Media training scheme for ethnic minorities heads North

A scheme to help unleash the potential of 120 individuals from ethnic minority communities is being launched in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England by Skillset and the BBC this spring.
The highly practical Skillset Millennium Award programme is being supported by a grant from the Millennium Commission with funds from the National Lottery and will provide an opportunity for 40 individuals every year to acquire a range of media skills that can be used in a project to benefit their local communities. The initiative is being delivered on a revolving UK-wide basis and is at present about to be launched in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England.
The brief for the projects is wide and could involve anything from producing an item for local radio, to developing a website or making a video about the experiences of a particular community.
Nineteen individuals from ethnic minority communities in the London and South East region have already received funding to develop their media skills in projects that will benefit their local communities. The projects include a radio documentary highlighting the many types of arranged marriage in the Asian community; a website that promotes sexual health to young people; and a video documentary about interior design in African and African-Caribbean Communities in Britain.
On completion of this initial training, Award winners will receive a grant of £500 for their individual projects which they will have 12 months to complete. During the 12 months they will attend two supplementary workshops where they will be offered practical help and advice on their projects and where they can share the experience they have gained so far. In addition, access to mentoring and general support will be provided throughout the period and Award winners will receive additional training sessions in fund-raising and marketing.
Skillset, www.skillset.org
(GB)