Young people living rural and socially deprived areas in Britain are benefiting from our growing network of multi media mobile centres.
The initiative, researched and piloted by KidsOut in2006, aims to reduce social isolation among children and young people living in rural areas and fringe estates.
Funded by KidsOut and The Big Lottery Fund, there are five multi media mobile vans and one static media centre covering six key regions in the UK. Each provides a focus for creative and recreational media activities and work in partnership with local youth organisations in East Riding, Cumbria, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, Wolverhampton and Surrey.
The mobiles themselves are long wheel base vehicles which have been converted as recording studios, with the capacity to create music and film using modern technology. Packed with musical instruments, they also incorporate adaptive technology for the disabled, and can support performance.
44% of disadvantaged people do not live those areas recognised as being disadvantaged, which means there are many children and young people who miss out on the types of activities their peers are offered.
The KidsOut multi media mobile, and static, centres are used to impact positively on the issues facing young people in the rural areas and fringe estates of Britain where children and young people often lack access to such facilities.
In conjunction with local partners and youth organisations, the KidsOut multi media mobiles are visiting centres, schools, youth clubs and other local venues and can itself can hold up to 9 people. A separate awning can expand the number of available spaces. Sessions enable the following:
A £1m Big Lottery Fund grant was awarded to KidsOut following the huge success of its pilot multi media mobile scheme launched in East Riding in August 2006. There, the multi media mobile van is attracting over 900 young people – engaging them in everything from making music, to dance and performance and from generating computer games to interactive communication.
For further information about the KidsOut multi media centres please contact KidsOut on 01525 385252 or e-mail kidsout@kidsout.org.uk