Explore HAC’s New Creative Centre in Upminster

Havering Adult College (HAC) is proud to announce the opening of its brand‑new Creative Centre, located on the 1st floor of Upminster Library. This exciting new space has been designed as a hub for creativity, digital skills, and hands‑on learning — a place where adults of all ages can explore new passions, build confidence, and develop industry‑relevant creative skills.

The Creative Centre marks a major step forward in HAC’s mission to make high‑quality creative education accessible to the whole community. Whether you’re curious about photography, eager to learn video editing, or ready to experiment with digital design, this centre gives you the tools, guidance, and inspiration to get started.

To celebrate the launch, HAC is offering a full programme of free short workshops, all taught by industry professional Lloyd Franklin. These sessions are perfect for beginners and anyone looking to try something new in a friendly, supportive environment.

The April–July 2026 workshops offer a wide range of creative training in photography, filmmaking, and the Adobe Creative Suite. Participants can build core photography skills through sessions on understanding the exposure trinity, planning a video or photo shoot, and creating interview‑style videos. For those looking to develop digital design and editing abilities, the programme also includes beginner‑friendly courses in Premiere Pro, Photoshop, After Effects, and Lightroom, along with practical workshops on designing website mock‑ups in InDesign and creating product adverts for social media.

Havering Adult College will also be launching a new suite of fully accredited Level 1 and Level 2 creative courses this September, giving learners the chance to gain recognised qualifications while developing practical, industry‑relevant skills. These programmes—including Web Design, Graphic Design, Video Production, Floristry and Sugarcraft—offer structured learning, clear progression routes and the added value of nationally accredited certification. Some courses previously offered exclusively online will now be available in person, giving learners more choice in how they study, while others now include a brand‑new Level 2 option for those ready to build on their existing skills. Whether learners are looking to boost confidence, retrain, or take the first steps toward a creative career, these accredited courses provide a strong foundation and meaningful opportunities for future growth.

In celebration of Creativity & Innovation Day (20^th April), HAC is highlighting a range of exciting opportunities across the UK’s creative industries. These programmes, bursaries, and funds can help learners take their skills beyond the classroom and into real creative careers.

Current Opportunities

• Observer Journalism School — Access‑focused journalism training for people facing barriers to the industry. Apply by 26 April.
• Creative Access & Booksellers Association Mentoring Programme 2026 — For aspiring booksellers from underrepresented communities. Apply by 8 May.
• Transmission Roundhouse Podcast Academy — Audio and media development for young creatives. Apply by 11 May.
• DRF David Miller Internship Programme 2026 — Paid publishing‑rights internship with London placement and Frankfurt Book Fair visit. Apply by 22 May.
• BFI Expanded Screen Fund — Up to £150,000 for immersive fiction works. Apply by 3 June.

The new Creative Centre at Upminster Library reflects HAC’s commitment to accessible, high‑quality creative education for the whole community. Whether you’re exploring a new hobby, building a portfolio, or preparing for a creative career, Havering Adult College is here to support your journey.

Ready to unlock your creativity? Visit our course page to explore our creative courses or call us on 01708 434955 to find the right class for you — we can’t wait to welcome you in.