Freelancers

Creative UK's Freelance Champions

In March 2021 the (then named) Creative Industries Federation announced its new Freelance Champions who will advise and steer the Federation’s approach to advocacy, impact and change. The group represents a diversity of experience, drawn from all parts of the UK, all subsectors and at different stages of their careers.

The purpose of the Champions are to:

• Advocate for the creative freelance community
• Ensure that Creative UK campaigns make every effort to give profile and visibility to the diversity and needs of creative freelancers and entrepreneurs
• Develop ideas for a refreshed set of values for the creative industries, which gives support to all parts of the ecosystem
• Share thoughts on where Creative UK's policy and advocacy efforts are best focused
• Guide and inform an industry consultation on a new approach for working with creative freelancers

In November 2022, Creative UK launched Redesigning Freelancing, the UK's largest freelance survey to improve working conditions and drive industry change. If you are a freelancer, or you employ freelancers, you can compete the survey here.

The Redesigning Freelancing survey is open until 9 January 2023.

We recommend you have a look at the resource pages of the freelance support organisations' websites listed above (please see first tab), which provide a wealth of advice, guidance and support for freelancers.

Some other resources are listed below.

For freelancers

• Freelancer Wellbeing Hub - a library of wellbeing resources to support freelancers, compiled by the Film + TV Charity.
• IPSE webinars - an extensive catalogue of webinars available live and on demand for IPSE members. Topics covered include tax, IR35, late payment, starting out and winning work.
• The Illustrated Freelancers Guide - a practical PDF resource for creative freelancers working in Scotland, created to help freelancers to understand their rights and best practices in avoiding and addressing difficult situations. Produced by Creative Scotland.

For organisations

• 10 ways you can help creative freelancers - an Arts Professional article exploring what organisations can do to help freelancers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. 
• Curtain Call - a platform that connects freelancers and organisations in entertainment. Joining the Pioneer Program allows you unlimited job posts, targeted markerting, and access to a wide network of freelancers working in the sector.
• Working with the Self Employed: A Best Practice Guide for Businesses - a PDF guide for employers, produced by Creative & Cultural Skills.
• Mental Health & Wellbeing, Supporting Freelancers in the workplace - This guidance note is intended for use for businesses and organisations that employ freelance or temporary staff.

• Freelancers in the Creative Industries (May 2021) - insights for policy makers to better understand freelancers in the creative industries. Produced by the Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre.
• The Big Freelancer Report (March 2021) - this research project maps the problems facing the theatre and performing arts freelance workforce following the Covid-19 pandemic and makes practical recommendations for change. Created by an independent group of performing arts freelancers, supported by Freelancers Make Theatre Work and funded by Arts Council England.
• Freelance Practitioner Research Report (March 2021) - this report explores the needs of Northern Irish freelance artists seeking to develop, create and produce small to mid-scale work on an independent basis. Commissioned by Arts Council Northern Ireland and conducted by Annabel Jackson Associates.
• Wales Freelance Survey 2020: Rebalancing and Reimagining (October 2020) - a study into the impact of Covid-19 on freelancers in Wales. Conducted by the Wales Freelance Taskforce (now Cultural Freelancers Wales).
• Creative Freelancers (July 2017) - this report looks at the working life, opportunities and policy concerns of the whole creative freelance workforce. The report's recommendations aim to improve the working lives of this vital but undervalued part of the workforce. Produced by the Creative Industries Federation.
• Theatre Workforce Review (June 2017) - a significant research project into the makeup of the theatre and performing arts workforce and its current and future training needs. Commissioned by SOLT and UK Theatre and produced by Nordicity, working with Alistair Smith of The Stage.