Catcher Media are working on a West Mercia Youth Justice Service participatory film with young offenders. The young people are aged between 16-18 years old and come from Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Telford. We want to capture, on camera, young people’s voices and lived experiences first, and their offences, second.
The project is linked to West Mercia Youth Justice Service’s (WMYJS) interest in the Child-First initiative, and the finished film will be used for internal purposes at the WMYJS staff conference, WMYJS board meetings and by West Mercia Police.
“What this? This has been completely amazing!” said Leon, participant (17)
Some of the filming has been done by the young people themselves. Still in post-production, the film provides fascinating insights through honest interviews and the individuals involved were keen to discuss some of issues their offence brought to light and how the WMYJS had helped them. In due course footage from the finished film may be available for social media use, as long as individuals cannot be identified.