Young people have been exploring their creative potential as part of an innovative media project funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews.
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC provided a grant worth £10k to Candy Arts Community Interest Company (CIC) to run creative media activities from the African Caribbean Centre in Highfields, Leicester.
The project, which runs until January 2025, aims to empower young people aged between 15 and 17 to unleash their creative talents in a safe and encouraging environment. This is designed to prevent their involvement or future involvement in anti-social behaviour (ASB) and provide them with a sense of community and belonging.
Students learn essential life skills including project management, teamwork and digital media proficiency and engage in pre-production activities such as developing stories and scripts for future film projects.
Up to 30 young people are currently involved in the project.
Alongside new skill development, the project provides support for GCSE and A-Level Media students, helping the young people organise and prepare for their revision, studies and coursework assignments.
As part of the sessions, constructive engagement and mentoring has been provided which has led to a notable decrease in anti-social behaviour (ASB) incidents among those attending.
Project leaders are collaborating with local community workers to enable changes in ASB to be measured.
Mr Matthews said: “I’m really impressed with the success of this project so far. Clearly, engaging these young people in activities they are interested in, such as film production, is having the desired impact of reducing involvement in ASB and this is a hugely positive outcome.
“I believe more meaningful provision is needed in our communities to give young people the space to try out new experiences, learn skills and find out both what interests them and what they are good at. Young people are much easier to reach when their attention is consumed by something they enjoy, and I will be looking closely at the outcomes of this project to see how it can be replicated elsewhere.
“If we can reduce ASB and encourage young people to become involved in their community, we will build safer and more prosperous communities.”
Project manager Robert Queensborough, from Candy Arts CIC, added: “We're grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews for supporting this project, which empowers the young people we have worked with to explore their creativity while learning valuable skills.
“The positive changes we’ve seen, including reduced anti-social behaviour, highlight the impact of creative engagement, and we’re excited to continue fostering their growth and sense of community.”
Ends
Media Enquiries:
Sallie Blair
Better Times
Telephone 01283 821012
Mobile 07702 541401
Posted on Wednesday 4th December 2024