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³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Elevate aims to progress the careers of mid-level TV production talent whose disability may have limited their progression so far, offering six to 12 month placements within production companies along with tailored training, coaching and/or mentoring and support for the company. We fund a substantial part of the salary and support the process of reasonable adjustments needed within the placement company.

The initiative is talent-led, so we get to know the candidates’ skills, experience and goals, and look at how we can help reduce the barriers to find the right placement match for them.

From the last round of Elevate over 80% of the candidates have stayed in their elevated role and have continued to progress their careers across the industry. We are proud to have welcome back two researchers who had given up on the industry, support a key talent move from factual to scripted comedy, encouraged a production coordinator to move into an editorial role and supported a director in factual to move to drama on a long running series.

We have arranged placements on productions including Strictly Come Dancing, Great British Menu, The Wheel, Holby City, Eating with my Ex, Ready Steady Cook, The Repair Shop, The Rap Game UK and Two Doors Down.

Get to know some of our recent candidates below:

Hannah Rice

"I started my career in television in October 2020 as a casting researcher on a primetime quiz show, after over eight years of trying to get my ‘wheel in the door’ as a disabled person.

Whilst there I applied for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Elevate and with their help doors were opened for me to secure continued contracts on primetime shows with major broadcasters, both in and out of the scheme.

Through the scheme, I worked with independent production companies on Ready Steady Cook, Micheal Macyntyre’s The Wheel and Eating With My Ex. These placements allowed me to experience location, studio floor and the business of a production office, giving me a rounded experience of the industry and allowing me to form lasting professional connections. I had access to specialist assistive equipment and also continue to have access to supportive mentors with invaluable industry advice.

Since graduating I have become an assistant producer, continuing to work on primetime shows for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and other broadcasters. My career shows no sign of slowing down and I continue to be thankful to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Elevate team for being supportive and understanding, helping me to successfully navigate the industry with a disability."

Georgina Bobb

"When I noticed the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Elevate scheme was advertising and offering support for people like me I had no option but to apply. I have 15 years of experience working within television and media with over 50 broadcast credits within production, and also have bipolar disorder.

Knowing that the scheme provided additional training and a work buddy really enticed me to apply.

As part of my placement I was given first-class production management training on all aspects of production by various top industry leaders which I absolutely loved, and was supported so much by my work buddy and the Elevate project manager.

My placement was on The Repair Shop as a production coordinator. Since then I have secured a junior production manager role on another production. I want to thank everyone at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Elevate for being so inclusive and supportive of my career. I definitely recommend you apply."

Sam Williams

"I was getting short contracts as a development researcher/researcher but I found myself struggling in these roles and causing burnout. I found it hard to disclose my disability and therefore was feeling so exhausted.

This is why finding Elevate has been so important to me. Before I came across the scheme I was all set to leave TV and look for something else, I’d resigned myself to the fact that I just wasn’t good enough anymore. Through Elevate I’m currently an assistant producer on Great British Menu. It’s been such an amazing experience in a supportive space where I can develop new and existing skills and gain the confidence needed to progress my career in TV.

My dream is to work my way up to a series exec or a commissioner and Elevate has given me that step to make it feel possible."