MAMA Youth Project (MYP) provides training and development opportunities for young people. In particular, MYP trains young, aspiring TV talent in the art of TV production. The programmes that result from the training programmes have the further objective of educating, informing and supporting young people from all backgrounds.
The Charity Objects are specifically:
The objects for which the Company is formed shall be to advance the education of young people for the public benefit by:-
(a) providing training for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds (including, but not limited to, those from Black, Asian, Minority and Ethnic backgrounds - BAME) [in the art of [television] [media] production and ancillary matters]; and
(b) producing shows [and other media productions] which are aimed at educating young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in [life skills and other practical issues that affect them]
The general philosophy of our training programme is very much towards a real working environment rather than theory-based – young adults will have full and hands-on responsibility for producing a show titled “What’s Up” The show is broadcast on satellite and has to meet all EBU standards as well as the production requirements of the broadcaster. Each programme will include:
- Introductions to potential employers
- Support with CV preparation
- Employment Interview techniques
- Visits to broadcast stations
- Visits to post production houses
Young people will be selected to participate in the programmes based upon:
- Disadvantage or limited access to educational/employment opportunities
- NEET
- Aptitude for and interest in TV production
- A clear willingness to further their personal development
To date 31% of young adults who have produced “What’s Up’’ have had or are still in employment within the media industry.
Company’s such as BSkyB, Endemol, ITV, Shed Media, Leopard Films, Virgin Media and Monkey Kingdom have made commitments to interview selected trainees who have completed our TV training programme, with a view of employing them at entry level. We are hoping other employers will make the same commitment.
We have built solid relationships with organisations and the third sector that help young adults from the diverse backgrounds which MYP are seeking to support, such as, Social services, Connexions, Young Offenders, Homeless Charities, Single Parents and excluded from full time education support groups. Our trainees are a mixture of graduates from ethnic backgrounds and young adults from the above groups.
‘’This last year MAMA Youth Project gave 5 of our young people the opportunity to grow to be able to learn skills in front of and behind the camera, this development has continued to grow even after the project had ended, out of 5 young people 3 are now in full time employment...”
Debbie Low (Stonham, Jupiter House – July 09)
In the Council of Europe’s study on diversity in media throughout Europe, MYP has been placed as one of the top 30 organisations in Europe setting a good example, Initiative and practice towards diversity in media. The only other two companies in our category of 10 from the UK were the BBC & Channel 4.
Bob Clarke, our Founder and CEO started the company in June 2005 by advertising for youths from a similar background to his. Bob’s bio is enclosed. He wanted to see more ethnic minorities and white working class within the industry as production staff and technicians as most are receptionist, cleaners, security guards and drivers.
“When I started in this industry over twenty five years ago, I was told there are not enough black people working in this industry. Twenty five years later I am being told exactly the same thing”
Bob Clarke (Founder of MAMA Youth Project)
Bob worked with, and personally funded, 16 young people to produce 2 editions of a youth magazine show. A total of 10,000 DVD copies of the shows were distributed free to the youths of London. Many of those young adults who had no experience before in television production have gone on to find employment within the industry. It was through this project that they were able to have the opportunity and confidence to gain employment. This has proven the concept and confirmed Bob’s resolve to create an organisation dedicated to providing this training on an on-going basis.
In June 2007 MYP became a registered charity and a recognised training centre for television production, which entitles MYP to give vocational qualifications to our young talent. At the end of 2008, MYP had achieved a 31% success rate of employment for trainees within the television industry.
MYP will become a leading UK media charity – providing talent from diverse backgrounds to the television industry.
Between August 2010 and July 2011 MYP will train 96 young people:
- 60 young people will be trained on our TV Production Skills programme
- 36 young people will be trained on our TV Technical Operations programme
Until we become self sustainable, MYP needs the support of public and private sector organisations to core fund the next five years of operations.
For further information please contact info@mamayouthproject.org.uk or please call any of the numbers above.
Please take a look at the following websites.
www.mamayouthproject.org.uk www.myspace.com/mamayouthproject
Or why not follow us on: http://twitter.com/MAMAYouth
