Rejection, Resilience & the Importance of Quiet Wins

Rejection isn’t a great feeling — and when it comes to community funding, it can feel relentless at times.

We’ve had our fair share of “no’s” recently. Each application represents hours of work, careful planning, and a real desire to create more opportunities for young people. So when it doesn’t come through, it’s easy to question things.

But stepping back for a moment helps to see a different picture emerging.

Not long ago, we successfully secured and delivered a significant heritage project — £153,682 in funding that became the fully realised programme, Through Our Eyes. That didn’t happen by chance. It took time, persistence, learning, discussing, refining, and yes — a few challenges along the way too.

And we know we’re not alone in this. Other charities and community interest companies face exactly the same challenges. Funding isn’t easy to secure — it’s competitive, detailed, and constantly evolving. It really pushes you to sharpen your ideas, meet strict criteria, and communicate your impact clearly. It’s not for the faint-hearted. That's why it was so brilliant to meet Centrepieces in January and put them in touch with a Head of Art so children could take part in their community Bird on a Wire Project recently.

Our brains are naturally wired to focus on setbacks. In Psychology, this is often described as a “negativity bias,” where negative experiences tend to stand out more strongly than positive ones. Because of that, rejection can feel heavier and more defining than it actually is, unless we consciously balance the picture.

So as it turns out it is actually essential to recognise what is also going right.

Taking time to acknowledge progress isn’t just a nice idea; it turns out it's really important. It helps build resilience, reinforces purpose, and keeps us grounded in reality. By recognising the wins — big, small and quiet ones — we create a more accurate view of the journey, rather than one shaped only by setbacks or rejection.

And so much is going right!

We’re continuing to work closely with young people in the community, including creative sessions with Central Library, giving them space to explore storytelling, film, and creativity.

We’ve got the incredible opportunity to work with young people on location at West Horsey — a place many will recognise as a filming location for the beloved TV show Ghosts — that's sure to bring a real sense of excitement and inspiration to new workshop content.

And there’s more to look forward to. Next month, we’re beginning an exciting new mural project at our studio, working with industry professional Jay Clarke — our patron, who has supported our work since the very beginning in 2021. Jay has worked with world-renowned names including Aardman Animations (who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year), Walt Disney, Universal Studios, and Wes Anderson. Jay has collaborated with us on a number of projects over the years, including delivering an inspiring animation masterclass over Zoom five years ago, as the world began to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkru4Tu6C6s

It’s easy to let rejection take centre stage, but it’s only one part of the story. Ed Sheeran famously faced countless setbacks before breaking through — resilience is about continuing, adapting, and showing up again. The “no’s” don’t define the journey; they help shape it for sure.

So yes, we’ll keep applying. We’ll keep refining. And we’ll keep believing in the value of what we do.

Because when you look at the bigger picture — the projects delivered, the partnerships built, the young people inspired — it’s clear that progress isn’t always loud or immediate, but it is definitely happening.

And that’s more than enough reason to keep going.

It’s also something we teach the young people we work with: that big ideas, new skills, and creative confidence do not appear fully formed. They need time, space, and freedom; for us to try, fail, and try again before they really become something. And honestly, we’re no different, and it's important the kids see that too.

 "What looks like rejection is often just progress in disguise.”