At the end of last year I found myself in unchartered territory. After twenty five years of experience in the media, predominantly at the BBC, I stumbled into making a new discovery – BBC Outreach. It’s one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.
After being ill last year I was thinking about finding some voluntary work to test out my energy levels when, by chance, I got chatting to Jo, the Producer from the BBC Outreach in Bristol team. I soon found myself volunteering to help out with the Talent Ticket Roadshow project which partners and visits 12 schools to provide media workshops for year 9s, as well as a ticket for a week’s in-house work experience for year 10s. I spent an eye-popping week in some of Bristol’s notoriously difficult secondary schools helping workshop leaders to convey their craft to, let’s say, not the easiest of audiences. But I was delighted to see pupils who considered themselves as complete no-hopers turn into aspiring presenters, animators, camera and sound operators, make-up artists and dancers.
By Friday I felt utterly exhausted (in a good way) and really inspired. Aside from the pupils’ great achievements, what also surprised me was how just two people (BBC Outreach Bristol) could make such a massive project work so successfully based on such a tiny budget and some goodwill, and with admirable creativity.
With my factual programme-making background, Jo then asked if I was interested in leading my own workshops and I spent six days teaching 13-14 year olds to make short films for a magazine style programme The Nine Show! Our running order contained items such as ‘Gangnam Style’ and ‘Fashion’, and teams shot gems like dancing head-teachers, frank interviews with police officers, and unusual pieces to camera! It was very rewarding to witness the level of interest and sense of achievement from our next-generation production teams.
Working for BBC Outreach has made me realise just how much I actually know by teaching it, and I’ve really enjoyed sharing my production skills with students. I’ve also enjoyed learning more about my own brilliant city and becoming involved with communities new to me. I felt particularly privileged to attend a viewing of films made by members of the Hillfields Community Project, who, in partnership with BBC Outreach and the City Council, produced short films about their own marginalised life experiences including addiction, disability and abuse. As these unlikely film-makers were awarded certificates of achievement their friends and families clapped and cheered and their sense of pride and delight was palpable.
I’ve been struck by the fact that in the current climate we’re focused on our programme output as the key to re-building our reputation, while the vital work of the BBC Outreach team, which forms the backbone of the BBC’s reputation, is perhaps overlooked. BBC Outreach consistently builds good relationships at grass-roots level, whilst helping to repair collateral damage. I’m very proud to be part of the work of BBC Outreach in Bristol and still amazed I’ve only just discovered it - if this isn’t public service at its best I don’t know what is.
