April 2008
Mediabox and Bebo launch film competition
Two Talented – searching for dual talents in front of and behind the camera judged by T4 presenter Rick Edwards
Mediabox and online social media network, Bebo, are launching a competition to give ten budding young filmmakers the chance to make their own short films.
The films will be showcased on Bebo and Charge, Community Channel’s youth platform.
‘Two Talented’ is supported by T4 presenter and new XFM radio host Rick Edwards and will encourage disadvantaged young people aged 13 to 19 to make films about their extraordinary friends.
Rick Edwards said: “If like me you’ve ever wanted to make a film but just haven’t got the cameras or whatever, then this competition’s for you. I’ve got one problem with it - why didn’t it exist when I was a teenager? I’m well gutted. So don’t be surprised if you get an entry from an ‘Edward Ricks’ of London”
As well as getting their films seen on TV and online, the winners will receive a video camera and a £250 grant to make the film.
To enter the competition, entrants need to visit the Charge profile on Bebo and write a short paragraph on why their friend deserves to have a film made about them. Winning entrants will then be invited to an all-expenses paid filmmaking workshop in London and will be mentored by media professionals who will work closely with them to make their filming project a reality. The closing date for entries is April 30th 2008.
Completed films will be shown on Bebo (www.bebo.com/chargetv) and broadcast on Charge TV (Sky 539, Virgin TV 233 and Freeview 87). The competition is aiming to attract dual talent – both in front of and behind the camera.
Karla Geci, Marketing Manager, Bebo said “Video is core to the Bebo experience; our users actively create, consume and share video content throughout the site which translates to approximately 1.5 billion videos served every month. The ‘Two Talented’ filmmakers competition is a great outlet for young people on Bebo who love video and want to express themselves through it.”
More information about the competition can be found at: www.bebo.com/chargetv. Fans of T4’s Rick Edwards can see him in a special video introducing the competition.
March 2008
Media Trust partners with Capacitybuilders on National Support Service (NSS) project
Media Trust is delighted to be running the Marketing and Communications workstream of the Capacitybuilders' funded National Support Service (NSS).
Media Trust's role is to be provide a range of services to help support Third Sector organisations with their Marketing and Communications needs.
The project begins at the start of April. Please email nssadmin@mediatrust.org if you would like to know how Media Trust can help your organisation, or you would like to get involved.
March 2008
Small charities offered broadcast quality film for one-off fee of £1,000
Media Trust is launching its fourth series of Volunteer Films and looking to support 25 small charities that would benefit from a short promotional film for and about their organisation.
The project is open to any charitable organisation with an annual turnover of less than £2 million. A professional film can easily cost in the region of £10,000 to £15,000, so this is a unique opportunity for low funded charities to promote their work through film, which will also be broadcast on Community Channel. Each is film is produced by TV professionals who volunteer their time and skills to help the charity.
Now in its fourth year, Volunteer Films has produced more than 75 films for small UK charities working in a wide range of areas such as disability, youth, community conflict, race relations, sport, arts and the environment. The films are made specifically for each charity, who can utilise them for a variety of uses including: fundraising, raising awareness or recruiting volunteers.
"The film really brings our organisation to life in the way a leaflet or an email never could. We're enormously grateful and highly recommend Volunteer Films for any charities thinking of creating a film" comments Jamie Dear, Trust Youth.
It is estimated that so far the equivalent of £750,000* has been donated in time and resources by the media industry, with films being produced by professional filmmakers from leading production companies, and broadcasters including: the BBC and Turner Broadcasting. Personalities who have also given up time to appear in such films include Jon Snow, Bill Turnbull and Dame Kelly Holmes.
“This project is great for people working in the often cynical world of TV to get an opportunity to put their skills to something that will actually benefit the world!” comments George Harris, TV producer/director
The total cost to each charity is £1,000, for which a broadcast quality film is produced, with guaranteed airtime on Community Channel. The charity is also provided with a DVD copy of the film and given a version suitable for streaming on the Internet. Charities are given professional marketing and PR advice from volunteer media advisors to ensure the films achieve maximum impact.
Previous films have been broadcast on BBC Big Screen, as part of Media Trust’s ‘It’s All About U’ volunteering campaign. A 30 second promo made for beatbullying was used on the YouTube/beatbullying site during anti-bullying week. Last year, commercials company PINK produced a film for Young People Theatre Company, which went on to win silver at the British Television Advertising Awards.
All charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits operating in England with a turnover of under £2 million are now welcome to apply. Volunteer Films hope to receive applications from a diverse range of charities in terms of both region and subject matter.
For further information and an application form, contact Volunteer Films on 020 7874 7640 or email volunteerfilms@mediatrust.org. Application forms should be returned by Monday 31 March 2008.
* Production costs are calculated in terms of production equipment used and time donated by various media professionals.
March 2008
‘Media Trust Cymru study shows charities’ appetite for media and communication advice’
A new study, exploring opportunities for young people within media in Wales has been released today by Media Trust Cymru. The study has already been submitted to the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) who they are working with in partnership.
The study found that the proposed initiative of developing and designing innovative and challenging volunteering opportunities for young people from the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) within media, communications and creative companies is welcomed in Wales. 96% of the young people who responded expressed a keen interest in getting involved.
Laura Rich, Youth Volunteer Worker with CAVO (Ceredigion Association Voluntary Organisation) Ceredigion said “An opportunity like this would keep charities up to date, bring a younger element into volunteering and break down prejudices opening up a two way experience for both volunteers and media.
Respondents to the questionnaires, focus groups and semi structured telephone interviews were very positive about the knowledge, skills and experience the young volunteers could acquire. They also recognised that the selection and assessment of the young people would be key to the success of the initiative. The development of the skills base of the young people who volunteer is likely to have a long term and broad impact in relation to their personal and professional development leading to an increase in their employability.
A further mutual benefit was the potential for increasing the understanding between the sectors and raising awareness of how both sectors operate including specific issues such as those facing people with disabilities.
Ruth Parry, who conducted the study says “The infrastructure put in place for progressing this initiative will be key to its future success and Media Trust Cymru is in a strong position to learn from other Media Trust initiatives which are based on tried and tested models”.
Media Trust aims to boost its representation in Wales in order to roll out more of its services into Welsh charities and build effective communications in the third sector.
Ruth Parry added: “This initiative would offer a real opportunity to provide a positive brokerage role between media, communications and the creative companies and young people within VCS in Wales”.
‘Media trust is actively seeking funding for a project that brings media and charities in Wales together’
To download a copy of the report, please visit: www.mediatrust.org/media-trust-cymru
February 2008
Mediabox announces sixth round funding
Mediabox today announced almost £250,000 of funding to inspire disadvantaged young people to have a positive voice in the media.
In this latest funding round, 16 youth organisations and media companies have been awarded grants for projects including film, TV, computer games, online and print.
Mediabox is a Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) fund which offers13-19 year olds the opportunity to develop and produce media projects.
To date, Mediabox has funded 133 projects, giving out almost £4.5 million from which over 6000 young people in England have benefited.
Examples of funded projects from the sixth round include:
- Oak Meadow Centre “Young Parents Group – All About Us”. The young people want to make a film explaining their experiences as a young parent.
- Speaking Up “Listen Up” is the vision of young people with learning disabilities who passionately want to demonstrate how professionals could work more collaboratively with them.
- Academy Trust (Garage) ‘Youth Anti Bullying Alliance” is the idea of a group of young offenders in Norfolk who have themselves been the perpetrator or victim of bullying. They want to create a campaign against bullying based on their own experiences by producing short advertisements to show how bullying can ruin lives.
The following organisations have all been awarded funding in the sixth round:
Mid Mediabox
- CEED, Bristol - £19,875
- Oak Meadow, Hampshire - £9,500
- Speaking Up, Cambridge - £16,675
- Streetlife FM, London - £19,855
- Academy Trust, Norwich - £11,905
- Child Action North West, Blackburn - £20,000
- Mount Hawke Youth Group, Truro - £19,126
- Spectrecom Film, London - £6,394
- Four Corners, London - £15,000
- All FM, Manchester - £15,500
- Stockton Borough Council. Stockton - £19,915
- Young Devon, Devon - £19,421
- Safe Media, Leicester - £10,024
- Mediaworks, Derby - £16,900
- Adoption Support, Birmingham - £20,000
- St Paul’s Community Dev Trust, Birmingham - £8,415
It was announced in December 2007 that The Department for Children, Schools and Families has provided funding for Mediabox for a further 12 months.
Information on funding deadlines and application guidelines will be available by 29 February 2008, to find out more please visit www.media-box.co.uk.
For further information please email Samantha Jobber at Media Trust or call 020 7874 7642.
Jan 2008
BBC seconds Community Sports Manager to Media Trust
Media Trust has appointed Dominic Cotton as Project Manager, Community Sports. Currently Head of PR for the BBC’s Your Game initiative, Dominic has joined Media Trust on a 6-month attachment to develop and build community sports opportunities and activity across Media Trust’s full range of services, with specific emphasis on film and TV production (Media Trust Productions), Campaigns, Youth Media and Community Channel.
Dominic has been a volunteer Media Trust Advisor since 2005 giving guidance to a range of sports charities and before working on the Your Game project, Dominic was a sports presenter, reporter and producer at the BBC and other news organisations including Sky and ITN.
“Community sport is increasingly being recognised and valued for the key role it has in supporting communities and people,” said Caroline Diehl, Media Trust CEO.
“In the run up to the London Olympics, Media Trust will be working closely with grassroots sports groups to help raise their profiles and to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of community sports across the country. Dominic has extensive experience within the field of sports, both in front of and behind the camera, and we are delighted that he will be driving forward Media Trust’s plans,” she adds.
Dominic Cotton said, "I am a passionate believer in the power of sport. It has a positive impact in communities across the UK and with the Olympics coming to London its influence is set to grow. While at Media Trust, my aim is to ensure the hard work being done at grassroots level gets the attention it deserves.”
For further information please contact Penny Crook at Media Trust on 0207 874 7651 or 07866 690 542, or Rachel Lailey on 0207 874 7098.
December 2007
Media Trust appoints new Director of Innovation and New Media
Media Trust has appointed Daren Forsyth as Director of Innovation and New Media.
Daren Forsyth, a senior Business Development Manager at BBC Future Media & Technology, has joined Media Trust on a 12 month attachment, as part of the BBC’s commitment to enhance the new media opportunities and skills of the Third Sector.
Daren will be responsible for shaping and delivering a major increase in new media activity across Media Trust's full range of services including media training seminars and workshops, film and TV production (Media Trust Productions), news distribution (Community Newswire), Media Matching, campaigns, as well as helping to build Community Channel as the public-facing digital hub for and about the Third Sector.
“The Third Sector is at a tipping point,” said Caroline Diehl, Media Trust CEO. “Communities are now embracing new technologies to influence, engage, inspire and connect - not just at local level, but on a wider global scale. People have the ability to change lives, the wider world around them and give those with little voice the opportunity to be heard. Daren is just the person Media Trust needs to make sure that this incredible revolution in communications has a major and positive impact for the Third Sector.”
Daren Forsyth said "I’m really excited to be joining Media Trust at a time when the rapid development of the social media phenomenon and the increased visibility of the third sector, have created powerful dynamics offering new opportunities and areas of growth”.
Forsyth began his career within the UK New Media sector in 1996 when he founded Fernhart New Media, a multiple award winning Internet and Digital Television creative and technical services agency.
During his ten year tenure at Fernhart, Daren secured major media industry clients including BBC, BSkyB, Channel 4, ITV and Virgin Radio. Fernhart was the first British based agency to launch an e-commerce system on TV for its client Domino’s Pizza PLC. Daren sold the Fernhart business as an ongoing concern in September 2005.
Daren was a regular commentator and opinion maker for leading trade publications within the UK New Media industry and was recognised by the Department of Trade and Industry in the UK as a “Top 100 Internet Pioneer of the First Internet Decade” at an official ceremony in 2004.
Within this position Daren played a major role in building the BBC’s strategic partnerships with Microsoft and IBM, as well as working on other strategic projects including BBC Archive and BBC iPlayer syndication deals.
Tony Ageh, Controller of Internet, BBC said “I’m delighted that Daren will be leading on Media Trust’s new media activity over the coming year. The BBC is a corporate member of the Media Trust and a signatory of Community Channel’s Joint Declaration. Daren’s attachment is part of the BBC’s ongoing commitment to the Media Trust's remit to raise the visibility of the Third Sector.”
For further information please contact Penny Crook at Media Trust on 0207 874 7651 or 07866 690 542, or Rachel Lailey on 0207 874 7098.
December 2007
Public Voice and Media Trust voice concern over Ofcom Digital Dividend Reivew (DDR) decision
Civil society groups to be forced out of rare communications opportunity
By 2012, analogue TV in the UK will have been turned off as there will be a switch to digital TV broadcasting. However when this happens the old analogue airwaves won't disappear completely,but this spare capacity of airwaves, often referred to as the 'digital dividend' will be freed up for other potential services such as DAB digital radio, broadcasting to mobile devices, wireless communications.
Public Voice (of which Media Trust is a founding member) and key figures from across the charity, community and broadcast and communications sectors have today expressed their disappointment at the communications regulator, Ofcom’s, decision to auction off one of the largest “bundles” of airwaves to ever become available in the UK – effectively excluding a wide range of groups from being able to acquire it.
The auction process for the airwaves, could be underway as early as late 2008.
Public Voice the leading voluntary sector coalition campaigning for citizens' interests in communications policy and regulation which includes some of the UK’s largest community broadcasters, such as the CMA and Media Trust, and some of the largest names from the voluntary sector such as NCVO, CSV, IBT, Timebank and VLV; had hoped that some of these airwaves could be held back to allow local and national broadcasters with public service, community and social action agendas to extend their reach and keep up with the latest developments in broadcast and communications. However, the coalition and its supporters now fear that such groups will be out-bid by broadcasters who wish to use the airwaves purely for commercial gain.
Public Voice’s project manager for the consultation, Rebecca Fulton, said: “This decision shows that the regulator has failed to understand its basic duty to UK citizens. National broadcasters with citizen-focussed remits will be unable to compete against large, commercial players for spectrum; and even spectrum packages suitable for local, community broadcasts are not being reserved solely for local use or activities that support public service, community and social action aims.
“We will now be calling on Ofcom and Government to look very carefully at the auction Process to see if modifications can be made to allow civil society groups to participate.”
For further information, please contact: Pete Moorey on 020 7520 2468 or email pete.moorey@ncvo-vol.org.uk.
For further details on the Digital Dividend Review (DDR) please go to: www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ddr/statement
December 2007
Mediabox Announces Fifth Round Funding
Mediabox has just announced the latest round of funding which will give more than £383,000 to inspire disadvantaged young people to have a positive voice in the media.
In this latest round of funding, 25 youth organisations and media companies have been awarded grants for creative youth-led projects including film and TV, computer games, online and print.
Mediabox is a £6 million Department of Children, Schools and Families fund which offers disadvantaged 13-19 year olds the opportunity to develop and produce media projects.
To date, Mediabox has funded 117 projects, giving out more than £4.1 million in funding. Over 6000 young people in England have benefited.
Examples of funded projects from the fifth round include:
- Big Up Films “This is my story” will see young people living on the Fenwick Estate in Clapham tell their stories. In February 2007, 15 year old Billy Cox who lived on the estate, was shot and killed in his own home. Many of the youngsters taking part in this project say that they were very angry after Billy’s death and that they felt that nobody listened to them. This project will give them a voice. The project will take place around the anniversary of Billy’s death.
- Toxteth TV “Voices from the unheard” project is aimed at improving the literacy, social skills and self esteem of 30 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The group will include young people living in the Toxteth area of Liverpool, asylum seekers and the homeless.
- Rolling Sound Ltd “Soul Control” will help young people explore the realities of gang life through a computer game. Designed by two young people categorised as ‘NEETS” (Not in Employment, Education or Training) the game will allow the player to make positive choices and show pathways out of gang lifestyle.
The following organisations have all been awarded funding in the fifth round:
Big Mediabox
The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs – UnLtd, London - £77,028
YCTV Foundation, London - £75,654
Mid Mediabox
- Trillith, Dorset - £20,000
- Labculture Ltd (trading as PVA MediaLab), Dorset - £20,000
- Media Projects East, Norwich – £15,716
- NR5 Project, Norfolk - £16,546
- Big Up Films London - £13,500
- Crystal Clear Creators, Loughborough - £9,950
- Trust for the Study of Adolescence, Brighton - £9,788
- George Salter High School, West Bromwich - £19,827
- Birmingham Book Festival Limited, Birmingham - £19,960
- visyon Ltd, Cheshire - £13,676
- NCCL Galleries of Justice, Nottingham - £10,450
- Toxteth TV, Liverpool - £19,094
- Radiowaves – Leeds - £17,507
- Mouth That Roars Ltd, London - £18,260
- Real Time Video Ltd, Reading - £13,860
- Changemakers, Newcastle - £20,000
- RollingSound Ltd, London - £19,818
- Film City Production Agency Ltd, Derby - £16,674
- Core Skills Development Partnership, Birmingham - £19,650
- Nomad Cultural Forum, South Shields - £20,000
- Hi8us Midlands Ltd, Birmingham - £20,000
- Indymedia3 Production Limited, London - £17,771
- Connexions Cumbria, Cumbria - £9,746
The sixth and final funding application deadline for 2007 has passed. Visit www.media-box.co.uk for further information.
For further press information please call Samantha Jobber at Media Trust on 0207 874 7642 or email
December 2007
Media Trust Campaigns and Community Channel celebrates 'United Nations International Volunteer Day' with 'It's all about U'
Media Trust Campaigns & Community Channel are today delighted to announce the launch of ‘It’s all about U’, the eighth ‘Volunteering For All’ national campaign.
Launching across the country on Wednesday December 5, Community Channel marks ‘United Nations International Volunteer Day’ with a new campaign to celebrate and drive awareness of the rewards of being a volunteer.
Adopted by the UN since 1985, United Nations International Volunteer Day (IVD) is designed to thank volunteers and stimulate a greater awareness of their contribution and is already marked in more than half the countries of the world.
Co-ordinated by Community Channel and do-it.org.uk, 'It’s all about U’ launches with a new dedicated website www.itsallaboutU.org.uk; a season of five short films broadcasting collectively as ‘It’s all about U’ on Community Channel, December 5, 7.30pm through to January 2008; support from a series of opportunity partners including Attend, Mencap, Scope, Time Banks UK, TimeBank and Volunteer Reading Help which offer ways to get active, involved and have some fun as part of volunteering; a free national helpline (0800 0681 800); additional support from METRO, GOLD and Starbucks; and a new social site on Facebook.
Targeted at over 25’s and under-represented groups in mainstream volunteering organisations, the campaign runs from 5 December through to the end of January 2008 to drive national awareness of the rewards of being a volunteer and celebrate the diverse range of opportunities available.
Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General, said; “On this International Volunteer Day, let us recognise the power of volunteerism to promote peace and development around the world. Let us also pay tribute to the many millions of citizens all over the world who, every day - in ways small and large - volunteer their time, ingenuity, solidarity and creativity to help build a better, more sustainable future.”
Phil Hope MP, Minister for the Third Sector, said,
“The Government recognises the importance of volunteering and I welcome this new campaign by the Media Trust to put the UN International Volunteer Day on the map and to drive awareness of the benefits of being a volunteer as part of the ‘It’s all about U’ campaign.”
“More people than ever are willing to help out by volunteering but there are also challenges ahead. Many people still feel unable to volunteer, particularly those on the fringes of society. That’s why the Government will continue to work to break down barriers to volunteering and to provide better and more widespread training for volunteers.”
Lara Samuels Campaigns Director said, “Supporting the UN’s International Volunteer Day, Media Trust aim to make 5 December into an annual event in the UK to clearly communicate the real value and fun of being a volunteer. We hope 'It’s all about U' inspires a new generation of volunteers join us in the UN’s global initiative. ‘It’s all about U’ is the culmination of seven previous campaigns over the past year which have contributed to the governments ‘Volunteering for All’ strategy.”
Martyn Lewis CBE, Chairman & Founder of do-it.org.uk (part of the YouthNet organisation) said; “We’re delighted to be supporting Media Trust and Community Channel in raising awareness of not only the countless and varied opportunities there are available but also most importantly to celebrate both the rewards and fun of volunteering. do-it.org.uk offers a comprehensive and unique platform online to both new and existing volunteers to support this national campaign.”
‘It’s all about U’ is supported with a national marketing campaign including; UK billboard campaign in London, North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber pro-bono advertising support from Metro Group Newspapers and additional promotional support from Bollywood cinemas across the country. Posters and leaflets are being distributed to the key target areas with supporting promotional materials including a Free Phone information line. The campaign will be translated into a variety of languages including Chinese, Bengali and Urdu.
A collection of five new short films, made by volunteers for volunteers, make up Community Channel’s new half-hour documentary from Media Trust Productions ‘It’s all about U’, to demonstrate the rewards of being a volunteer and further support awareness.
For further information, images and interview requests, please contact Keith Winestein on 0207 874 7608 or Darryl Butcher on 078966 11335.