We’re always looking to the future at Temple Quarter and we love hearing about businesses in the area that are just as passionate about building the best future for Bristol as we are. boomsatsuma is just one of those companies so we wanted to find out more about their business, plans coming down the tracks and why they chose to base themselves at Temple Quarter.
Tell us a bit about the business?
boomsatsuma is an organisation set up to fuel the next creative generation. Over the last five years it has gained a reputation as one of the most innovative providers in the South West, delivering the highest quality education, arts and creative opportunities for children and young people. Since then, it has delivered projects to thousands of children and young people and designed a bespoke education programme of Creative and Digital media, Professional Acting, Film and TV, Games, VR and VFX, Sports Media Production, and, most recently, Stage and Screen Production Arts and Dance Theatre. These innovative post-16 courses are offered in more than ten centres across the region, including Engine Shed, The Bottle Yard Studios and Ashton Gate.
As well as our core offer of post-16 education, we also design and implement educational projects that reflect our creative expertise, using poetry, film, street art and VR as tools to engage and empower young people in the region. Furthermore, our production company has not only gained a reputation for producing high quality commercial work but also for supporting organisations to build filmmaking projects that engage with the communities and young people they serve.
Describe the business in 3 words.
Creative, engaging and developmental.
How long has the business been going?
Since 2011.
Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, working with boomsatsuma.
Why did you decide to set the business up?
The company was born out of a need for social change. Boom wanted to democratise opportunities for young people by offering visibility of the creative industries and by building structured pathways into the sector. Directors Stuart Wood and Mark Curtis wanted to move away from the one-size-fits-all model of education to offer all young people equality of opportunity, regardless of background.
Could you give an example of the work you do and the people you work with?
We took 15 young people from one of the most deprived wards in Bristol to speak at the Youth Summit in Copenhagen as part of the European Green Capital Handover. The group, who were at high risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) before starting our course, flourished. Eighty percent of them went on to university and stayed there.
We pride ourselves on our partnership work and have worked with a range of people such as the Bottle Yard Studios, Ashton Gate Stadium, Engine Shed, Into Film, Bristol Old Vic, Bristol City Council and Upfest. We also played a crucial part in the bid to bring Channel 4 to Bristol.
How many people are there in your business?
30 +
What are your plans for the future of the business?
Boom is moving into Higher Education and research. Our aim is to develop and improve the creative, high-tech and digital supply chain.
As we grow, we also want to partner with a number of organisations in Bristol Temple Quarter and from across the city. Our learners could benefit from collaborating with partners on creative projects that’ll feed their experience and portfolios. In turn, organisations benefit from engaging with the innovative diversity of young people in the city.
Why have you chosen to work in Bristol Temple Quarter?
It’s a central location accessible to people from all corners of the city. We feel it’s important to be embedded in the creative, digital and high tech hub. We also see it as paramount that the young people we work with are exposed to opportunities and partnerships with creative and digital organisations.
For young people to progress into careers in these sectors, they need visibility of pathways, roles and workplaces.
What do you want to see happening in Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone or around Temple Meads in the near future?
Collaboration, where it feeds social and educational needs of the city.
Also some more food outlets with support for entry level food vendors or small businesses.
What advice would you give to a business starting out in Temple Quarter?
Say hello and collaborate as much as possible!
If you want to find out more about boomsatusuma or get in touch you can email hello@boomsatsuma.com, find them online at boomsatsuma.com and follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @boomsatsuma.
