Business is bloomin'

A scholarship was critical to Katie Mahon’s decision to study drama at Leeds. Further support has helped her turn her passion into a theatre company highlighting social issues impacting the inner city.

I didn’t know anyone who had been to university,” says Katie (Theatre and Performance 2018, MA 2019) reflecting on her decision to enrol in the Reach for Excellence programme while studying for her A-Levels.

Reach for Excellence supports young people across Yorkshire, as they prepare to make decisions about their future: “It was amazing. I met other people like me and developed lots of skills that would help me when I finally got into Leeds.”

Supported by a scholarship, Katie began her studies in 2014 and soon began developing her ideas for a theatre company which would support young people struggling to access opportunities due to social and educational disadvantages.

Her determination to pursue this passion brought her to Spark, the University’s start-up service. With the support of their experts, including alumni volunteers, Katie developed the Bloomin’ Buds concept – winning a series of competitions along the way, including the Sir Peter Thompson Social Enterprise Award.

Since graduating, Katie has worked to embed the business into the cultural life of her home city. Building their narratives around direct quotes from local people, Bloomin’ Buds reflects the community it serves. “We make plays about the issues faced by working class people in Bradford. We hold drama workshops and run singing sessions for adults. It’s all about supporting the communities around where I grew up.”

This remarkable group has won a series of accolades, including an award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Culture from local newspaper the Telegraph and Argus. Being granted ‘Regularly Funded Organisation Status’ from Bradford City Council, brings guaranteed income to sustain the group’s work, while a £1,000 award from the Santander Universities Covid -19 Emergency Fund helped Bloomin’ Buds stay afloat during the pandemic.

“When Covid-19 first hit it was a very distressing time, I was pregnant and running my own company. I had to act quickly in order to sustain my company and think about how we were going to navigate the crisis. This funding gave me the time to plan for the short-term future more effectively.”

While coping with the demands of being a new mum, Katie has also been working as part of the Bradford 2025 bid to win UK City of Culture status. And she has high hopes for Bloomin’ Buds and the impact it can make in the years ahead.

“I want to scale it up. I want to make great theatre of course, but – just like Spark helped me – I also see it as a platform to help people to find their way in the arts world.”

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