25 Jul 2022
We have some very exciting news to share – We are officially a Community Interest Company!
Since our inception in 2006, we have operated as a social enterprise under the name of Inside Job Productions Ltd, but we will now be known as Inside Job Productions CIC.
What is a CIC?
Similar to a social enterprise, a community interest company is a “not for profit business” with primarily social objectives, meaning that it does not operate for private profit. Any profit is generated is used to grow and develop its business which benefits an identified community. At Inside Job Productions, that community is anyone living with a debilitating mental health problem. In practice, this looks different from project to project. Much of our work focuses on education, knowledge and creating community.
Since the start, we have developed and delivered various projects. From The Media House which saw women in prison receive accredited in media training and film production and later on work placements with us in the office, to the Young Dads’ TV project which created a space for young dads to connect with each other and get advice. We have also run film workshops in schools and created other community-based resources for people from marginalised backgrounds. If interested, you can read more about these projects and others in our Social Impact Brochure here.
As a CIC, what is IJP doing?
Today, we are running two inter-connected projects. The first is the Mental Health Media Production Unit managed by Owain. This is a participatory film making project that we deliver in the criminal justice system in HMP Wandsworth. In this, participants learn filmmaking skills and get to produce their own films about relevant mental health and wellbeing issues.
The other project is our Production Trainee Scheme for young people with mental health issues. The trainee joins us for a 6-month contract paid at the London Living Wage and develop their skills during their time with us. Previously, our trainees have worked with us in the office and helped on various productions, but one of our Production Assistants, Kismet, works with our Mindsworth team at HMP Wandsworth.
As a film production company in London, we are constantly working on building new partnerships and developing more social enterprises. To finally have those three letters, CIC, after our name, is an amazing thing. We’re really looking forward to continue producing beautiful films. As well as continuing to reinvest our profits in meaningful social impact projects which change people’s lives for the better.
