2022 has been a year of growth and creative experiments. A year of engaging, enabling, and empowering young people at a critical time. Against the backdrop of a pandemic and upsetting world events, Mortal Fools, like so many other charities, has been working hard to make a positive difference - and one of our ways of doing that has been through Creative Catalyst.
Creative Catalyst is the strand of Mortal Fools work focused on:
- allyship
- creative sector change through listening, learning, and bold action
- amplifying young people’s voices
- career progression in the creative industries
Authenticity is so important to Mortal Fools. Lots of people (and organisations) expend a lot of energy trying to fit into a mould, or to emulate others who are doing well. We choose to spend our energy ploughing our own path; going directly against the grain if need be. We strive to be brave, to be positive disruptors, and to challenge the sector to do better - leading by example. We are committed to scaffolding brave, safe spaces, that enable folks to engage with Mortal Fools on their terms.
Creative Catalyst is not an area of work that sits in isolation – it underpins and influences all of Mortal Fools' work. We embrace the principle of “calling in” over “calling out”. Where "calling out" assumes the worst and is rooted in shame, "calling in" involves conversation, compassion, and context, whilst still challenging folks and holding them accountable. Mortal Fools seeks to lead by example in culture, education, and youth work sectors.
As a purpose-driven organisation, our work must be socially relevant and make a demonstrable and measurable difference to those we work with. We create safe spaces which support and encourage everyone to be their authentic, imperfect selves - with individual strengths, vulnerabilities, lived experiences, emotions, and needs. We recognise, respect, and embrace our differences; understanding that this makes us all stronger, more empathetic, and wiser. We are committed to continuous reflection and development. We receive feedback graciously and gratefully, and use supportive and constructive ways to give and respond to feedback.
Creative Catalyst is not an area of work that sits in isolation – it underpins and influences all of Mortal Fools' work. We embrace the principle of “calling in” over “calling out”. Where "calling out" assumes the worst and is rooted in shame, "calling in" involves conversation, compassion, and context, whilst still challenging folks and holding them accountable. Mortal Fools seeks to lead by example in culture, education, and youth work sectors.
As a purpose-driven organisation, our work must be socially relevant and make a demonstrable and measurable difference to those we work with. We create safe spaces which support and encourage everyone to be their authentic, imperfect selves - with individual strengths, vulnerabilities, lived experiences, emotions, and needs. We recognise, respect, and embrace our differences; understanding that this makes us all stronger, more empathetic, and wiser. We are committed to continuous reflection and development. We receive feedback graciously and gratefully, and use supportive and constructive ways to give and respond to feedback.
As part of this work, and to hold ourselves accountable, we:
- are a Living Wage Accredited employer – one of over 10,000 UK businesses who believe our staff deserve a wage which meets everyday needs. Our pay scales and employee packages are sector competitive.
- were the first small business to be awarded the North of Tyne Combined Authority Good Work Pledge at Advanced Level, in recognition of our commitment to looking after people and social responsibility.
- are a North East Initiative on Business Ethics (NIBE) member. Members are recognised in their commitment and work around ethical business, and trustworthy, honest, and transparent businesses practices.
- published our Mortal Fools Recruitment Promises – transparency, fairness, and valuing individuals.
- hold annual company development weeks, two team away days a year, and regular practice development sessions - focusing on business development, young people’s contemporary needs, and Equality Diversity and Inclusion work.
- enable our staff to be the best versions of themselves in the workplace, by embracing genuine flexible and hybrid working. All staff receive an annual wellbeing allowance to be spent however the individual wants or needs to support them, equipment allowance to set up their home workspace, and lots of training and development opportunities annually.
- engage in annual/bi-annual training in Disability Awareness, Resilience, First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Safeguarding, LGBTQIA+ Awareness, and Unconscious Bias.
- have an established network of critical friends that advise, challenge and support our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work, and shape our work through the lens of their lived experiences.
- showcase, celebrate, demystify, and redefine equitable routes into the creative industries. We create paid opportunities for folks, cultivate and invest in creative talent, and (in collaboration with other likeminded organisations) are determined to open up progression routes in our sector and provide sustainable creative career opportunities, beyond the privileged few. Watch our Creative Catalyst: The Creative Industries digital event recording to learn more about this work.
Over the next few months, we will:
- publish our “Braver Spaces” pledge, articulating how we hold and maintain safe spaces whilst enabling and empowering folks within them.
- launch the next iteration of our Mortal Fools Staff Handbook. This will clearly communicate Mortal Fools' approach to keeping people safe, and our commitment to young people, folks from the global majority, people who identify as disabled, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and our Mortal Fools community as a whole, with all of their intersectional needs. The handbook is a resource for staff so they know what support is available, what to do and who to approach if they don’t feel safe, and how to support others.
- recruit new members onto our board with lived experience of the Ashington Community, lived experience of racism, as well as more young people.
Whilst we believe all our Mortal Fools staff, board, and community have a crucial role to play in this work, we have a named member of our leadership team that oversees it. We are always open to sharing, learning, being challenged, and listening to feedback. You can drop her an email to connect at [email protected].
