9 Creative and Design Opportunities

Closing date for applications: 14 July 2026 at 11.59pm

Programme start date: September 2026

Duration: 6 months

Please make sure to read the full 'To apply' section below in detail.

Creative Access is proud to partner with Maya Jama to launch the second iteration of her exciting mentoring programme for early-career women from under-represented backgrounds in the creative industries.

Maya Jama is a British broadcaster, entrepreneur, and social ambassador. From gracing the cover of Vogue, to hosting ITV‚ Love Island, Maya Jama is one of the leading figures in the UK‚ creative industries and passionate about increasing representation in her field.

This 6-month opportunity will connect eleven emerging creatives with eleven powerhouse mentors from Maya Jama's professional network, offering guidance, industry insight, and career support in the worlds of branding / communications, PR, photography, business / entrepreneurism, broadcasting / comedy, TV production, theatre, and music.

Whether you are an aspiring TV broadcaster, producer, musician, or entrepreneur, this programme is designed to help you grow your confidence, expand your network and gain first-hand knowledge of your industry.

How does the programme work?

Eleven mentees will be matched with eleven established mentors from Maya Jama's personal network. The programme runs from September 2026 to March 2027. The mentees will have the opportunity to attend events with Maya Jama and the MIJ team, as well as gaining industry specific insight into the specialities of their mentors in dedicated monthly mentoring sessions. Please note, you can only apply to be mentored by a mentor in one sector listed below, per application. We encourage candidates to make a maximum of two applications.

Please specify which one of the nine sectors you are interested in gaining mentorship when applying.

• Talent Management
• Branding / Communications
• PR
• Photography
• Business / Entrepreneurism
• Broadcasting / Comedy
• TV Production
• Theatre Production
• Music

This programme is designed for those who:

• Are currently at an aspiring, entry or junior-level career stage
• Have a keen interest in progressing their career within TV production, talent management, comms / branding, PR, photography, business / entrepreneurism, broadcasting / comedy, theatre, or music
• Are willing to engage positively with a mentor on a monthly basis for six months.
• Have not previously worked with a mentor
• Are available to participate between September 2026 and March 2027

• Identify as a woman and are from an under-represented group in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: deaf, disabled or neurodivergent talent, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

To apply

Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity.

Please upload a CV and answers to the following questions as part of your application in ONE document (creative applications are accepted too):

• Tell us why you would like to participate in this programme and how it will benefit your career development.
• Tell us about any obstacles or challenges that you are currently facing in your career.
• What have you done so far to help you realise your creative goals?
• Why are you interested in working within this mentoring area specifically?

Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully.

Do not contact the company directly. Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk

If you have any questions or if you require any access support while completing the application form, or would prefer to submit your application in an alternative format (e.g. video or audio recording), please email recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk to discuss further.

This opportunity is open to individuals from groups that are under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers, as well as individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds.

The successful candidates for this opportunity will also participate in a Creative Access support programme that sits alongside workplace training. This includes a programme of induction training, monthly masterclasses, wellbeing support, buddying / mentoring and more.