Side by Side: Creative Minds - Finding Connection in Manchester
On Monday 3 November, we held the very first Side by Side: Creative Minds session at 53Two in Manchester city centre. The space was warm, honest, and full of creative energy. What struck me most was how quickly people opened up.
You can hear more about why I started Side by Side and what this first session meant to me on Instagram.
Creating a space for honesty
One attendee shared a story about disagreements they sometimes have with their partner. Afterwards, they said how powerful it felt to be surrounded by other creatives who “get it”, who understand the challenges and nuances of being a freelance creative in 2025.
That really stuck with me.
As creatives, we don’t always have a space to talk about the reality of what we do. Too often, conversations in our industry start with:
“So… what have you been up to?”
And suddenly, it feels like you’re being measured against someone else, not seen for where you really are or what you might be facing. That night, Side by Side became something different. A room where you didn’t have to perform, justify, or compare. You could just be honest. It felt so good.
People spoke openly about everything from finances and relationships to feeling proud one day and deflated the next. Someone even joked about the tension between having a “normal job” and a creative career, and everyone laughed because they got it. The space was open, friendly, and real.
What we noticed
A few things really stood out:
Regular check-ins matter. Even one honest conversation can shift your outlook or ease pressure.
Perspective helps. We had a mix of creatives, some just starting out, others with years of experience. Hearing each other’s realities brought balance.
Support looks different for everyone. One person asked for advice on auditions. They gave permission for it to be shared, and it turned into an empowering exchange.
These moments reminded me why creative mental health training and peer support matter so much. They aren’t about fixing anything. They’re about connection, real people practising real conversations in a space built on empathy, not competition.
Why this matters
Many people in the creative world face uncertainty, comparison, and burnout. Often in silence. Research from Mind shows that creative freelancers are among the most vulnerable to poor mental health, driven by job insecurity and financial stress. A 2023 Creative UK report found that more than 70% of creative freelancers experience anxiety linked to income instability.
Traditional workplace mental health training rarely reaches this community because our world doesn’t fit into that box.
That’s why I built Side by Side — a creative community that gives space to check in, share, and remember that none of us are alone.
For me, the first session was a reminder that connection doesn’t need structure or agenda. It just needs space. Sometimes the most powerful moments come when we stop performing and start listening.
These sessions sit alongside my wider work at Sonny Side Up, where we deliver Mental Health First Aid training and experiential learning workshops that help people practise real conversations through actor-led learning. Because understanding is one thing. Practising support is where confidence grows.
Join us next time
If you’re a creative in or around Manchester who wants honest connection without competition, you’re welcome.
Come to a Side by Side: Creative Minds session, or share this with someone who might need it. Find out more and sign up.
Every session reminds me why we started this. The courage it takes to show up. The honesty it takes to speak. And the hope that grows when people realise they’re not alone.
Let’s keep building a creative community that listens, supports, and lifts each other up.
Huge thanks to Simon Naylor and the brilliant 53Two team for looking after us so well. And for staying open late on a cold, wet Monday night to support creatives right here in Manchester. It’s a brilliant space if you’re looking to hire a venue that truly gets the creative community. Find out more about 53Two here.
Welcome to the family.