CURRENT PROJECTS

If you'd like to get an idea of what we're currently working on, here are some of our recent projects and highlights.

Through my Eyes

We are starting a new project working with Bridgend Young Carers. This project aims to give Young Carers the opportunity to make a short film about the service provided for them, developing new skills in film, animation, directing, interviewing, song writing and editing. The group will have the opportunity to work together as a team to reflect and to creatively express themselves. The final film will be launched to a wider audience and give an opportunity to facilitate dialogue between service users and service providers.

Making the Best of it

We have been working on a 12 minute film with young people who have experienced the Looked After system in the Bridgend Borough. The film will be mainly shown to service providers to show the point of view of young service users:

"I want to make something out of myself and prove people wrong. I went through a stage when I drunk a lot. I got arrested and really hurt. I learnt my limits. I used to be really up and down and went through the whole stage of self-harming; it was really bad. I learnt to trust my carers and to talk to them which made me feel a bit better".

"My foster carers said that they couldn't ask for anyone better than me. If all that stuff didn't happen I probably wouldn't be the person I am today, in college doing the course I like. It's my life and I make the decisions for it."

"I didn't want to go into care then I realised that the people were only there to help. Foster care is safe. You have lots of people around you supporting you. There are always people around who want to sit down and listen. Once you start talking about your life things change. There are plenty of people out there being abused by their families. So many young kids are too frightened to say anything, but if you don't say anything nothing will change. Your mind will just blow, you've got to make that step. Get it out, and get it sorted you have to say something to be helped. Foster care is a refuge with lots of opportunities."

"My foster parents became known to me as mum and dad. My goal is to become a pilot, travel around the world and do a responsible job. Being looked after helped me in many ways. I received support, advice and guidance and financial support which helped me to succeed. My foster parents helped me to achieve my potential. Maybe a lot of young people in care feel that they can't achieve but this is all wrong they can achieve just as much. The same support should be offered to all young people in care to make sure that everybody gets a fair opportunity."

Anger Management

We are working in Ogmore Comprehensive School with young people using drama to develop emotional literacy and explore issues around anger and emotions. As part of this project we will be developing a new resource pack around these themes and making a short film with young people from the school, with funding from Cymorth.