Northern Cultural Skills Partnership

A. Unfortunately, we can't help you. Whilst you can register to use our website, you would need to be a full member to be a partner in our trainee programme. Full membership of NCSP is open to those working or aspiring to work in the cultural sector in the north east of England

A. Is there a training element to this activity? If so, you are an NCSP member, and we have funds for this type of activity, you can apply for a bursary. If not, and you are registered with us, you can use the signposting service. Your practice area may have a network that can help. If you are a member, you can submit an enquiry and we may be able to signpost you to support…opportunities occur all the time and we can help keep you in touch.

A. Give us a ring (0191 2333860) or mail enquiries@ncsp.co.uk and we’ll check our database.

A. check on our website to confirm we have a bursary budget for this type of activity. Normally we would treat this as a group application and it would be the group who would be the beneficiary if the application was successful.

A. If you register with NCSP you can use our signposting service (in this case the search might be under ‘writers’). This will give you links to over 40 relevant writer’s sites including those of regional support agencies like New Writing North, and national agencies like the Arden School of Theatre, who offer courses in writing for the stage, or the Script Factory who also offer training). If these aren’t what you’re looking for, become a member, and book a personal one to one professional development planning session with a qualified advisor, or submit your enquiry by email…we will aim to get back to you with 5 working days.

A. From time to time NCSP can fund bursaries for international work and we are always on the look out for sources of such funding. Generally though, our funds can’t be used for this purpose. The best thing is to check it out by contacting us. If we can’t help, it’s just possible we may know of someone who can. We can also do a funder finder for you.

A. You need to be a full member of NCSP and then you can access the resources section of the website. Download the Insurance for Practitioners publication produced by the national professional development network CreativePeop!e (of which we are a member and on the board of Directors). The factsheet has a Frequently Asked Questions section and a list of contacts for useful organisations and insurers. The factsheet was collated from information from members of the CreativePeople network. Alternatively, if you are a NCSP member, you can post a query on the member’s message board.

A. Call us first to see if we have bursary funds. If the answer is yes, and you want to make an application, you will need to be a full member. Normally bursaries can be used to cover up tp 50% (75% if unemployed)of the costs incurred as a result of participating in professional development - for example - the cost of travel, accommodation and meals, and on occasion, materials pertinent to the course.

In most cases, awards for individuals will not exceed £1,000 although exceptions can be made where funds permit and where the activity necessitates. We are not able to fund loss of income.

A. You need to check whether we have funds to support this activity. Email us or give us a ring. If we have, you will need to join NCSP by completing the on-line membership form (it will take about ten minutes). Then you can download the mentoring application form. If you want to talk this over with us first, you can use the member’s enquiry service…submit your enquiry by email and we will aim to get back to you within five working days

A. Business Link can help new businesses in a number of ways (they have a wide range of information for new businesses on their website and their advisors can help you establish your business goals for example. Visit Business Link . Sometimes it’s helpful to think through your ideas before meeting a Business Link Advisor…if you are an NCSP member, you can have a free one to one professional development planning session with us prior to your meeting with Business Link to help you focus.

A. We do not currently have a list of freelance providers (although we are considering developing this resource). However, if you are registered with NCSP, you will have access to the on-line signposting service. This allows you to use a searchable database of providers (predominantly organisations) in the cultural sector in the region and nationally so you may be able to source the people you are looking for yourself. If this doesn’t give you the answers you need, join NCSP and submit an email enquiry. We will aim to respond to your request within five working days.

A.We can help you identify training and development needs (through a one to one session) and we can link you with a creative sector specialist advisor from Business Link to explore finance for these activities.

A. Absolutely. Register with NCSP and you can submit your event yourself (you’ll also be able to access our signposting, newsletters and other services).

A. Funder Finder is a national searchable database with information about over 3,850 UK Charitable Trusts. It is available to licence holders (like NCSP). We can search it on your behalf (you will need to complete the FunderFinder questionnaire in the members area of the website). Alternatively you can make an appointment to call into our office and use it yourself. It provides a response personalised to the information you provide with details of Charitable Trusts that might be worth writing to, how to contact them, and their policy and funding criteria. It also provides links to other useful websites.