Being 17 Is Scary

Being 17 is scary.

There are decisions to be made that you’re not equipped to make on your own. When I was 17 at college in Manchester, one of the few things I was sure of was that I loved filmmaking. Whether it be making films for my end of year school assemblies or messing about with a camcorder with my brother, in an otherwise rough time at school, it felt incredible to feel like I was good at something.

When the time came to make decisions about what steps to take after college I was really unsure. I thought that having a career doing anything creative was only for people who had connections in the industry. Could someone like me - a working class kid from Tameside, who knew no-one who worked in the sector - really have a career making films? Having an Arts Emergency mentor made me believe I could. My mentor Rachel guided me through this overwhelming time, giving their perspective to help me make choices that were right for me which still have an impact today.

I met with my mentor once a month for an hour or so. We tackled the goals we set together - anything from finding work experience to broadening my horizons in what I watched in search of inspiration. I became more aware of the culture in my city which had always felt daunting and inaccessible to me. Now I reflect on this time fondly, having my eyes opened to films and art of all kinds and feeling the spark of possibility for where my creativity can go was exciting. During my year on the Arts Emergency mentoring programme, I got the chance to visit a filmset, and even got work experience as a runner with filmmakers I admire - both arranged by Arts Emergency and opportunities I would not have got on my own.

The great thing about Arts Emergency is that you’re part of a community of young people who are in a similar position to you, and you receive ongoing support for up to 10 years, until you turn 26. It nurtures you as you navigate your path and start your journey cheerleading you along the way.

It’s been seven years since I was an Arts Emergency mentee but the impact it’s had on me and my career has been profound. I’m now showing my own work alongside the films of makers I did work experience with and I’ve had screenings at some of Manchester’s best-loved arts venues - HOME, Contact Theatre, the Whitworth!

As far as decisions go, applying to be an Arts Emergency mentee is the best I’ve ever made. I would love every young creative in the city to have their own mentor. Manchester’s creative scene is bursting with talent, but we risk losing a generation of brilliant voices unless the industry opens its doors to those without connections or access. It’s up to individuals to drive this and mentoring is one of the simplest, most impactful ways to make that happen – offering guidance, encouragement, and connections will ensure creativity thrives here.

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Recruitment for 2026 Arts Emergency mentors is now open, apply HERE.

Arts Emergency

Arts Emergency is a grassroots movement that opens doors for underrepresented young people with creative ambitions, by connecting them to each other and to creative professionals.

Founded in 2013 by comedian Josie Long and activist Neil Griffiths, the organisation has helped over 2,200 young people in the UK access and thrive in creativity and culture by providing a long-term combined programme of mentorship, networking and real-world opportunities.