Helen O'Brien

After establishing and running a similar two-year pilot project for young creatives as part of the lead up to Perth Creative Exchange and The Famous Grouse Ideas Centre opening, Helen decided to take the model of forward and founded Creative Catalyst Scotland, a social enterprise which supports young people into creative careers.

Getting Started

After working in arts development in Perth and Kinross for 15 years as a freelance artist and arts educator, specialising in sculpture, Helen went back to university to do a Masters degree in Arts and Humanities.  

She says “I knew I wanted to bring together everything I had learnt over the years including working with young people in the visual arts, and had already piloted a similar creative employability programme, so I knew there was a need. 

“My passion for visual arts and having spent so many years working with young people, I could see the potential of a social enterprise which could support young people who know they are creative but don’t necessarily want to go to college or university.”

Creative Catalyst Scotland was launched at the end of 2019 to support young people who face barriers into creative industry training, jobs and careers in Perth & Kinross. Through delivery of live projects, they offer hands-on work experiences with professional artists, alongside supporting the health and well-being of individuals who are struggling to find a focus for their creative skills and ideas.

Support

Helen says she got where she is through “sheer hard work and never forgetting that you should always love what you do and do what you love.” She also mentions her “fantastic board of directors who support, challenge and believe in what we do.” 

Helen advises other entrepreneurs to “work with people you respect and admire, as we need to be happy and healthy in our work environment.”

Creative Catalyst received start-up funding from Firstport and advice from Just Enterprise, which Helen says has been invaluable. She’s grateful for the support GrowBiz provided in helping her get going, “I’ve had amazing support from GrowBiz, whether it’s preparing a business plan to networking to find a web designer or navigating access to financial support.”

Looking to the Future 

During the pandemic, Creative Catalyst hasn’t been able to work face to face with young people which, for some individuals, has really impacted on their progression, and, as a brand new business, it has been difficult to access funding and support. However, Helen has been focusing on planning ahead and wants to establish Creative Catalyst at Perth Creative Exchange as a base for creative opportunities for children, young people and adults. “We have so many amazing creative practitioners in Tayside who can inspire the next generation of creatives through teaching, sharing and mentoring,” she says. 

Another key goal is to develop a creative industries apprenticeship programme based at Perth Creative Exchange.

 “I’m very mindful of how important it is to build a sustainable business which will deliver an income both for myself and future employees,” she concludes. 

Find out more about Creative Catalyst Scotland at www.creativecatalystscotland.co.uk