Knowle West Media Centre’s The Factory has successfully been awarded nearly £10k of cash from the West of England Combined Authority, led by Metro Mayor Dan Norris, to create a new online learning portal to help more local creative people cut through skills barriers.
The Mayor was shown The Factory’s state-of-the-art laser cutters that can be used to cut out intricate designs, while speaking to local people about their innovative ideas and how they are using the space to develop skills, test new products and connect with others. Thanks to the grant people using the machines will soon be able to get an online induction to all the equipment.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “I want to shine a beam of light on this fantastic innovation space improving Bristolians’ skills. Covid has been tough for everyone but I’ve heard how successful the centre’s online events have been during the period – especially the tutorial on how to make your own facemask. It is so important that we learn some of the positive lessons from the last 18 months about what we can do in the digital space. It is great to meet a friendly community of creative people who have exciting ideas and are learning the skills they need to get their projects off the ground.”
Co-founder of Knowle West Media Centre and Director of The Factory Penny Evans said: “This funding will make a huge difference to The Factory enabling us to test and develop an online learning portal. Giving opportunity, confidence and autonomy to our Factory community to use new pieces of equipment in their own time and make their ideas real.”
