Amy Hill was captured with Katie Morris from Morris & Company, one of the Asystors for Shropshire Youth Support Trust (SYST), who presented her Certificate of Recognition from the charity which supports young people with their business ventures. The Asystors are a group of Shropshire businesses committed to helping young people to kick start their business dreams with guidance and funding.

Amy Hill is the founder of Koru Films, a Shropshire based video production service predominantly aimed at creating video content for the third sector, including not-for-profits, charities and social enterprises, filming from the heart, to help organisations tell their stories.

When asked what inspired her to start Koru Films, Amy recalls her travels in which she volunteered in Zambia, Sri Lanka and Fiji to name a few. “Whilst volunteering abroad, I experienced first-hand difficulties third-sector organisations face in spreading their message. I knew then that I wanted to help.”

Amy originally approached Shropshire Youth Support Trust (SYST) in her early twenties, where she sought help and guidance before starting a full-time video production role. A few years later, she returned to her assigned mentor Vince Craig, Director at Meadowbrae Technical Services, and started working towards her AYSTOR pitch for funding for her own video business ambitions.

For the pitch, Amy worked with Vince to develop a test shoot, hiring equipment to demonstrate the difference between her videography boundaries and future ambitions. The panel were impressed by her expansive planning and visuals, and were delighted to offer her funding to expand her range of equipment that could elevate her work.

Since being granted funding, Amy has worked with a range of clients including Breathworks and Cuan Wildlife Rescue and has just secured two new video projects for charities based in Birmingham and London. She has continued to work with Vince, who supports her in personal development and business acumen and regularly gives back to the SYST, including filming their introduction videos on the website.

Looking to the future, Amy looks to become the ‘go-to’ video production service for all third sector projects. Alongside this, she hopes to start a podcast, inviting guests from the third sector to discuss their marketing barriers and also plans to implement a ‘shooting on your mobile’ course, for those looking to expand their skills in making video content using the tools they already have.

For others looking to start a business, Amy believes that ideas must come from the heart. “You have to know who you are, and understand your values. This will form the core of your business, and only then will you have something unique to you.”

Amy said “I just want to say a big thank you to the AYSTOR programme for all their support and guidance. The programme is such an asset to Shropshire, and is helping young people across the county achieve their business dreams.”

To find out more about Koru Films, please visit https://www.korufilms.co.uk/ or visit their LinkedIn and Instagram pages.