Idris Elba’s foundation joins with Prince’s Trust to support young creatives
The new project, titled Creative Futures, launched in Manchester.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Hollywood star Idris Elba’s foundation has joined forces with The Prince’s Trust to support young people who want to get into creative careers.
The new project, titled Creative Futures – which launched in Manchester on Wednesday, will provide free courses over the year which help build the skills and confidence needed to find a job, train or start a business in the creative industries.
Luther star Elba was supported by The Prince’s Trust as a teenager and has continued to work closely with the charity during his career.
The 52-year-old, who founded The Elba Hope Foundation with his wife Sabrina, said: “Many of us working in the arts today, myself included, only made it because of programmes like this when we were young.
“Today’s youth deserve at least the same chance, and more. ‘Creative Futures’ exists to give the same hope, support and success I’ve found to the next generation.”
He continued: “Sabrina and I co-founded The Elba Hope Foundation to help every young person fulfil their potential, the Creative Futures programme will do just that, with courses in industries I know and love.
“We’ll help young people develop skills, confidence and aspirations for the future.”
The range of free courses, delivered by The Prince’s Trust, will support young people who are not in work, education or training, to find out more about careers and jobs in the creative industries, such as music, theatre, or the arts.
The first courses for young people to take part in are Get Started with DJing and an Enterprise course focusing on developing creative businesses.
The programmes open for applications from Wednesday and the DJing course will take place next month.