Soho Mentorship has arrived at our House in Barcelona
With the launch of the programme in the city, we’ll be connecting mentees with mentors to help them forge a path in the creative industries
Monday 4 November 2024 By Chloe Lawrance
We know that the creative industries can be difficult to break into – particularly for those from lower socioeconomic, underrepresented and marginalised backgrounds. It’s something we’re passionate about changing, using our platform at Soho House to help young people break through some of those barriers.
Soho Futures, which we created back in 2018, is part of our commitment to this. Through social impact programmes such as Soho Fellowship and Soho Mentorship, we have been working to support the next generation of creatives to build connections, confidence and real-life opportunities within the industries. To date, we’ve supported more than 2,500 young people through these creative access programmes.
Soho Mentorship pairs Soho House members with young, aspiring creatives from lower socioeconomic, underrepresented and marginalised groups to help them nurture their passion, strengthen their skills, and build their confidence in pursuing their chosen creative field over a 16-week period. This year marks the sixth year of the mentorship programme, which we now run in 21 cities globally – including Stockholm, which launched earlier this month, and the newly launched programme at Soho House Barcelona. This is run in partnership with Routes In (@routes_in), a non-profit foundation focused on diversifying the creative industry by connecting those who have made it with those who are on their way.
Here, we caught up with some of the new mentors and mentees based at our House in Barcelona to discover why they wanted to become a part of the Soho Mentorship programme.
Soho Futures, which we created back in 2018, is part of our commitment to this. Through social impact programmes such as Soho Fellowship and Soho Mentorship, we have been working to support the next generation of creatives to build connections, confidence and real-life opportunities within the industries. To date, we’ve supported more than 2,500 young people through these creative access programmes.
Soho Mentorship pairs Soho House members with young, aspiring creatives from lower socioeconomic, underrepresented and marginalised groups to help them nurture their passion, strengthen their skills, and build their confidence in pursuing their chosen creative field over a 16-week period. This year marks the sixth year of the mentorship programme, which we now run in 21 cities globally – including Stockholm, which launched earlier this month, and the newly launched programme at Soho House Barcelona. This is run in partnership with Routes In (@routes_in), a non-profit foundation focused on diversifying the creative industry by connecting those who have made it with those who are on their way.
Here, we caught up with some of the new mentors and mentees based at our House in Barcelona to discover why they wanted to become a part of the Soho Mentorship programme.
Meet the mentees
Ibi Imrich, interested in marketing, acting and community support‘I recently moved to Barcelona from Amsterdam, and have been finding the professional landscape here a little challenging. I’m looking for a role in marketing or event planning, while also working on a passion project aimed at connecting queer women and non-binary people. So far, the Soho Mentorship programme has introduced me to some amazing individuals who make me feel seen and heard; they’ve inspired me.’
Laura Braun, interested in creative direction and performance coaching in dance and music
‘After months of feeling uncertain about how to start my professional path as a creative, I applied to the Soho Mentorship programme to stop just talking about my goals and actually start bringing my vision to life. My mentor has encouraged me to think bigger than I would ever have allowed myself before; for the first time, I feel comfortable expressing all my ideas and plans while being taken seriously.’
Andrea Catalina Martínez, interested in fashion and the arts
‘As an artist, I signed up to the programme as it offers visibility to creative voices and spotlights the many possibilities that exist in this industry. The experience has been enriching, especially getting to know so many other people in such an inspiring environment. I’m excited for what is to come.’
Axelle Laurianne, interested in musical artistry and videography
‘As a singer and songwriter, I was curious to see how becoming a mentee could help me build confidence in my craft and find more opportunities. I have been loving it so far. The team has been very helpful and I love the bond starting to form between the mentees. I’ve been able to explain my vision to my mentor, who has been so understanding. I’m looking forward to seeing where the process takes us next.’
‘I became a mentor to share my stories, knowledge and experience from working in the film industry and now running a creative agency. There’s already a sense of community – we’ve been connecting at events around the House, and it’s been fantastic to share ideas and insights with everyone involved. Mentoring has actually pushed me to get my thoughts and experience organised. With my mentee, we can both see how much progress we’ve made already. I feel like this journey is going to be really fun.’
‘As a singer and songwriter, I was curious to see how becoming a mentee could help me build confidence in my craft and find more opportunities. I have been loving it so far. The team has been very helpful and I love the bond starting to form between the mentees. I’ve been able to explain my vision to my mentor, who has been so understanding. I’m looking forward to seeing where the process takes us next.’
Meet the mentors
Ada Mazurek, creative agency founder‘I became a mentor to share my stories, knowledge and experience from working in the film industry and now running a creative agency. There’s already a sense of community – we’ve been connecting at events around the House, and it’s been fantastic to share ideas and insights with everyone involved. Mentoring has actually pushed me to get my thoughts and experience organised. With my mentee, we can both see how much progress we’ve made already. I feel like this journey is going to be really fun.’
Vladimir Briceño Prince, head of international markets at younity
‘Since founding my first business 17 years ago, empowering individuals to achieve their goals has been extremely important; connecting people with their purpose drives me forward. My mentee’s passion, motivation, talent and drive really resonates with me, and I’m so pleased to have been connected with her.’
Umit Sural, multidisciplinary artist and founder of Oowne
‘I joined the mentorship programme as a way to give back and support others in their personal and professional growth. So far, the experience has been exceptionally rewarding – building a connection with my mentee, witnessing their progress, and helping them navigate challenges has been deeply fulfilling. Mentoring has also been a valuable learning experience for me, prompting reflection on my own path and enabling me to grow alongside my mentee.’
Explore Soho House Barcelona and apply for membership
‘Since founding my first business 17 years ago, empowering individuals to achieve their goals has been extremely important; connecting people with their purpose drives me forward. My mentee’s passion, motivation, talent and drive really resonates with me, and I’m so pleased to have been connected with her.’
Umit Sural, multidisciplinary artist and founder of Oowne
‘I joined the mentorship programme as a way to give back and support others in their personal and professional growth. So far, the experience has been exceptionally rewarding – building a connection with my mentee, witnessing their progress, and helping them navigate challenges has been deeply fulfilling. Mentoring has also been a valuable learning experience for me, prompting reflection on my own path and enabling me to grow alongside my mentee.’
Explore Soho House Barcelona and apply for membership
