Just a Girl – Image by young photographer Rhiannon Allex
Kernow Education Arts Partnership and CYMAZ have succeeded in winning Big Mediabox Contract funding of £40,000 to support disadvantaged young people in Cornwall use media to tell their stories or highlight the issues that are important to them. The project is called ‘Scene and Heard’
Working with young people from Pencalenick Special School in Truro, The House Youth Centre in St Austell, Treviglas Community College in Newquay and Caradon Short Stay School in Liskeard, Scene and Heard uses Media Professionals in radio, comic strip and digital photography to up skill and support the young people to manage and deliver their own photography, podcast and graphic novel projects and help them make sure their voices are heard in their local communities and beyond.
Mediabox is a fund that offers disadvantaged 13-19 year the opportunity to create their own media projects. It enables young people to gain new skills, express themselves and get their voices heard. KEAP and CYMAZ have a long history of working with young people in Cornwall in and out of school through arts and culture and have teamed up to deliver this project which is one of only 8 contracts awarded nationally, with 3 in the South West.
Jade & Chelsea's photography project
After 6 months of hard work, on 15th February 2011, Stuart House in Liskeard came alive with young people and an exhibition of their photography, cartoon and podcasting projects. More than 30 young people and their supporting workers from across Cornwall came together to see their work displayed in an elegant 16th century setting. The celebration event marked the end of the project and was a chance to share the work, ideas and voices of the young people involved. Each participant was successful in winning bursary money to carry out a media project on a topic important to them. From a radio play about autism to photography projects about emotions and teen issues and a book about the eco town in the Clays, all work was produced to a very high standard. Participants were supported by industry professionals to help them develop skills and were able to use bursary money to have their work professionally printed. A teacher involved in supporting young people said this is a ‘terrific project which the students enjoyed greatly’. Another supporting adult at the event said that it was ‘so impressive! Touching, informative and really interesting. Very well done!’ A participant said ‘It’s helped me develop ideas and learn more skills within drawing and media’ while another said ‘It’s taught me to work in teams. It’s brilliant’.
Olivia, Isaac and Jess at the Scene and Heard showcase
The posters, booklets, podcasts and images are going to be distributed to schools, youth and community settings and other relevant agencies across Cornwall to ensure that the voice and excellent work of the participants is far reaching.
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