Journalism training for the BBC Radio1 and 1Xtra Academy
The
BBC took up residence in Hackney in June, when the Radio1 and 1Xtra Academy, designed
to inspire and equip young people to build a career in media, opened its doors
to 10,000 local young people.
Poached
Creative and YH World were chosen to run the journalism sessions, providing about
200 young people with practical training, supportive mentoring and valuable
industry opportunities.
Our
workshops were part of a vibrant programme covering music, fashion, journalism,
film and web and the fast-paced journalism sessions sat alonside performances,
live broadcasts, interactive training sessions and Q&As over a period of
three weeks.
Students
had the opportunity to work with journalists from the Daily Star, the
Independent and Grime Daily; to interview rising stars such as Rita Ora and
Delilah; to create a double-page spread for the Hackney Gazette and to set up
and contribute to an official blog at www.route38hackney.wordpress.com
There
was a potent mix of talent and determination amongst the Academy's youth
community, as observed by our industry and celebrity guests.
Achievements and outcomes
· 10 workshops delivered covering writing, design and illustration, interviewing,
starting your own blog, vox pops and presenting
· 200 young people trained and supported through our workshops
· articles and photography from students in the
Independent, the Hackney Gazette, Hackney Today, the Hackney Citizen and on the
Route 38 blog
· interviews with Rita Ora, Delilah, Josh Osho, Paloma Faith, Trevor Nelson and vox
pops with the public
· guest training from professional journalists, writers, photographers and illustrators:
Oliver Duff, Amol Rajan, Jerome Taylor , Nina
Lakhani, Ian Burrell and Susannah Ireland from The Independent; Kim Dawson from the Daily Star; Pierre,
Sketchy and Poet from Grime Daily; Daniel Kaluuya from Skins; Malcolm Starbrook
from the Hackney Gazette; Agenda; Katy Dawe; Alake Riley and Bish
· work experience secured for 7 young people with Grime Daily for the Radio 1 Hackney
Weekend, the Daily Star, Tim Westwood and YH World
· training opportunities highlighted with Poached Creative and YH World
· future
partnerships forged with the
BBC, the Independent, Grime Daily, the Daily Star and the Hackney Gazette.
In numbers
· 8 industry
partners collaborating
· 200 young
people taking part
· 7 young people
gaining further work experience
· more than 30 pieces of unique, high-quality content by young people published in
print and online
· 21 industry
professional sharing their skills
· 6 young mentors
paid to assist in the workshops
· 1198 likes
on the Academy Facebook page
· 134,794 views
on the Take It On YouTube channel
Quotes
“Thank
you so much. The session was really good and I really enjoyed learning
everything I've learnt.” Erica McCoy, journalism session participant
“I really enjoyed it, and learned so
much. The insight into journalism that you provided has made me want to strive
harder to achieve a similar career for myself.” – Zoe Crook, journalism session
participant in a letter to Kim Dawson
"They
wanted inspiration and they wanted to be heard. Every year and in every area of
the country, we need an Academy.” – DJ Trevor Nelson
"I
come from Hackney and a lot of people seem to stereotype the area with a lot of
negative things.For me, if more events like this were to
happen then it would encourage more young people to do something positive with
their lives. It would help them to get somewhere." - Academy participant Winifred
Boansi, 22
“Thank you all for the hard work that
you put in to making the Academy such a success. It was an absolute pleasure to
work with you – please also pass this on to your amazing team.” – Marie Baer,
BBC Learning
“Thanks
for having me in…I think we’ve got a potential little star!” Kim Dawson, Daily
Star Playlist
Background to the Radio1 and 1Xtra
Academy and our involvement
The
Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra Academy was part of Take It On, Radio 1’s commitment to
encourage young people to get inspired and involved in order to 'take on' their
future.
BBC
Learning worked with Radio 1 to create its "biggest ever programme of
social action and outreach." Their mission was to offer 10,000 young
people across East London the chance to gain skills and experience and to be
inspired by leading people in their fields.
The Academy
opened in the run up to Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend – the station’s biggest ever
music festival – and festival Ambassadors Leona Lewis and Plan B attended the
academy alongside celebrities including Labrinth, Dizzie Rascal, Adam Deacon,
Riz Ahmed, Paloma Faith, Fearne Cotton, Gemma Cairney and Trevor Nelson.
Poached
Creative and YH World worked with BBC Learning to develop and run the
journalism sessions, finding opportunities for students to watch exclusive live
performances, interview the talent and work with some of the biggest names in
the business.
We
were one of 20 local partners delivering the Academy workshops.
Published work
The
Independent article http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-pride-of-hackney-can-a-festival-spark-a-local-renaissance-7876774.html
Paloma Faith article and
photo from young mentors published in the Hackney Citizen: http://hackneycitizen.co.uk/2012/07/11/paloma-faith-lands-back-in-hackney
Article on Rita Ora
published in Hackney Today: http://www.hackney.gov.uk/w-hackneytoday-back-issues.htm
(see page 3)
Double-page spread printed
in the Hackney Gazette, approx. reach 31,000 people: http://route38hackney.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/hackney-gazette-headline-news/
Route 38 blog
concept and content created by Write and Get Published trainees: http://route38hackney.wordpress.com
Hood
English video featuring YH World volunteer Jenkins: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6FD7BBA468821C85&feature=plcp
BBC coverage
https://www.facebook.com/BbcRadio1And1XtrasAcademy
