Spotlight on Chaniya:
Creative Community Advocate

Nice to meet you, Chaniya! Tell us a little about yourself.

Hi, I completed my degree in graphic design: branding and advertising. I have always loved creative expression, through cooking and baking, printwork, poetry, and art (I'm on a quest to explore them all!). I’m also really passionate about community building and volunteering.

We’ve mostly crossed paths with you through your time with Mayamada. Can you tell us a little bit who they are and what they do and what you’ve done as part of your involvement with them?

Mayamada is a creative storytelling brand at its core but in the 3 years that I’ve had the chance to be part of the team, I’ve learnt and seen its growth as an awesome community that encourages imagination and creativity. I started as a showrunner intern, and moved to working on the marketing for Mayamada and coordination of their events, but recently I’ve gotten the chance to plan content, learn about sales and also facilitate workshops!

You’ve talked to us about the importance of using creative practise to work with young people. Can you elaborate on that?

I think it's so, so, so important to hold space for young people to express themselves creatively. Creative disciplines aren't just technical; they're informed by culture, history, emotion, language, etc. Art imitates life, and art, whatever form that takes, is a really powerful tool to equip young people with to share how they view the world and find positive outlets to engage with each other and their wider community.

Recently, you’ve taken part in two focus groups looking at barriers to employment for young people. Do you want to share anything that really sat with you after those discussions?

It was bittersweet. On one hand, it's comforting to listen to peers who are experiencing similar confusion and uncertainty when it comes to looking for work. But, it's equally, if not more frustrating, knowing that so many of us are fighting the same battle. But I do feel like change is possible and we’re collectively making progress towards that.

You’re a young parent – and from what we can see you’re doing a remarkable job! Can you talk about some of the challenges you’ve faced trying to balance this with everything else, and, for all the other parents out there, any words of wisdom?

Haha thank you! I would say at times I'm tired lol, but it's really rewarding. My biggest challenge was my well-being. It took some time and support to get to a point where I am okay with myself being different and doing things differently after having a baby. Trying to find my way back into doing creative things that I really loved while also treasuring time with my growing lil bubba, and then I realised I can kinda do both?! So now I am starting to enjoy learning and watching my baby grow, but also bringing my baby along on all my creative and life milestones, too! Advice? Be kind, take things a day at a time, and document all the precious little moments, not just of your baby, but of your own growth, too!

We’re really excited to be working with you on the recruitment for the upcoming Mayamada opportunity. What 3 practical steps could employers take to make their recruitment practises get the best out of people?

Yes! It's really exciting to be part of this programme again; it definitely feels full circle to be part of workshops that I would’ve wanted to attend as a teen.

Do your research - The creative industry has shifted quite a lot, with job responsibilities, new terminology and massive cultural shifts to keep up with, employers should be open to learning and receiving new information and responding accordingly.

Consider the ethics - Creativity cannot be bought, creativity cannot be manufactured or mass produced. Creativity is rooted in community, and the community should be representative of everyone! Fair wages and equal opportunity for the win!

Be intentional - If you hire recruitment teams, make sure they KNOW what the industry requires. When writing job descriptions, please (I beg) don't merge 5-7 different roles into one! And talk to us like future colleagues, not numbers. It's okay to get to know us too.

You’re stuck in a lift with someone you admire. Who are they, and what would you ask them?

Chef Dom Taylor for sure! 2-part question - 1) favourite part about opening and running The Good Front Room? 2) Can you teach me how to make the sweet potato sticky toffee pudding, please :)

Is there anything that we haven’t asked that you’d like to speak about?

No, BUT, I would like to say a massive thank you to Nigel, Tazziii, Kaveh, Dominque, the Future Formed Team and Roni for the work that they do to support and enrich young creatives.

Young people - Tap into Future Formed & other organisations, there are so many new communities and projects to support us, and keep trying new things.