. It will change your life.”
— CE Community 2023 participant
