July 4, 2024 09:36am
Brixham College recently hosted an exciting initiative in collaboration with Sound Communities, a local organisation dedicated to nurturing creativity, improving mental health, and boosting confidence among young people through innovative radio broadcast projects.
Sound Communities' work is known for its strong social action focus, aiming to develop skills by providing students with a platform to express themselves and have their voice heard.
In this initiative, selected students from Brixham College participated in weekly sessions designed to support their personal and creative development.
Over three weeks, these students were guided by Sound Communities’ facilitators in creating a radio broadcast on topics they felt passionate about.
Their chosen topic was 'mental health,' with subtopics including friendships, gaming, loneliness, and bullying.
Tiana, a Year 7 student, shared her perspective on the project:
"We decided to speak about friendship because if you do not have good friendships, it can cause an impact on your mental health."
The project provided students with a unique opportunity to learn creative, professional, and technical skills related to radio broadcasting.
By learning new skills and engaging in creative projects, students not only enhance their personal development but also contribute to meaningful social action.
From scripting to recording, students were involved in every aspect of the production process. Sound Communities brought all the necessary radio equipment to the school, and their mobile bus studio allowed students to record their broadcast on-site.
The year 7 students from Brixham College worked collaboratively, sharing their experiences and crafting messages they wanted their listeners to hear. The final product, a student-produced radio broadcast, will soon go live on air (date to be confirmed).
Vicki Whelan, Intervention Manager at Brixham College who helped plan the sessions, commented on the initiative's impact:
"This project has been incredibly beneficial for our students. It not only provided them with new skills but also gave them a platform to discuss important issues that affect their daily lives.
“Watching them grow in confidence and express their thoughts so eloquently has been truly rewarding.
"Sound Communities has given our students an invaluable experience. Many of them have struggled to find ways to express their emotions and ideas, and this project has provided a constructive and creative outlet for them. It's amazing to see how this has positively impacted their mental health and overall well-being."
Stay tuned for the broadcast date to hear the voices of Brixham College students as they share their thoughts on mental health and its impacts.
