This was the first Webbed IT had heard about the project and we were impressed by the vision presented by Andy Barker (Spectrum Chair).

The creation of a sector focused group which can - amongst other things - pull together business support, workspace and offer valuable networking opportunities will no doubt be a huge benefit to those who want to make a living from their creative talents, but couple that with initiatives to uncover and nurture unrealised talent, and you have a winning combination.

For all this vision is already close to becoming a reality - thanks to the hard work of the current groups dedicated members - it needs a strong buy-in from creatives within the borough. Only with their full support can the project reach its potential so it can begin helping individuals reach their's.

We of course offer whatever support we can and will post developments here.

Spectrum is the creative hub of South Tyneside. It is a group run by the local creative community – people who passionately believe in encouraging creative talent.

We are placing creativity at the centre of the local economy and at the heart of the community, so that every person has the opportunity to realise their creative potential.

Our aims are to:

• Improve creative skills, especially amongst the young
• Raise creative and cultural participation, across the entire community
• Use creativity to engage disadvantaged groups
• Increase the number of creative businesses in the borough
• Increase the impact creative enterprise has on the local economy
• Establish a centre/s for creative activity