If you're like me and often find it difficult to organise your thoughts then Lara is the perfect person to get in touch with. I had absolutely no clue how to approach the DYCP application process. It's certainly harder than it seems. With Lara's help it almost felt too easy. She's a very attentive listener and a master of language. I don't know how but she managed to make sense of my ramblings and distill them into a very comprehensive application. What she did in tour time together might have taken me two years. She's honestly the best.

Phodiso Dintwe

I reached out to Lara after struggling over an NLPG application idea for a year. I have my own support worker but applying to the arts council, digesting all the reading material and knowing the appropriate formats has always been challenging as a neurodiverse person. Being working class with a chronic illness also limited my time and I took the plunge to ask for help after seeing Lara’s profile on Creative Lives in Progress. 

After my initial call with Lara I knew she was the one to go with! She understood the difficulties i’d been having and saw my vision for the project. Working together through the budget and timeline was a particular eye opening experience - despite managing projects before I’d never paid myself fairly or put aside enough time, factoring in the fact that illness and neurodivergence impacts my time too. It was so great to be seen and have someone to back me up against my own imposter syndrome. 

The whole experience was the easiest i’ve ever found applying for a grant. Lara removed all the stress, broke down what each question was asking clearly, and pointed out how my project actually ticked more boxes than I initially thought.

It was amazing to have someone see my vision and break it down in a way that was manageable for me and clear for Arts Council. 

I really recommend Lara and how to work with her again in the future!

Lu Williams (Grrl Zine Fair)

Lara is truly brilliant to work with, she is patient, clear, compassionate, and efficient. Applying for DYCP felt like a minefield to me, but Lara made the process so accessible and feel 100% achievable. Already looking forward to working with Lara again soon and looking forward to recommending her to others, who will undoubtedly benefit from her magic.

Grace Lister

I had no idea how to begin with my Arts Council application, or even if my idea was coherent enough to put forward. Lara not only explained the process to me (along with the right language to use, how to lay out a budget, and other hugely helpful tips) but she also gave me confidence in my project—taking it from a germ of an idea to a fully-fledged initiative that I can move forward with. Applying is not as simple as it sounds and it helped so much to have someone who knows their stuff guide me through. I’d definitely recommend Lara to anyone wanting to apply for funding.

Alanna Duffield

Lara was a real pleasure to work with. I find these kinds of applications extremely challenging but Lara has devised a simple form that helps you distill your idea down to its core, and how you can execute it effectively should you be awarded funding. During each session we worked on refining and improving the submission to make it as strong as possible. She is extremely knowledgeable and has a wide understanding of the arts. I can’t recommend her enough.

Will C

Lara was an amazing mentor for the DYCP application. She was very helpful in helping me articulate my ideas efficiently and eloquently in a way I would not have been able to do myself. She made herself available whenever I had any questions and went above and beyond to help me in any way she could. I felt like she really cared about my project and had a great level of involvement without being at all heavy-handed or altering my ideas.

Lipley and Parker Design

Lara was a dream to work with. She is a great listener and a trustworthy sounding board. In the space of a couple of sessions, she was able to see clearly through my jumble of ideas and visions for the project and helped me pull out my intentions into a succinct application. Her in-depth knowledge of the requirements of the application process was invaluable and I look forward to working with her in the future.

Jess Mulvey

I am so happy I had the opportunity to write my DYCP application with Lara’s guidance. I came to our first online meeting with a lot of ‘stream-of-consciousness writing and notes. But, conditioned by years of frustrating experiences, I felt fearful that structuring it all into relevant texts which stayed within the DYCP’s word limits would involve a huge amount of time and plenty of anxious doubting. Lara supported me through the whole process and helped me get past my anxieties.

Carly R

I would have given up with the whole process if Lara had not provided her calming reassurance and encouragement. The NLPG application is daunting. Her sessions provided the structure I needed to complete the application to a tight deadline, she made me concentrate on specific areas between sessions which helped break down the enormity of the task. Having someone with Lara’s knowledge and experience to read through the final application is invaluable, she picked up on something I had randomly added in one section and not another!

Olivia Atkinson

Working with Lara on a National Lottery Project Grant was a really useful experience. As someone who has been diagnosed with ADHD and generally has difficulties with writing it was great to work with someone who is so brilliant in formulating what I wanted to say into structured, coherent bits of copy. Lara also supported our application in researching community organisations to potentially connect with as part of the project as well as suggesting artists to connect with. I look forward to working together again!

Green Lens Studio

Lara’s help was instrumental to my application. Faced with an application my mind froze and my body went into flight mode but by breaking the process down and with guidance throughout the process, Lara helped me create my first funding application which I’m so proud to have accomplished. Whatever the outcome of the application, I now know exactly what path my creative career needs to follow. Lara was kind, insightful and thorough in the whole process. I highly recommend using her support.

James Boswell

A fountain of knowledge at every step of the way. Lara’s extensive understanding of the process and criteria, enthusiasm for my project, and general calmness turned a daunting DYCP application into something simple and straightforward. I would heavily recommend working with Lara - I definitely will try to in the future!

Ryan Loftus

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Lara on my Arts Council funding application. Lara’s excellent communication skills, enthusiasm, subject expertise and patience have made a process which I would normally associate with major anxiety, a smooth and pleasant experience. She has ensured that I felt comfortable sharing my thoughts and have provided me with a clear guidance regarding all aspects of the application process, making it more manageable. Lara took her time to understand myself, my artistic practice and the scope of the project we’ve been working on. I have felt seen and supported throughout. When working together, there was a real sense of creative flow, which I hope to share again with Lara in the future.

Kalina Pulit

Lara has helped us tremendously with not only the content and detail in our Arts Council applications but giving us confidence in the concepts and mission behind our work. She has a unique ability to motivate with a very gentle push that has given us some of the boosts we have needed when knee-deep in writing! She also uses her extensive network to provide introductions to collaborators and partners who have helped bolster our applications and provide a mutually beneficial exchange for everyone involved. We know these introductions will be beneficial far beyond the grant application. Lara’s communication is always extremely clear, timely and reliable and we really see her as a huge support to driving our creative work forward.

Kinda Studios

Having tried to apply for funding many times and giving up, this was the first time I have had the confidence to actually see it through to the end. Lara was incredibly collaborative and supportive in helping me to compose and present my ideas in a clear and comprehensive way. She is incredibly knowledgeable of the process and helped me to edit down my waffle into a really precise and strong application.

Elle Flows

I have never had help or support before on funding applications and therefore have many times given up or failed to produce the right type of successful application. My dyslexia is particularly pronounced with stressful formal writing so it was with great trepidation I agreed to let Lara guide me with the R&D application. But with her endless patience and positive attitude and careful explanations it was actually pretty painless and at times even creative and dare I say enjoyable.

Melanie Thompson

Lara supported me throughout my funding application for the Arts Council’s DYCP grant. Being dyslexic, Lara helped me to clarify my ideas and hugely strengthen my application overall. She worked with me, listening to my thoughts, and was patient with me whilst discussing all the different aspects of the application process. She was more than helpful in any concern I had and I am so happy I decided to go forward with her as my access support, it was lovely working with her.

Chloe Henson

Working with the new Project Grant criteria and application for 2022, I was nervous as my project relied solely on external funding. The sessions with Lara acted as a sounding board and were very reassuring and helpful in fine-tuning my application and helping to navigate the often confusing and vague language. Her enthusiasm and praise for the project itself have been highly motivating moving forward.

Felix Choong

After many failed attempts to access funding, I’d all but given up on it as an option! Working with Lara turned a normally overwhelming and stressful process into a smooth, manageable, and achievable one. Her knowledge and enthusiasm calm the nerves and makes the whole process actually enjoyable! Thanks again!

Femi Idowu-Read

Lara has been an incredible help to me through my Art’s Council application. From when I tried to start the process on my own but felt overwhelmed by the application process, to proudly submitting an application I was proud of, Lara was a calm and encouraging presence throughout. I found the financial planning and organising side of things, particularly challenging. Lara was able to talk me through what I needed to do step by step and clarify the type of things I needed to take into account. She also was incredibly helpful at editing and streamlining what I wrote. I would highly recommend working with Lara and hope to work with her again on any future applications.

Lonan Jenkins

I have always found applications to be intimidating and stressful, affecting how I write my responses. However, working with Lara on my DYCP application filled me with confidence and helped me to clarify and simplify what I wanted to say. Lara gave me advice on time planning, budgets, acquiring additional supportive material and how to formulate my answers to get maximum impact and information across. It has been one of the most helpful and educational experiences since I graduated 6 years ago. Lara’s support was uplifting and made the experience of applying for DYCP enjoyable rather than stressful. I look forward to working with her again in the future!

Jeanne Bliss Robertson

Lara was an absolute pleasure to work with. Lara was always punctual and communicated well throughout, making the whole process smooth. I had to delay my submission date twice due to other commitments, and Lara was always very flexible and understanding. Something I didn't expect was her sense of empathy and encouragement, when I got partners confirmed, to the trickier times when I was struggling with the bid. Lara's access support has truly unlocked something within my practice, enabling me to have the support that I have needed for years, and therefore pushing my work to places I could only have imagined, by doing it alone. Thank you again, and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Cat Scott

The assistance and guidance Lara provided while collaborating on my DYCP grant application were invaluable. As someone who struggles with structuring my ideas to fit the required format, her expertise ensured clarity and adherence to relevant guidelines. She played a crucial role in refining my application and outlining my objectives for the development period, making them realistically attainable. Her counsel on budget and structure was accurate. Our brainstorming sessions were fun and productive. Collaborating with her was a pleasure. I highly recommend her services and would work with her again without hesitation.

Gabrielle Motola

Lara was incredibly professional in her online video interactions with me.  She has good knowledge of what is needed in answering the funding application answers and can successfully 'write live' whilst simultaneously communicating.  I am happy to be working with Lara again on a larger application to secure funds for a touring show.

Lisa Watts

Lara has been a fantastic support. I couldn’t have gone through this tricky process of writing and submitting my DYCP application without her skills and experience. Lara offers such a talented, professional, and vital service for those with disabilities.

Leah Stone

Lara helped me with my DYCP application during a really busy time for her and at short notice! She was really friendly, responsive, and encouraging. She articulated what I wanted to say in a format suitable for the application.

I would 100% recommend working with Lara – my interaction was brief but I can tell she has a wealth of experience and lots to offer creatives.

Grace Atlee

Lara was an incredible support when applying for the DYCP grant. Her approach was calm, clear and patient. She spent time explaining the application process, which I really appreciated. Lara was also very flexible with our meetings and worked around when it was best for me whilst I was looking after my baby on maternity leave. 

Gemma Pearce