Young Carers begin project with the NNCO

The Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes Collaborative Network worked in partnership with Carers in Bedfordshire and CHUMS to welcome 33 young carers, aged from 12 to 17 years old, to the University of Bedfordshire’s Luton campus last week.

The young people have been selected by the charities to take part in a film and media project which is being supported by the Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes Collaborative Network. The project aims to create a video and accompanying lesson plan, led by the young people, to provide information for schools and local learners about life as a young carer.

The project kicked off with its first event on Wednesday 13 January 2016. Visiting students were welcomed by Tamanna Sidika, Zahera Saghir and Nikita Hayden from the Access and Outreach Team as well Darsh Hawtin from the Careers and Employability Service. The project aims to create a video and accompanying lesson plan, led by the young people, to provide information in schools about life as a young carer.  After getting to know each other through icebreakers and a short presentation from CHUMS surrounding the legislation which supports young carers, it was down to business.

A BA (Hons) English Studies student, Hafizur Rahman, presented a script writing workshop where the group considered a story and then adapted it for the screen.  After lunch in the University canteen, the group headed to the TV studios where they were introduced to elements of Media Production and Media Performance. The session was led by lecturers Anthony Greenbank and Kathryn Wolfe along with student Associates to support the group to produce two short videos.

Feedback for the first event was positive from all those involved with all 33 participants confirming that they would like to continue with the project.  The young people found the visit changed their views on university; “I always thought university was hard and today has kind of made me see a different view” and “Uni would be a good experience”.  After the event, one parent commented that “My two came home buzzing…didn’t stop talking about it. Thoroughly enjoyed it, both definitely want to go again! Inspired by the Uni and its facilities, they loved every minute…Thank you so much”.

The project will continue with its next event being hosted at Central Bedfordshire College where students will brainstorm and plan their final video project. If you are interested in hearing more about the project or the Network, please contact nnco@beds.ac.uk