One of the most memorable moments of STEM Week at Bolton Impact Trust - Youth Challenge came when students watched a straight piece of glass bend in a flame, sparking both surprise and curiosity.

That demonstration came from Cath and Tony Spink, co-owners of Neon Creations, who introduced students to a business that sits at the crossroads of manufacturing and the creative industries — designing and making custom neon signs, and even running neon-making workshops.

Q&A with Cath Spink
Can you tell us a bit about your role and the industry you work in?
I’m the co-owner of Neon Creations. We make custom neon signs and also provide neon sign-making workshops. Whilst technically part of manufacturing, we also see ourselves firmly in the creative industry.

What path did you take to be in that role?
It wasn’t a conscious career path — it just happened! I met Tony, my husband and co-owner, who has been in the neon sign industry since he was 18/19. One day, we decided to set up the business.
Tony’s path was more defined: he left school at 16, worked in painting and decorating, then tried sign vinyls before seeing an advert for a trainee glass bender at a big sign company in London. He’s been a glass bender ever since.

What activity did you lead with the young people as part of STEM Week?
We gave a talk about neon signs, including their history and the science behind them, and then did a demonstration of neon glass bending. A few of the students even had the chance to try bending glass themselves.

Do you have a favourite moment from the day?
Watching the students’ faces when Tony bent a straight piece of glass in the flame — that look of amazement was priceless. I also loved that some students asked lots of questions.

What made you decide to volunteer for STEM Week?
We thought it would be something the students had never seen before, and it was a chance to show that there are unusual businesses out there that don’t always fit the standard career categories.

What impact do you hope your involvement had on the young people?
We hope it inspired them and provided something educational too — showing that careers can combine science and creativity in unexpected ways.

How much time have you given?
Including preparing the demos, setting up, and running the session, around six hours each.

Has volunteering had any unexpected benefits for you?
Not yet, but we really enjoyed it and found it very rewarding to give something back to the community.

Why do you think it’s important for employers to get involved in schools?
It gives young people insight into different types of businesses, and it creates space for them to ask questions about industries they may never have considered.

What would you say to other businesses considering getting involved in initiatives like this?
Give it a go! Giving up a relatively small amount of your time could make a huge difference to a young person and help shape their future.

A Huge Thank You
A massive thank you to Cath and Tony Spink from Neon Creations for bringing science, creativity, and craftsmanship together in such a memorable way.

What’s Next? Opportunities for Employers to Get Involved
We’re now planning the next school year of activities, and we’d love to welcome more employers on board. Whether you’ve volunteered before or this would be your first time, your industry story could be the spark that shapes a young person’s career.

Upcoming opportunities in 2025/26 include:

• Explore Your Future – Careers Carousel

Wednesday 19 November 2025, 9am – 1pm
We are looking for 12 employers/businesses to showcase their industry and run mock interviews

• Prep For Success – Mock Interviews

Wednesday 21 January 2026, 9am – 1pm
We are looking for a volunteer to run a preparation session around what to expect and how to prepare for

interviews

Wednesday 28 January 2026, 9am – 1pm
We are looking for 10 volunteers to run 15-minute mock interviews

• STEM in Action Week

The week of 22 – 26 June 2026
We are looking for 5 employers from STEM industries to showcase their sector, plus 5 employers/businesses to run mock interviews

If you’d like to get involved, please contact Pam Molyneux, Volunteer Special Enterprise Advisor - [email protected] We’d love to hear from you.

Building Futures Together
Neon Creations is proof that not all careers fit neatly into boxes. Some combine art, science, and skilled craftsmanship in ways students may never have imagined. Whether your business is traditional, high-tech, or wonderfully unusual, sharing your story could inspire the next generation to think differently about their future.