10 awesome alumni projects: What the Escape community is doing
Many of the Escape Alumni are self-employed, working as freelancers, or founders. The pursuit of fulfilling work is hard enough at the best of times, and right now our alumni are working harder than ever to adapt their skills and services in this shifting landscape.
Escape The City has a community of over 1,500 alumni. Each of them has completed an Escape Accelerator Programme to help them find or create work that matters to them and the world. In the uncertain and volatile times we're currently facing, it's inspiring to see our community continue to innovate and launch entrepreneurial projects.
Many of the Escape Alumni are self-employed, working as freelancers, or have founded their own startups. The pursuit of fulfilling work is hard enough at the best of times, and right now our alumni are working harder than ever to adapt their skills and services to support themselves and their customers in this shifting landscape.
1) Bringing adventure to you
The first of our alumni projects involves the showcasing of short adventure films in your home. Freddie Newton is hosted a virtual Adventure Film Festival to raise money for UK food banks and filmmakers. Find out more about the Online Adventure Film Festival here.
2) Documenting connection
Freelance filmmaker and videographer Will Liney helps people to make great content from their own footage. Will's content is unique in its ability to create a genuine connection between creator and viewer - something particularly vital in times like these. Check out Will's work and get in touch with him here.
3) Showcasing sustainable toiletries
300 million miniature toiletries are thrown away every year in the UK. So alumnus Claudia Gwinnutt founded Circla: the first refill service tailored to the tourism and hospitality industry. While travel is on hold, support them via their online store with their range of vegan, plastic-free and cruelty-free miniatures.
4) Stuck indoors? Stay healthy!
Number 4 in our alumni projects collection is Vitamin Buddy: a personal and flexible vitamin subscription service. Make sure you're still getting the necessary vitamins and minerals for good health and a strong immune system with this vegan, gluten-free option. It's also pharmaceutical grade and UK made.
5) The UK’s first rental marketplace for kids
Escape alumnus Charlotte Morley launched The Little Loop in April after noticing how much waste was produced by trying to clothe children. She's after parents with 2-3 year old children to join their pilot clothing-rental scheme. Find out more and register here.
6) Making positivity habitual
Federica Trimarchi founded The Mood Club to encourage people to maintain a positive mindset through developing mood-boosting habits. Shop online for The Mood Club's activity cards and discover online classes to help take care of your wellbeing.
7) Pop-up online yoga
In these difficult times, yoga can help us to stay connected, maintain our emotional and physical wellbeing, and provide the space we need to process and ground ourselves in these new circumstances. Join Laura Amenta, founder of Palms Up Club, in her pop-up online yoga studio.
8) A notable source of happiness
When you can't be with your loved ones in person, send them a Project Happy Note to brighten their day. Project Happy Note delivers three personalised gifts over a three-month period, using a series of thoughtfully curated notes and gifts. Visit the website here.
9) Kicking sugar to the curb
When the sugar cravings hit and the snack drawer is empty, reach for a stick of Killa Vanilla: a natural vanilla scent that helps to reduce your sugar cravings. Developed by Startup Accelerator alumnus Dom Chandler and his co-founder Chris. Buy them here.
10) Mind and body care
Rounding off our alumni projects list is Ucci Pilates, founded by Claudia Colucci. Pilates is dedicated to the development of physical and mental health by helping you to build a strong core and engage the entire body in your workout. Check the schedule and register here.
In the midst of this strange period, we've compiled a few free resources which could help you:
- If you've just been made redundant, or are facing the prospect, head to our free Redundancy Support Programme.
- Want to get a 'key worker' job in one of the nation's essential industries? Head here.
- Interested in how to start a business, become a freelancer or commence a career you love? Explore our online classes here!