'LOVE IN LOCKDOWN' EPISODE 16: 'FOR HIRE HUB'

                                                         

HUGE HIT FOR FREELANCERS AND SELF EMPLOYED

It’s no secret that the current pandemic has initiated dramatic and sudden shifts to all lives, despite the differences we may face when it comes down to personal circumstances. Throughout both the pandemic as a whole and amidst our third lockdown, our work lives have had to be considered and thousands have been majorly affected. Some businesses may have thrived, lots have struggled. Many employees have been furloughed under the ‘Furlough Scheme’ and others have shifted to ‘working from home’. One particular circle of occupations that have taken a huge hit are those who come under the definition of either ‘Self Employed’ or a ‘Freelancer.’ Those who run their own business, carry out multiple jobs for various organisations, and perhaps aren’t contracted to one particular company or employer long term.

With events unable to go forward, people unable to meet, and Entertainment and Arts Industry hugely impacted, many that within these fields have struggled to keep afloat during this time. Whilst many have had to turn other demands to sustain some form of income, it’s not just income and routine that have suffered, but hope to. When theatres are closing, companies are shutting down and adequate funding is proving difficult to get hold of, frustration can build and hope can dissipate as a consequence. For many, as a result, it’s been hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

But with the vaccine underway, Boris Johnson’s plan in place and events and theatres having dates to work towards for reopening, hope has thankfully started to be restored. Twenty four year old entrepreneur from Surrey has created his own business over Lockdown. Ben Castle-Gibb is the director and Co-Founder of ‘ForHireHub’, to support those who work as freelancers or are self-employed. A platform to hold onto hope for those working in Events and Entertainment Industries and assisting a kick-start when they eventually reopen and can go ahead.

IN CONVERSATION WITH BEN CASTLE-GIBB

             

‘ForHireHub is a community of Musicians, Performers, Creatives and Event Services all in one place and available to hire. So that we as freelancers can get back to doing what we love as soon as it is safe to do so,’ he shares.

‘The idea came to life, about a year ago when we went into the first lockdown. I've always wanted to do something that dealt with musicians, either being one myself or working with them. But the idea was formed as a result to COVID and the first lockdown. I was feeling pretty lost, and heartbroken at the seeming demise of the entertainment industry. I also miss live events so much, and I thought about how many people who rely on the events/entertainment industry for income. I just wanted to be proactive and find a way for everyone to hit the ground running when things are back up and running,’ he states.

‘The aim is to keep on expanding the community, and grow it to become global. Making it the go-to place for all those looking to plan an event. That would be pretty cool,’ he grins.

                                                      

‘I also created ‘Hub Sessions,’ an extension of the Hub,’ he informs. ‘Hub Sessions was an idea that came after I launched ForHireHub. I wanted to put out some videos on the ForHireHub Instagram page of some of our community members performing. I was lucky enough to be living with James at the time, my working partner for the business. He is a musician to so he did the first session. We then saw the huge potential the sessions could have and how it could run almost as its own thing - keeping with the same ethos of ForHireHub we could use it to help promote some of the best up-and-coming and undiscovered talent. And thus HubSessions was born,’ he reveals.

‘We've had some great feedback - people seem to be loving both ForHireHub and the Hub Sessions. A lot have people have commented on the aesthetics of both and how they have their own clear identities. This was something both James and I worked really hard at to help distinguish between the two things,’ he says.

‘I've learnt that hard work pays off. But also it's a slow burner. My Mum reminds me that Amazon wasn't a booming success overnight. I now completely get what she means,’ he smiles.

‘At the moment we're using Instagram a lot to help expand the ForHireHub community. Reaching out and just letting creatives know we're here and what we do has really helped.  The response has been great so far - I think everyone is just chomping at the minute to get back to it,’ he exclaims.

‘Anyone can get involved- Either by visiting our website www.forhirehub.com or by following us on Instagram @ForHireHub / @HubSessionsUK . People can support us by Following us, Subscribing to our youtube, Saving and sharing our posts. This helps us reach more and more people and helps with our engagement numbers’, he states.

‘I think right now it’s really important to remember that even though everyone is in the same situation we're not all in the same boat. Everyone's struggle and experience is individual. You can't possible know what anyone is experiencing right now. So keep that in mind when you're navigating through day to day life at the moment’.