Delivered as part of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council's Trailblazer programme, a UK and Welsh Government initiative to reduce economic inactivity, the Make It film project saw a group of young people come together to create a film about what Blaenau Gwent really means to them.
Working alongside BG Arts, Aspire 2Be supported participants in creating ‘Our Blaenau Gwent’, a documentary about the people and places that have had an impact on the young people involved. By showcasing the wide range of activities open to young people in Blaenau Gwent, the film promoted a real sense of pride in the area and created something meaningful that participants could feel ownership of.
Being a part of this project helped create a safe and welcoming space where participants could learn new, transferrable skills and explore what the creative industries can offer. It gave participants the chance to build confidence in a practical, supportive setting. Alongside developing film making skills, young people were encouraged to practise presentation and interviewing, helping them feel more comfortable sharing ideas, speaking up and being heard. The sessions also supported wellbeing by providing a positive context to connect and socialise with others.
A key part of Aspire 2Be’s delivery was ensuring the young people maintained ownership of the film from start to finish. Participants were given control of the creative content so that the final piece felt authentic and truly representative of their own views and experiences.
BG Arts highlighted how approachable and engaging the Aspire 2Be team were throughout delivery. By listening carefully, remaining open to ideas and creating space for everyone to contribute, the team helped participants grow in confidence and feel genuinely involved in the creative process. This supportive and nurturing approach enabled young people to develop their best work, with expert advice and instruction provided at every stage to help them learn new skills and apply them in practice.
The response from participants was equally positive. They enjoyed the sessions and were motivated to attend, with many undertaking additional work at home to support the film making process. Aspire 2Be encouraged this dedication and accommodated additional footage into the final documentary, ensuring participants’ efforts were reflected in the finished film. Over time, confidence grew significantly, including for participants who were reluctant to speak at the first session and later spoke in front of an audience at the final showcase.
The final piece was shown to the group’s family and friends, as well as local councillors and partners, in a special screening at the Metropole Theatre in Abertillery. For BG Arts, one of the standout moments was seeing the participant’s reactions when the documentary was complete, and watching them share their work proudly.
You can view ‘Our Blaenau Gwent’ here.
