We’ve got some fantastic news to share from MIC HQ! Our founder, Vic Elizabeth Turnbull, has been selected to join the new Greater Manchester Freelancer Network, bringing her experience of podcasting and freelance creative work to conversations about the region’s creative industries.
Vic is one of more than 20 freelance members recruited from across Greater Manchester. The network brings together people working in film, TV, music, theatre, visual arts, design, podcasting and other creative disciplines.
Members have been recruited to reflect a broad mix of boroughs, communities, lived experiences and career stages, with particular attention to people who may face barriers to participation or whose voices are under-represented in formal decision-making.
Bringing Podcasting To The Table
Freelancers are a huge part of the podcast and audio industries. From producers and sound engineers to editors and storytellers, freelance talent helps make an enormous amount of the audio we listen to every day.
Vic’s involvement brings a podcasting perspective to the Greater Manchester Freelancer Network, alongside experience of working with charities, public sector organisations and other freelance creatives.
The network advises Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and works with the Creative Consortium to support the Greater Manchester Creative Industries Sector Development Plan. Members share their experiences and recommendations on issues including fair pay, commissioning, skills and business support.
Real Freelance Experience
If you know MIC’s backstory, you’ll know this is close to our hearts.
Vic spent nearly a decade working in the charity sector, alongside making radio and getting involved in creative and audio projects.
Freelancing has been a big part of MIC media from the beginning. Vic knows first-hand what goes into finding clients, building relationships and making a living from creative work.
Through MIC, she’s also worked with organisations across the UK and brought other freelancers into podcast projects, giving her experience of how creative work is commissioned and where things could be fairer.
As Vic puts it,
I’m really pleased that Greater Manchester is putting freelancers around the table and, crucially, paying them for their time and expertise.
At MIC media, we work with other freelancers on our projects, so I’m particularly interested in fair commissioning, better access to opportunities and making freelance careers feel possible for people who don’t already have the networks, knowledge or financial safety net to get started.
What’s Next?
The network meets three times a year, with additional working groups and consultation sessions where needed.
Vic is looking forward to learning from fellow members, sharing her experience of the podcast and audio industries and contributing to conversations about fairer opportunities for Greater Manchester’s creative freelancers.
As Vic says, good things happen when good eggs get together.
Find out more about the Greater Manchester Freelancer Network and its members on the GMCA website here.
