The spotlight has been shining on a number of youngsters in Staffordshire following a People Power Funding grant from Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
Youngsters, aged between 5 and 16, took part in the Access All Areas media project at the Greenwood Studios in Bridgtown, Cannock.
The series of weeklong workshops taught IT, teamwork and media skills along with the ability to learn new music and drama skills for a showcase performance. Those not wanting to perform on the stage also had the opportunity to try new skills in graphic design, music technology, music recording, lighting, sound and stage work.
Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Ellis, said: ‘I was delighted to see how the money has been put to good use to help these youngsters gain a real sense of achievement.
‘Projects like Access All Areas are engaging local young people who may not normally be involved in these sort of activities and they all gave a really polished performance’.
Marisa Keenan from Media Climate CIC who took the lead on the project said: ‘Projects like this build public confidence in our communities by creating a feeling of wellbeing and reducing isolation of young people.
‘The People power fund has a great positive impact on the children who attended the activities, building self-confidence, learning new skills and making new friendships’.
Youngsters took part in the project with creative original ideas for the drama and an amazing array of talent in the final showcase performance including singing, dancing, acrobatics and band creation.
All those taking part were presented with certificates of their achievement at the final showcase performance, in front of an eager and enthralled audience of community, family and friends.
Kenyon Walker, Director of Media Climate CIC said: ‘We are very pleased with the response and look forward to more activities to promote our community with its local talented young people.
‘We hope to continue with more activities in the future to keep children engaged in positive fun activities so they can access their full potential learn new skills, achieve their full potential and make n0ew friends’.
£2,975 was awarded through the People Power Fund which supports locally-driven community safety activities in communities throughout Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.
The window for the next round of applications funding opens on Wednesday 1st August and runs until 14th September.
More information can be obtained on the website at www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/fund
