8 Years of DICE CIC: Reflection, Growth & Remaining Focused

As DICE CIC marks eight years, founders, Aaliyah & Kianu Glasgow reflect on where it all began, what they’ve learned along the way, & what comes next.

Dipped In Creative Engagement (DICE CIC) was born from lived experience. At 21, after navigating exclusion from school and receiving support from coaches who helped reshape our pathways, we found ourselves reflecting on how transformative that early guidance had been. We had progressed into employment and new opportunities - but our peers were still facing barriers.

Whilst working as Employment Advisors, we could clearly see the gap. Young people in their community were struggling to access employment and training, not because they lacked talent, but because systems were not built with them in mind. DICE CIC began as a response to that gap - a way to take the skills, knowledge and insight they had gained and bring it back into their community.

DICE began with a simple intention: 

To take the skills and knowledge they had gained and bring it back into their community - but differently, with; A youth-led approach, A space where young people didn’t have to compromise who they were to access support, A space that centred voice, choice and real pathways. 

Over eight years, there have been many milestones. But two moments stand out. The first was the transition from having a passion project to a Community Interest Company.

Between 2019 and 2024, DICE evolved from something that felt like a “hobby and interest” into a defined service - structured, strategic and intentional.

The second defining moment was the DICE Archive event and recent rebrand. The archive created space to pause, reflect and document the journey - not to move on from it, but to honour it. The rebrand sharpened the vision and clarified the strategy heading toward 2026.

“Because we started as young people and we’re still adulting on the journey, Sometimes we forget how much we’ve done. The archive reminded us.”

In the early stages, the focus was simply on helping young people. There was little understanding of business models, funding structures or entrepreneurship. Learning how to build systems, structure a CIC and think long-term required intentional growth.

The journey also highlighted the importance of boundaries and wellbeing. Starting DICE CIC at a young age and working closely with young people meant learning to support others while practising self-preservation. Recognising that sustainability applies not only to the organisation, but also to its leaders, became an important lesson.

Ultimately, these challenges reinforced confidence, optimism, and the understanding that not knowing everything is part of the process.

When asked what makes them most proud, the response was simple: “The work speaks for itself.” Over eight years, we have delivered mentoring initiatives and creative employability pathways, including the Big Sis Mentoring Programme, Get Into Events Producing, Bringing Us Back Music Showcase, and The Unity In The Community Project.

What stands out most is the ability to sustain and grow this impact with minimal resources. As a small team - often balancing full-time roles alongside community work - DICE CIC has remained consistent.

For us, impact is not just about numbers. It is about meaningful engagement, innovation, and creating spaces where young people feel seen, heard and empowered.

Our 2025 Rebrand Celebration

Our leadership has evolved alongside the organisation. Confidence has grown through overcoming barriers and finding solutions, conversations that once felt daunting are now approached with clarity and purpose. Each challenge navigated has strengthened belief - not only in the organisation, but in ourselves.

“Instead of being scared, seeing what we’ve built has shown us you can do anything.” Perhaps most significantly, DICE CIC has allowed us to lead authentically. 

In contrast to professional spaces, where we’ve felt the need to mask parts of ourselves. We created a space to practise what we preach - showing up as our full selves while maintaining professionalism.

If one word defines the next phase of DICE CIC, it is focus - remaining aligned to purpose while building sustainably for the future.

A significant development underway is a new work readiness course designed for young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET. The programme will support entry into employment within the events and creative sector, bridging practical skills with real opportunity.

Eight years on, DICE CIC remains youth-led, community-rooted and purpose-driven. The journey has required resilience, collaboration, openness to growth and reflection.

The message is clear: start small, stay intentional and remain focused. The work continues.

For more watch our founders’ vision and journey here.

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