about community routes

Community Routes is an exciting new FREE programme packed with workshops, mentorship and a residency dedicated to equip the next generation of young creative professionals in the West Midlands with the skills and support that they need to thrive in the Creative Industries, across five key areas - Graphic Design, Music Technology, Event Production, Film, Vocal Performance.

Unlock your creative future now.

what to expect

Residency
Develop your skills in an intensive weeklong, bootcamp-style Residency with experienced facilitators

Workshops & Mentorship
Participate in workshops and get paired with specialist mentors to master skills in areas such as leadership, producing, management, performance and budgeting

Showcase & Networking
Showcase your work, and network with the public, potential employers and the wider Creative Industries in an event to celebrate you and your skills

Applications are open

Following the success of our pilot year, Community Routes, will offer 50 spaces for young creative professionals in the West Midlands, 18 - 25* with the opportunity to develop their creative & professional skills, beginning with a Residency in August, swiftly followed by masterclasses, assigned industry mentors and a chance to showcase work & network with the wider Creative Industries.

Creative camps

  • Music Technology: Take your sound to the next level. Whether you’re into production, engineering, or live performance, this camp will sharpen your skills in recording, mixing, and mastering. Learn from professionals and craft tracks that stand out.

  • Graphic Design: Explore the world of design. Learn how to develop concepts, work from briefs and create professional-level visuals. Whether it's branding, illustration, or digital design, this camp will help you build an eye-catching portfolio.

  • Event Production: Create unforgettable experiences. Get hands-on with planning, organising, and running live events. From mastering setups to understanding project management and creative direction, you’ll gain the know-how to bring events to life.

  • Film: Capture your vision on screen. From concept to final cut, you’ll experience the filmmaking process firsthand. Learn the ins and outs of directing, cinematography, editing, and casting, and build a portfolio that showcases your unique storytelling style.

  • Vocal Performance: Own the stage. Whether you're a singer, rapper, or spoken word artist, this camp will help you master vocal techniques, stage presence, and artistic expression. Collaborate with artists, record in a studio, and gain the confidence to perform at your best.

Important Dates

  • Induction: Friday 15th August

  • Residency: Monday 18th - Friday 22nd August

  • Networking Event: Saturday 23rd August

Requirements

  • Must be available for the dates outlined above

  • *Be aged between 18 - 25 (Applicants between the ages of 18 and 25 will be prioritised. However, we welcome exceptional applications from individuals outside this range, specifically those between 16 and 30)

  • Must want to work in the Creative Industries

  • Must be based in Birmingham or in the surrounding areas of the West Midlands

If you would prefer to apply via video please contact info@punch-records.co.uk, with a video of no longer than 5 minutes, answering each of these questions in the application form above

If you require additional support to complete the application please contact info@punch-records.co.uk or call Punch HQ on 0121 794 0244 between 10pm - 5pm on a weekday.

Applications close on Monday 30th June, Midday

Further reading about Community Routes

Facilitators & mentors

  • Nat is a London-based audio engineer known for her precision, creativity, and collaborative spirit. She brings a unique perspective to every project—whether it’s Drill, R&B, or gospel choir sessions.

    Her technical skillset spans vocal tracking, production, and mixing, with a focus on creating a relaxed and inspiring environment in the studio. Proficient in Pro Tools and Logic Pro, Nat has worked with a range of artists including Juls, Mira May, JAYO, Odeal, Masego, and Ghetts.

    Passionate about opening doors for the next generation of creatives, Nat is dedicated to sharing her industry knowledge and empowering young artists to find their voice through sound.

  • Reece Hayden is a Producer, Studio Engineer, DJ & the owner of Bay Ten Studios, A multi-award winning production house.

    His main focus is producing for artists, beatmaking, engineering and mixing songs from scratch to distribution.With over 10 years industry experience, Reece has worked with everyone from grassroots musicians to signed artists and major labels such as Sony.

    Producing and Engineering songs that have generated millions of streams globally, Industry standard production and workflow are at the heart of his work.

    Artists worked with : Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Garry Sandhu, Connie Talbot, Miss Lafamilia , Pa Salieu, Full Flava

    Event organiser, Head Promoter at Hockley Social Club, Artum and Digbeth Dining Club and Managing Sum Cellar and Brum Tropicana.

  • Ellis Miles is a Birmingham-based queer graphic artist and designer, with over half a decade’s worth of industry experience - varying from branding, magazine publication, mural design, illustration, festival marketing and prop making for TV and film. They began their career in 2019 as a full-time in-house designer for several local LGBTQIA+ venues, which led to designing material for large scale festival events across the city. In 2022 they took the leap into freelance - tackling the world of self-employment - which gave them the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and build a national network of clients. The next stage of their career is to continue making props and set designing for televised productions, and to develop their illustration portfolio.

  • Luke is a graphic designer (& occasional lecturer), originally from Nottinghamshire and now, via Falmouth, proudly flying the flag for the West Midlands, where he & his wife Tash live. With a passion for craft, nourished by pop culture, his practise focuses on creating compelling identity & editorial work for brands, agencies and charities. As co-director of Birmingham Design, the organisation responsible for the Birmingham Design Festival & Gather, he spends much of his time championing the creative community. He is very into kindness, fun and wearing shorts.

  • Renz is a highly experienced and results-driven event specialist with over 11 years of expertise in planning, coordinating and executing a diverse portfolio of experiential and live events. Currently, she leads the full production lifecycle for global brands, ensuring seamless delivery from concept through to on-site execution and post-event evaluation.

    Renz has managed major activations for clients across music, entertainment, sport and culture, including Listening Parties, the UEFA Women’s Euros 2022 Victory Event in Trafalgar Square, The Queen’s Memorial (Operation London Bridge) and immersive premieres for Netflix, Amazon and SkyTV.

    Known for her calm, organised and solutions-focused approach, Renz thrives in high-pressure environments where adaptability, creative thinking and attention to detail are critical. She brings a deep understanding of what it takes to deliver meaningful, brand-aligned experiences that resonate with audiences.

  • Daniel Brown is a dynamic and creative event manager, producer, programmer, and project manager with over a decade of experience delivering large-scale events across commercial, subsidised, and charitable sectors. With a passion for championing inclusivity and innovation in live experiences, they have built a diverse and celebrated portfolio — from curating grassroots community events to producing shows for internationally acclaimed artists.

    Recognised as one of IQ Magazine’s Top 25 Queer Live Music Pioneers in 2021 and one of Eventbrite’s Top 25 UK Promoters Under 25 in 2018, they bring a future-facing vision to every project. Their outstanding contribution to the LGBTQ+ community was honoured in 2020 with an award from Midlands Zone, the UK’s largest regional LGBTQ+ publication.

    Their artist collaborations include global names like Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, Clean Bandit, Years & Years, Honey Dijon, MNEK, Becky Hill, Ashnikko, Stefflon Don, Kim Petras, Bree Runway, Rico Nasty , Ashnikko and Rudimental, as well as trailblazing underground and queer talent such as Horse Meat Disco, Octo Octa, Shygirl, and TAHLIAH.

    On the brand and institutional side, they have worked with or built strong relationships with leading names such as Live Nation, Redbull, Amazon Prime, Smirnoff, Gay Times, IQ Magazine, Arts Council Global Radio, and Ellesse, alongside numerous festivals and cultural organisations including Birmingham Pride, Hospitality, Kala, Made Festival, Commonwealth Games and Fierce Festival.

    Renowned for being passionate, resourceful, and reflective, they thrive both independently and in team environments — bringing exceptional interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and creative flair to every stage of event delivery.

  • JordzVisualz is an international visual creative with a passion for capturing powerful stories through film, motion, and branded content. With a background in directing, filming, and editing high-impact videos for major clients, including Boots, the Commonwealth Games, Nandos and global campaigns like the Queen’s Baton Relay, Jordan brings a sharp eye and grounded storytelling approach to every project. JordzVisualz has worked with the likes of Giggs, Bugzy Malone, Zayn Malik, Popcaan, Meeks Manny and many more musical artists.

    From documentary-style features screened at IMAX to fast-turnaround international social content, JordzVisualz is known for producing sleek, emotionally resonant work that connects with diverse audiences. Currently expanding his motion graphics portfolio, Jordan blends design with narrative to craft content that’s not just seen, but felt.

  •  Tenisha White is an award winning Actor, Producer and Director with over 8 years of working in film and creative industries. BAFTA CREW member 2021/22,  Tenisha has produced and worked on a variety of high end, commercial and independent projects including cinematically released films and BBC narrative content . Tenisha’s exceptional attention to detail and organisation skills have kept her in constant demand throughout the media profession, not just as a practitioner but also as a guest speaker and trainer, frequently requested by high end media outlets to deliver masterclasses in film production.

    Through the launch of her own production company 'NEASH FILMS', Tenisha has written, produced and starred in a number of productions, showcasing her first love of acting in a number of roles ranging from comedy to hard hitting drama.  All of Tenisha’s main work has gone on to festival recognition, BBC screenings, and international audiences.

  • "A voice that stops you in your tracks" - BBC Radio 1

    Hailing from Leicester, UK, Morgan Munroe is one of the most exciting voices in contemporary R&B.

    Recently returning from her U.S. debut at SXSW in Texas, this award winning powerhouse continues to push boundaries, building on milestones like a BBC Radio Track of the Week, a feature on Ghetts' latest album, and recognition from Vogue Italia, Mahalia, and DJ Ace. Her music has reached over 37K monthly listeners on Spotify, with placements on the FIFA 2020 soundtrack and support from leading tastemakers.

    As a MOBO Unsung Class of 2025 artist, Morgan Munroe is proving why she’s one to watch - on stage, on record, and beyond.

  • With a catalogue full of underground classics, C4 is widely regarded as one of the most talented and versatile artists to emerge from the UK. 

    Blending grime, garage, and gospel influences, C4 delivers raw energy and sharp lyricism - balanced effortlessly with the smooth hooks and melodic flair expected from an R&B singer.

    His unique sound and consistent output have earned him collaborations with some of the biggest names in British music, including So Solid Crew, Wiley, Boy Better Know, Lady Leshurr, Tinchy Stryder and many more.

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