A new project in Barrow is asking 11 to 13-year-olds to get involved so they can develop new skills in digital technologies and creativity. The Reporting the Storm project, led by Cumbria Development Education Centre (CDEC), is running a series of creative workshops through November for young people to give them the opportunity to talk and explore what the past six or seven months have been like for them, with the aim of using these experiences to create news report ready podcasts, audios and videos. If you are interested in taking part, please email the project organiser at [email protected]
Along the way, the teenagers will develop their own communication, team work, storytelling, editing and planning skills. They will have the chance to create storyboards, learn about organising themselves, as well as unpack and process thoughts and feelings to build their resilience and personal management skills.
Janine Adams from Furness Multicultural Community Forum noted, “Furness Multicultural Community Forum is excited for our young people to be taking part in a project that gives them a voice in what has been a difficult year for everyone. Young people have had much of their ordinary lives taken from them during 2020 and often with little to no prior communication.”
She adds, “It is vital that we take the time to listen and understand the impact this has had on them if we are to know the best way in which to support them in the future. The way in which the project is delivered is fun and exciting and creates opportunities to learn a wide variety of tech skills.”
Gabi Lipska, who is running the project on behalf of CDEC is excited that, “the outcome of the workshops will be memories, stories and experiences that these young people have shared with their friends and community members. They will have also worked towards achieving their Arts Award Explore, which is a recognised education scheme. Those willing to share their work further will be invited to contribute to an interactive online exhibition in 2021 as part of a bigger project on the themes of community resilience and integration called Discovered Stories Shared Communities run by CDEC. There are so many reasons to get involved, so if you know of any 11 to 13-year-olds who would relish this opportunity, pass it on or sign them up’.
The first workshop is being run on 4 November, which will be a 1-hour online induction to the project tools, platforms and requirements. This is followed by sessions on 7, 14, 21 and 28 November 11am to 3pm. Where allowed, face-to-face sessions will take place at 22 A Duke Street, LA14 1HH and online/virtual sessions when required will take place using a secure zoom link.
The project is run by CDEC with partners Furness Multicultural Community Forum, Creative Communities, and Buzz Bury Learning and Creativity, and is funded by Bubble Up programme of Curious Minds.
