THE OFFSHOOT FOUNDATION
Inspiring a New Generation of Film Makers
The Offshoot Foundation is a registered charity based in Suffolk, delivering film education and training to disadvantaged and young people across the UK.
ABOUT US
We are the Next Generation of Film Makers.
Based in Sudbury, Suffolk, The Offshoot Foundation is a registered charity and has consistently produced professional filmmaking workshops and projects for young and disadvantaged young people across the whole UK since 2008. These projects help develop confidence, leadership and teamwork skills through film making and creative media.
We aim to empower, enthuse and inspire young people, to develop life skills and raise aspirations by using creative media to reach their full potential - and we're always happy to see former students return as mentors, passing on their experiences to new participants.
We've already had plenty of success stories, having helped many young people into further education, university and employment in the film and TV industries, with many of our ex-students also coming back for work experience and paid work with us. Over 30 of our ex-students now work professionally in the Film and Television industry
To keep up to date with us and what we do, follow our socials and sign up to our newsletter by clicking our LinkTree.
Christmas Film Making Workshop
Join us for this year's exciting Christmas film making workshop in Thetford, Brandon, and Newmarket!
Unleash your creativity and learn the art of film making from industry professionals. This workshop is perfect for anyone interested in exploring the world of cinema. Come along to create movie trailers, music videos, stop motion animations, and more!
Click HERE to sign up to Newmarket, Beccles and Brandon, or HERE to sign up to Thetford.
Each day run 10:00 - 14:00 with lunch and snacks provided. All three workshops run on the 21st and 22nd of December, with Beccles on the 28th and 29th of December (09:00 - 13:00 on the 29th) and Thetford on the 2nd and 3rd of January, too! The workshop is free for those on Free School Meals, otherwise it is £30 per day.
SEND and Young Carers Workshops
Continuing from our Summer term workshops, we are running our workshops with Activities Unlimited for SEND students and Young Carers!
Tuesday 17:00 - 19:00 - SEND students (11-18-years-old)
Wednesday 17:00 - 19:00 Young Carers (9-18-years-old)
Come along to learn how to create your own films and work with professional equipment!
THE YOUNG CARER WORKSHOP
IS NOW TAKING PLACE AT:
St John's Community Centre
St John's Close
Mildenhall
IP28 7NX
Sign up HERE or email us at theoffshootfoundation@gmail.com for more information!
Thetford Million Hours Project
We are running a long-term filmmaking project in Thetford starting this month for children aged 12-16!
Lots of different activities, including a gaming bus, cooking and football!
Come along to the sign up sessions to guarantee your place - only 20 available! Sign ups open on the 14th November at 16:30 at Abbey Neighbourhood Centre, and 19:00 and the Charles Burrell Centre! Free pizza available on the 14th!
If you have any questions, please do get in touch with us at theoffshootfoundation@gmail.com
Top 10 Skills of 2025
Click the button below to have a look at our analysis on the World Economic Forum's Top 10 Skills of 2025.
These divergent and creative skills are what the WEF say will dominate the top 10 needed skills for employers.
At The Offshoot Foundation, we thrive on helping every child improve on ALL of these skills, click the 'Read More' button below to have a look through our thoughts.
OUR GOALS AND WHO WE HELP
Turning Interest Into Action
The Offshoot Foundation works with disadvantaged and young people using creative media to:
Develop social and technical skills
Build confidence
Teach teamwork, communication and leadership skills
Employ people who what already completed our courses to mentor new participants
Encourage young mentors into specialist or general further education and into work.
We help:
Any school age children
Separate youth organisations
Schools
Young people living in disadvantaged areas, youth organisations and schools.
NEET young people.
Young people with disabilities.
Pupil Referral Units, working with disengaged young people.
Adults with disabilities.
Long-term unemployed.
Young offenders.
Young people in care.
Young carers.
WHO WE WORK WITH
First Light
Into Film
The National Lottery
Suffolk County Council
Essex County Council
Enfield Council
Babergh/Mid Suffolk District Council
Neaco
Dedham Vale AONB
KNOW, Saudi Arabia
Thomas Gainsborough School, Great Cornard
Volunteering Matters, Ipswich
Stagecoach
Befriending Scheme, Sudbury
Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds
Essex Young Carers
Suffolk Young Carers
Sudbury Museum Trust
The Apex - Bury St Edmunds
The Quay Theatre - Sudbury
Gorseland Primary School, Ipswich
Ormiston Sudbury Academy, Sudbury
Thurston Academy, Bury St Edmunds
Haverhill Arts Centre
Kernos Councilling
Keystone Trust, Thetford
Community Action Suffolk
Chantry Library, Ipswich
Gainsborough Library, Ipswich
Thurston Library, Bury St Edmunds
Gainsborough's House, Sudbury
Little Hall, Lavenham
Devonshire Infant School
West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds
WORKSHOP FILMS
PAST PROJECTS
The Offshoot Foundation takes on a wide range of work, all with the aim of helping young and disadvantaged people develop skills and confidence, and to express themselves through film making.
From film workshops to helping young people address stigma and finding their future career path, we're committed to enriching people's lives through film.
See the links below for examples of projects we have worked on and films we have made.
SUCCESS STORIES
Through work with The Offshoot Foundation and Offshoot Films, we've provided over 300 young people with work experience.
"Many young people who have had work experience with myself still keep in touch. Lots have gone on to work in the film and TV industries, but there many more who have found other careers. Never a week goes by without a former student asking me for a reference. I'm proud to think that in some way I've helped a young person take one of those first few steps on the career ladder."
- Paul Press (Charity Founder)
There have been many successes along the way - sometimes small ones, sometimes life changing ones. Here are two of those stories.
DAN'S STORY
Dan first worked with Paul when in Year 9 as part of our young film makers group. He quickly became a talented editor and Paul employed him to work alongside him on projects, building up Dan’s showreel and CV.
Dan attended West Suffolk College and was the first of Paul’s students to attend Ravensbourne University. Dan worked with Paul as often as he could and also found work experience at many production companies in London. He left University with a 2:1 degree and continues to work with The Offshoot Foundation, as well as Russia Today and The Clare Balding Show for BT Sport.
“Before I worked alongside Paul, I only dreamt of working in TV. I had no idea of how to achieve this. It was Paul who advised, coached and mentored me through school, college and university. He showed faith in my talent and ability."
— Dan Newman, BT Sport Floormanager
ASHLEY'S STORY
Ashley was fourteen when he first went along to one of our workshops. He quickly became engrossed in media and would attend every workshop he could. He was disaffected at school and left with no qualifications. Despite this, Ashley was welcomed to West Suffolk College on the Media Production course because of his commitment to working with Offshoot during his spare time in the preceding two years.
Ashley continued to grow in confidence and ability at college and continued to develop his film showreel over the next two years. With a CV demonstrating a wealth of experience, he applied to Ravensbourne University in 2013, but was concerned about his lack of formal qualifications. Once the university had seen the amount of work that Ashley had completed whilst working with Offshoot and at college, they were happy to offer him an unconditional place.
“Meeting and working with you has changed my life. I never thought I would amount to much and was told that by many people. You showed me that with commitment and hard work, I can achieve. Thank you for showing faith in me and giving me a focus in life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you."
— Ashley
"I have been working with Paul and his filmmaking team for many years and have seen the power of film making in education. Students simply thrive when given the challenge of writing, filming, producing, editing and promoting their own films. They work as young leaders and develop their practical, creative and technical skills. Most importantly, they feel proud of their work and see the tangible, successful outcomes. Young people’s confidence grows. And, they have fun!"
— Nicola Shelley - Suffolk School Leader
BEHIND THE SCENES
GALLERY
OUR PARTNERS
Making A Difference
The Offshoot Foundation works with a number of different organisations, groups and companies to better accomplish our goals. This page features those partners who we've worked with extensively on various projects, and how we've been able to better work with young and disadvantaged people with their help
OFFSHOOT FILMS
The Offshoot Foundation started as the community group side of Offshoot Films, with a focus on engaging young and disadvantaged people through creative media.
Since becoming an independent, registered charity in 2015, The Offshoot Foundation has been able to further these goals by engaging in a wider range of projects with the continued support of Offshoot Films.
For more information, visit offshoot-films.co.uk and its Vimeo channel.
VIDENDUM PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS
Videndum Production Solutions design, manufacture and distribute premium branded and technically advanced products and solutions for broadcasters, film and video production companies, independent content creators and enterprises. Products include video heads, tripods, lights, batteries, prompters and speciality camera systems and are sold under brands including OConnor, Sachtler, Litepanels, Anton Bauer, Autocue, Autoscript, Quasar Science and Vinten.
