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The Camera Never Lies
Young People Look Behind the Scenes of Liverpool 8
The photograph above is one of the shots taken by the young people
and in the exhibition.
BEHIND
the Scenes - L8, is a new photography and video exhibition, and the culmination of a 6 month long project involving 40 young people, aged
8 to 17 years, from St Margaret's of Antioch Primary School, Toxteth, The Unity Youth Club, Granby, Shorefield Community Secondary School, Dingle and 468 Youth Centre, Dingle. The projected is part of the INclude Young Voices programme, a partnership between Groundwork St Helens, Knowsley, Sefton & Liverpool, Save the Children and CDS Housing and is supported the Housing Corporation.
Since last autumn the groups have documented their communities in photography and video, highlighting the physical and social issues of the areas they live in. Literally getting behind the cameras themselves, they have lead on the directing process and created the films and photographs for the exhibition. The young people have highlighted 4 key local issues: housing, the environment, leisure activities and services, and community safety, which they would like to see improved in their area. Throughout the project they have had the support of a professional photographer, Tony Mallon, during their weekly sessions. The exhibition not only showcases their work but more importantly acts as a vehicle to promote their recommendations for change to key decision makers in the INclude area.
During the process the young people expressed their feelings that if young people are consulted at the outset they will have a sense of ownership of their park or play area or whatever is being regenerated and hopefully prevent graffiti and vandalism. As illustrated by Tashanna Afzal, aged 11, who commented:- "We would like the decision-makers to visit our schools and youth
centres". They also felt that the best way for them to communicate their ideas was through arts projects, echoed by the sentiments of Matthew O'Neill, aged 14:-
"Photographs are a good idea because you can actually see the problems."
Alice Demba, Save the Children Development Officer commented:- "Young people have such valuable insight on local issues which affect them directly and can make a very positive contribution to the regeneration of the areas in which they live. Their views are important and should be heard by the key decision-makers involved in the regeneration of their communities. We are very pleased that the Lord Mayor, Frank Roderick, is opening the exhibition. The young people will have an opportunity to speak directly to, and illustrate their suggestions through the exhibition to City Councillors, representatives from the Youth Service and Environmental Services and Gerard Murden from INclude Neighbourhood Regeneration Ltd."
Friday 20 May 12.30 to 5.00pm at Kuumba Imani Centre, Princes Road, Toxteth, Liverpool.
Night Life
Vote 2005
Results
WELL
we have counted and recounted the results and they will be
released here and in the Champion this week on Wednesday 25 May
2005
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