A young person’s postcode or financial circumstances should never determine their future.

The UK Top Influencer Academy CIC provides completely free, hands-on work experience for young people aged 16 to 24 who want to explore careers in events, marketing, PR, social media, photography, videography, hair and makeup, content creation and the wider creative industries.

We are raising £25,000 to help us involve up to 250 students throughout the 2027 UK Top Influencer Awards cycle.

This is not classroom learning. Students gain experience on real projects, work alongside industry professionals, develop practical and transferable skills, build confidence and make connections that could change the direction of their future.

What we achieved in 2026

In 2026, 50 students from two North East colleges helped deliver the UK Top Influencer Awards.

They worked as part of a professional team of more than 100 staff and contractors at an event attended by over 300 guests. The awards were supported by national and local sponsors, hosted by Junior Andre and Jasmine Orr, featured in local and national media, filmed for ITV’s The Princess Diaries and generated millions of social media impressions.

(ITV/Princess Diaries)

For many of the students, this was their first opportunity to work behind the scenes at a major professional event and see that a creative career could genuinely be within reach.

What our students said

The greatest measure of the programme’s impact is what the young people themselves took away from the experience.

“Work experience with UK Top Influencer opened my eyes to see that I could work with celebrity clients and on fashion events.”

Sophie A. Middlesbrough College Student

“The best day night of my life performing at The UK Top Influencer Awards”

Charlotte B. Newcastle College student

"To be able to perform in front of people that I've looked up to my whole life, was a crazy experience to me!"

Olivia D. Newcastle College student.

"Being from the North East, I never imagined I'd be performing for the people I'd been watching on TV only a few months before. I don't think that without UK Top Influencer, we never would have got this opportunity"

Rihanna R. Newcastle College student.

Our ambition for 2027

We want to build on that success and involve up to 250 young people across the full 2027 awards cycle, not only on the night of the event.

Opportunities will include workshops, project-based experience, event preparation and live placements across areas such as:

• Content creation and social media

• Marketing, PR and communications

• Photography and videography

• Hair, makeup and styling

• Event planning and production

• Guest experience and administration

• Live event delivery

• Post-event editing, reporting and evaluation

Alongside practical work experience, we plan to deliver industry masterclasses led by experienced professionals. These sessions will introduce young people to different creative careers, develop practical skills and provide honest insight into how the industry works. Topics may include content creation, photography, videography, social media, marketing, PR, event production, personal branding and working professionally with clients and brands.

The number of young people we can support will depend directly on the funding, partnerships and practical resources we secure.

Why we need your help

Every opportunity is free for the young person taking part, but delivering safe, meaningful and professionally supported placements has significant costs.

Donations will help us fund:

• Industry masterclasses, professional mentoring and skills workshops

• Equipment and creative resources

• Travel support for students

• Workshop and project materials

• Event accreditation and uniforms

• Insurance and safeguarding

• Guest speakers and specialist professionals

• The coordination required to deliver structured placements

We never want a young person’s financial circumstances, location or lack of industry connections to prevent them from accessing an opportunity.

How your donation could help

• £10 could contribute towards workshop materials

• £25 could help with travel to a placement

• £50 could contribute towards accreditation, uniform or equipment

• £100 could help us provide a supported work experience opportunity

Every donation, whatever its size, moves us closer to opening the creative industries to more young people.

About the Academy

UK Top Influencer Academy CIC is a registered Community Interest Company, registration number 16289550. We work with colleges, education partners and experienced industry professionals to provide structured, supervised opportunities with safeguarding and accessibility at their heart.

Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.

By donating or sharing this campaign, you can help a young person gain experience, confidence and proof of what they are capable of.

Please donate today and help us give the next generation of creative talent the opportunity they deserve.