My Creative Steps Journey

My CREATIVE STEPS JOURNEY

When I first started Creative Steps, I had no idea how much it would change my creative journey.

Creative Steps is a programme funded by Arts Council of Wales that helps artists and creative freelancers develop their skills, confidence and careers through tailored training, mentoring and professional development. It gives people the opportunity to explore new creative pathways, gain industry experience and build a stronger future within the arts.

Over the past nine months, Creative Steps has given me the chance to learn, challenge myself and grow both professionally and personally. As a Deaf creative, having access to the right support, including BSL interpreters throughout the project, meant I could fully take part in every opportunity.

 I have chosen the following areas to focus on: acting, podcasting and marketing. 

Finding My Confidence Through Acting

One of the biggest parts of my journey was studying at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where I completed a beginner's Level 1 acting course before progressing to the Intermediate level 2 course. Looking back, I can honestly say acting has transformed my confidence.

At first I was nervous. Like many actors, there is always that little voice asking whether you're good enough.

Through the training I learned movement, script work, character development, physicality, improvisation, monologue, and working truthfully with other actors.

But the biggest lesson wasn't about technique. It was confidence. I stopped worrying about getting everything perfect.

Instead, I learned to trust my instincts, enjoy the process and become more playful in my performances.

As the months went on, I noticed something changing.

I began attending networking events. I joined an improv group. I started auditioning for professional opportunities, including an ITV television series. Those opportunities didn't appear because I suddenly became fearless. They happened because Creative Steps gave me the confidence to say yes.

These courses helped me become more confident as an actor, develop my performance skills, work collaboratively with others and better understand the craft of acting. Since starting the course, I have also begun attending networking events, joined improv classes and even auditioned for professional television opportunities. These are opportunities I never imagined I would be pursuing before Creative Steps.

Discovering the Power of Storytelling

Another exciting part of the project was attending a podcast development course at City Lit.

Before the course, I thought podcasting was simply about sitting behind a microphone and having conversations.

I quickly realised there was so much more to it. I learned how to create a clear concept, identify an audience, structure episodes, develop a strong brand and tell engaging stories.

Most importantly, I discovered that great interviews aren't about asking lots of questions. They're about listening. That lesson has stayed with me ever since.

Whether I'm interviewing someone, acting in a scene or photographing a portrait, storytelling always begins with listening and understanding another person's experience.

The course taught me how to develop podcast ideas, structure episodes, understand audiences, create engaging content and think about growing a podcast over time. It gave me the confidence to see podcasting as another creative tool for sharing stories and connecting with people.

Looking Behind the Scenes with Marketing and Communication. 

One of the most valuable experiences during Creative Steps was shadowing the Marketing and Communications teams at Deaf Gathering Cymru, Chapter Arts Centre and the Machynlleth Comedy Festival.

Rather than simply attending events, I had the opportunity to see everything happening behind the scenes.

I interviewed artists and audiences.

Created Instagram instagram content posts, and learnt how to create my own email newsletter.

Captured photographs and videos.

Supported live events.

Worked alongside marketing teams.

Observed how different departments work together to bring festivals and creative projects to life.

It was fascinating. I realised how much planning, teamwork and creativity happens long before audiences arrive. It also helped me discover something important about myself.

This gave me hands-on experience creating social media content, interviewing people, capturing photographs and videos, promoting live events and seeing how marketing works behind the scenes. It helped me understand how creative organisations communicate with audiences and showed me how my photography, filmmaking and storytelling skills could work together. Although I enjoyed learning about marketing, I realised it isn't where my passion lies. Instead, I loved meeting people, hearing their stories and creating visual content. That realisation was just as valuable as learning a new skill. 

The Value of Having a Mentor

One of the most valuable parts of Creative Steps was working with my mentor, Louise Schofield.

Throughout the project we met regularly to discuss ideas, creative goals and career development.

Louise constantly encouraged me to think bigger.

Instead of waiting for opportunities, she challenged me to create my own.

We talked about podcasting, comedy, content creation, networking, showreels and how to build a sustainable creative career.

Many of our conversations weren't about finding immediate answers.

They were about changing my mindset.

That shift has probably been one of the most valuable outcomes of the entire project.

I also owe a huge thank you to Rachel Kinchin.

Rachel encouraged me to apply for Creative Steps in the first place and supported me throughout the entire project.

She helped manage the programme, organised support when I needed it and made sure I had full access through BSL interpretation.

Without Rachel's encouragement, I'm not sure this journey would ever have happened.

I was also incredibly fortunate to have the support of Rachel, who encouraged me to apply for Creative Steps in the first place. Rachel supported my application, project-managed everything after I received funding and ensured I had everything I needed throughout the project, including arranging BSL access so I could fully participate.

Looking Back

When I look back over the past nine months, I realise how much I have grown.

Creative Steps has helped me become more confident, more ambitious and more willing to put myself forward for opportunities. It has strengthened my acting, introduced me to podcasting, expanded my knowledge of marketing and communications, connected me with inspiring people and helped me build the foundations for my future career as an actor, podcaster, marketer and creative practitioner.

Most importantly, Creative Steps reminded me that growth comes from saying "yes" to new experiences and never stopping learning.

Looking back, I realised that all of these creative skills are connected. Acting has helped me connect with emotion and become a more confident performer. Podcasting has taught me the importance of listening and asking meaningful questions. Marketing has helped me tell visual stories and see the world from different perspectives.

I've also realised that building a creative career isn't just about talent. It's about building relationships, networking, staying curious, embracing new opportunities and taking risks. Above all, it's about believing in yourself and knowing that you deserve to be in the room.

What's Next?

Creative Steps may have finished, but my journey certainly hasn't.

I'm continuing to develop my acting career through auditions, networking and further training.

I'm refining my podcast with a stronger focus on storytelling and conversations with artists and creatives.

I'm growing my marketing practice, capturing honest stories about people and communities.

Most importantly, I'm continuing to create opportunities rather than waiting for them to appear.

That has probably been the biggest lesson of all.

Thank You

A huge thank you to Arts Council of Wales for funding this incredible opportunity and making it possible.

Thank you to Louise Schofield, Rachel Kinchin, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, City Lit, Deaf Gathering Cymru, Chapter Arts Centre and everyone else who supported me throughout this journey.

Creative Steps may have come to an end, but this is only the beginning of my creative career. I'm excited to see where the next chapter takes me.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

📸 Below are some of my favourite moments from my Creative Steps journey. I hope you enjoy looking through them as much as I enjoyed living them.