Founder member of legendary Bristol band Portishead Geoff Barrow was among top figures from the creative industries to talk candidly about their career paths at an advice day in the city for young people starting out in the field.
The musician and producer, pictured, spoke about his break into the music business, from inauspicious beginnings making tea for respected bands to Portishead fame and founding his own record label.
He told the audience: “When it comes to creativity, there’s a strength down in the South West that you don’t get in London.” And he warned them “not to be ashamed” about not being from the capital.
The Creative Society’s THIS IS IT! event at The Engine Shed combined talks, networking, workshops and discussions aimed at boosting the creative career potential of the area. 
Bristol-based Aardman Animations director Sarah Cox told the audience: “Find what you love doing and let it take you where you want to go.”
And Mike Smith of Virgin EMI Records urged them: “Don’t wait for anyone to hand you the perfect job – get out there and do it yourself.”
The participants, who attended from local organisations including Watershed and Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, presented creative project ideas to the panel.
The Creative Society is an arts employment charity that helps young people into jobs in the creative and cultural industries through a diverse range of projects. The charity has supported more than 1,000 unemployed young people into placements in the arts.
