Knife crime is Project Fearless’ chosen topic for nation wide video resource

Year 7 to 10 Fairfield students are again privileged to be participating in ‘Project Fearless’ in conjunction with charity Integrate UK. This initiative running across a number of Bristol secondary schools offers fascinating and enlightening workshops relating to discrimination. By studying various topical issues, from both a positive and not so positive slant, a theme is then chosen before being turned into a relatable resource, to then be shared with schools nationwide.

Knife crime has been chosen as this year’s theme; perhaps not surprising following the tragic events affecting Bristol and wider areas in recent months. Integrate has paid weekly visits to each of the four secondary schools (Fairfield, John Cabot Academy, Montpelier High School and Orchard School) to run workshops, including focus groups, role playing and reading through proposed scripts before discussing amongst other things:

What works and what doesn’t

Which characters would add more depth to the script

Whether more diversity is required

How the ending should look

Armed with this feedback, Integrate liaises with the scriptwriter to refine and fine tune until students are in agreement that the final film will be engaging and relatable to teenagers across the country. They are then empowered as they decide which role they would like to play, whether this is acting, filming, behind the scenes, editing etc.

Once the video has been produced, the individuals involved are invited to attend the launch party often in a theatre at one of Bristol’s inspiring creative spaces, such as The Tobacco Factory or The Watershed, with a number of Integrate funders and influential external agencies including the Police, Children’s Services and Council representatives being present.

Judith McKenzie, Year 10 Coordinator at Fairfield High School comments: “Integrate is doing a fantastic job working with diverse schools across the city to uncover racial and gender issues, ultimately focusing on one specific area with which to produce a video. Students then play a key role brainstorming and helping to create this resource.

“Just last week I was really impressed that the students asked to take the scripts home so that they could digest them in their own time before coming back the following week armed with ideas. After all, they are the audience, so know the audience. We look to them for the inspiration and guidance.”

Notes:

In 2022, Project Fearless produced Smile More, which was filmed at Fairfield High School.

This year’s project involving between 20 and 50 young people will be filmed over the summer holidays and launched as a resource in January 2025.

As part of the project, another school working group focusing on safety for students in and out of school is also in operation, so this will lend itself to the future work/intervention.

Integrate UK invests “in the skills and talents of young people to nurture future leaders who promote our vision and values.” – https://integrateuk.org/