Creative Pathways: A First Look at Boomsatsuma’s Supported Internship Pilot

Boomsatsuma and Bristol City Council are paving the way for young people to access creative careers. A recent site visit kicked off a supported internship programme welcoming 10 interns without EHCPs this September.

Boomsatsuma initial site visit — Alt text: Paul, Simon, Richard and Mark outside Boomsatsuma's site in millennium square.

On Tuesday 19 August, we joined Bristol City Council for a site visit to Boomsatsuma — a creative education provider with inspiring hubs across Bristol. Known for its courses in film, photography, game design, and more, Boomsatsuma blends education with real-world creative practice, helping young people build careers in the arts and digital industries.

This visit, with Paul Gaunt and Simon Bayliss from Bristol City Council, offered an early look at Boomsatsuma’s new supported internship programme — part of the national pilot for young people with SEND but without an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Mark and Richard from Boomsatsuma shared their innovative plans, showing how the programme is designed to reflect the realities of creative work.

Launching on 16 September, the programme will welcome up to 10 interns, identified from Boomsatsuma’s further education cohort in collaboration with staff who recognised those at risk of not being in education, employment or training (NEET). Young people were invited to learn about the opportunity and decide whether it felt right for them.

Boomsatsuma’s approach is workplace focused. Interns are referred to as trainees to highlight progression and will be treated as staff, complete with lanyards, email addresses, and pro-rata holiday. They’ll spend four days a week in placement with two days covering professional development, supported by a job coach. All learning will take place in the workplace, reinforcing the shift from education to employment.

For local authorities and creative employers considering supported internships, this is a powerful example of what’s possible. In the creative industries, where freelance contracts are often short and apprenticeships can be logistically difficult, supported internships offer a flexible and impactful alternative. Trainees will gain experience through real projects, helping them build portfolios, and can work with Boomsatsuma following their internship as a freelancer, gaining them a credit and unlocking freelance opportunities.

This pilot is exploring more than non-EHCP supported internships, it’s also paving the way for more young people with additional needs to enter the creative industry. With plans for student-led ventures, mentor networks, and content creation, Boomsatsuma is building a model that helps young people find their value and shape their future.