Choices
[Newcastle upon Tyne / North Tynside] 2003 to present
An annual programme of arts activity for young people (10 to 18 years old) in the youth justice system, devised and delivered in partnership with the North of Tyne ISSP (Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme) and Newcastle Youth Offending Team.
Choices aims to provide young people involved with the youth justice system in the North Tyneside area with an opportunity to:
- raise their self-esteem and encourage personal and social development;
- develop creative and artistic skills and interests and experience new activities;
- experience new life choices and help them realise their aspirations;
- share new achievements with others;
- explore a range of opportunities to become involved in education, training or leisure projects, based on their individual interests and aspirations;
- raise their awareness of positive cycles of behaviour.
Choices also seeks to challenge negative attitudes towards young offenders and to present these young people in a positive light.
Working with a creative writer and Superkrush Productions, the group have produced two short documentary films, Clamped and Ronnie Gets the Show On exploring what it is like to wear an electronic tag. Available on DVD, the films are now being used by the Youth Justice Board as part of the training of magistrates. In September/October 2005, Clamped was showcased at the Raindance Film Festival (London) and the Co-op Young Filmmakers Festival (Bradford). Ronnie Gets the Show On was screened at the Leeds Young People's Festival in March 2007 and at the Co-op Young Filmmakers Festival in October 2007.
In 2006, the group worked with a team of independent film producers, a creative writer and actors from Live Youth Theatre to produce a film, My World for the Newcastle Resettlement and Aftercare Provision programme (RAP). In January 2007 My World won the Royal Television Society Award for Best Film for a Target Audience and will be used by the Youth Offending Team to promote the benefits and services of the RAP programme.
During 2007 the group worked with IF Films to produce a love story called Day Trippin' and a series of short films, and with cartoonist Suzy Varty to create a collection of cartoon portraits that explore the lives and identities of young offenders. These portraits are now on permanent display in YOT and ISSP offices across the North East.
Until June 2008 the group will be working with filmmaker Kate Sweeney on a film called Who am I?, filming at venues across Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside. The group have also completed a set of graffiti boards commissioned by Nexus that were on display at Chillingham Road Metro Station between September 2007 and January 2008.
NEW opportunity for Dance Artist on the Choices project. See Opportunities for more information.
