Project notes
Tuesday, January 7, 2003
What is it: Artreach, a programme by youth advice centre B76, run by Barnardos in Hartlepool.
What is it: Artreach, a programme by youth advice centre B76, run by Barnardos in Hartlepool.Goals: To use art to help young people identify their own interests and needs, with a view to encouraging further training and employment. Funding: Six months funding was provided by the National Youth Agencys Neighbourhood Support Fund, Barnardos and Hartlepool local authority.They say that art imitates life, but for some of the teenage girls at the B76 centre in Hartlepool, the chance to make a film about domestic violence was a chance to come to terms with their own experience of abusive relationships.Supported by the centres Artreach initiative for the young unemployed, six teenage girls decided to put their knowledge of the topic some of it first hand to practical use by making an educational drama to be shown in schools. But reaction to the project has been so positive that the film was shown on ITV in the Tyne Tees region on 20 December. Before filming could begin, the girls had to conduct in-depth research on domestic violence and talk to specialists with knowledge of the issue. Once the background was done, the girls then had to put together a filming schedule for the project, which they decided to call A Future Without Violence. They then embarked on actual filming using a video camera and editing equipment, which was operated with help from staff at local independent film company Carpet Films. Geraldine Holland, project worker at B76, said that the research work in particular helped the girls aged between 17 and 19 build on their basic reading and writing skills.Making this video gave them an insight into making a film and helped improve their confidence, says Holland. They were self-monitoring too. This showed them there is a future out there.Given their increasing interest in the project, the group began to attend the centre for much longer than the normal two-hour weekly sessions. When that kind of thing happens, you cant ask for anything more, adds Holland.Got a project to tell us about? Call Hugh Perry 020 8267 4721, email hugh.perry@haynet.com