Hi, it’s Francesco. I am too a person, in Folkestone, who makes stuff. I run the directory with Sangmin Cha, master of keeping things running smoothly, and with the generous help of Stephen Foy-Philp.

First off. Thank you.

Maybe someone mentioned the directory and you thought hmm, not a bad idea. Maybe you stumbled here while procrastinating. Maybe you're just nosy curious. Whatever brought you here, I appreciate you taking a moment to learn more about what we do and what need help with.

Everyone's busy and I know that volunteer callouts are everywhere now. So I'll be straight with you about what we're doing and why.

Why a directory

At the cost of sounding like the careers page of a corporate brand, I wanted to start with a bit of backstory.

With the help of a friend, I started the directory in 2024. We took that step because we believe Folkestone's creative community deserves better than to rely social media, WhatsApp groups and running into each other on the high street to connect us.

Artists, designers, and craftspeople are agents of invention who throughout history have (often) attempted to change the dominant conventions. At a time when visions of a dystopian, or at least volatile future are everywhere, but visions of post-capitalism are hard to find, we as creatives ought to stick together and work to shape these visions. Collaborate, not compete, and share resources where appropriate.

The directory is one of those resources.

How the public uses it, is up to them. But the core aim is for it to bring 1) business into the local creative scene and 2) be a tool that encourages local collaboration and peer support.

Since launching the directory in 2024, I've tried to run it solo while keeping my own work afloat. It nearly broke me—and it’s still very challenging. Then in the spring of 2025, Sangmin joined (you might know her from Folkestone Fringe or Open Art Folke) and with her experience and energy, we're properly back. While more motivated, running this initiative and all its moving parts is still largely a one-man-and-a-half-operation.

To make sure we reach our goals we could use some help.

Here's what would be helpful

1. Spreading the word Leafleting, can be done around your schedule.
2. Directory admin Maintaining the database that powers the directory (easier than it sounds) and welcoming new members via email, ~30mins fortnightly
3. Something else If you have a skill or something to offer that you think would be useful, we're all ears

We are an unfunded collective and not a charity (yet) so we can't pay. While I know that makes it harder when everyone's trying to make ends meet, if this project speaks to you and you have some time to share, I'd love to hear from you.

Send me (Francesco) an email at [email protected] with: