Earlier this year, the Artz Centre in Birch Green, Skelmersdale joined forces with Young Addaction, a programme designed at raising awareness and prevention of drug addiction in young people. Their vision was to create something that could be carried forward to aid them on their quest to reduce the effect of addiction in teenagers. A funded project was launched using the Artz Centre and their students to put together 3 pieces of photographic and film media, designed at getting the message across.
The interest in participation was high, and places were limited. A total of 21 local young people from the age of 15-17, took part and the results were nothing short of extraordinary! They tackled issues such as alcohol and binge drinking, the hallucinogenic effects of LSD and the most socially accessible drugs these days.. cocaine. Using a series of photograph’s and movie clips that were filmed or taken at the Artz Centre in Skelmersdale and surrounding areas, these students produced some extremely powerful and at times, hard to watch pieces.
As a result of this, each attending student received AQA qualifications in first aid and drug awareness. The project was a huge success, and members from each organisation are now looking forward to working together again in the future. This is just another example of how The Artz Centre are using professionals from across the arts industry to inspire local young people.
“Can I also take this opportunity to thank you personally for organising, implementing and rolling out everything to do with the project from; the referrals to the food. It’s really refreshing to work in partnership with a service who is so organised” Hannah Merlyn – Addaction project Worker
“Watching these short and powerful pieces come together was brilliant to watch. Local young people at risk from the pressures and temptations of today’s society working hand in hand with professional film makers, photographers and theatre directors from across the industry. The Artz Centre is becoming the go to place for creative and innovative ideas and solutions. I would personally like to congratulate the students on their achievement and look forward to the next challenge” Mark Ashton – Artz Centre Director