Impact | Mental Health
CAMHS/ MNU Take Me To London Project
Take Me To London is a creative media project in which young
Londoners celebrate their city in the 3 years leading up to the
London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games. This project provides
an opportunity for young people with medical needs, who cannot
access mainstream school, to take part in a creative
project.
Take me to London was conceived by Watermans and produced by
Watermans and Chocolate Films.
QUICK LOOK PROFILE OF THE PROJECT
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NAME: Take Me To London
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CLIENT:Children and Adolescent Mental Health
Services and the Medical Needs Unit of Woodlane School
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TARGET GROUPS: Young people with Mental Health
Issues/ Medical Needs
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LOCATION: Wimbledon, Watermans
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DATE/ TIME: March 2010 till May 2010 (Visit to
Wimbledon 21st April 2010)
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NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 7
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AGE RANGE: 14 to 16 years old
Many of the young people from Woodlane MNU [Medical Needs
Unit] have mental health problems with severe anxiety or
depression. The MNU provides for the education of the young people
and works towards improving their self- esteem and confidence by
introducing them to new experiences and social situations. Take me
to London was ideal in addressing this as it enabled young people
who rarely go out of their own area to visit the Olympic venue of
Wimbledon in a safe and controlled manner.
INTENDED OUTCOMES
An improvement in the individuals' self- esteem through
the completion of a successful project
"I felt that they made a huge amount of progress throughout
the project… from the first day when they were quiet and making
negative comments, to the fantastic trip to Wimbledon… and the
final day when they felt great pride in their work." Ana Tovey,
Chocolate Films
Development of social skills through team work on the
project
The group had the chance to build confidence by working in pairs
or together as a team. The tailored approach to the activities in
the sessions meant there was something for everyone to be involved
in, depending on their skills or confidence level.
"Hussein, who hardly speaks at all, participated well and
enjoyed taking the photographs." Ana Tovey, Chocolate
Films
To reduce the level of anxiety felt when visiting a new
area or meeting a new person
"The workshop exposed our vulnerable group to a new adult
who they learned to feel safe with [artists Eray Hussein
and Anna Tovey from Chocolate Films]. It also gave them the
opportunity of a trip to Wimbledon where they had to overcome
considerable anxiety" Maureen Hill, MNU Teacher
Increased engagement with education and learning through
visual/ practical work experiences
Many of the group are strong creatively, but the MNU operates a
limited curriculum which does not offer regular artistic projects,
so Take Me To London provided an alternative:
"Biliby had some experience with photography already (and
had even brought his tripod along), and demonstrated a good
technical knowledge. During the editing he showed particular
aptitude with both creative and technical skills, and great focus
on the project." Ana Tovey, Chocolate Films
Building a positive self- image through use of video and
photography
The use of these two mediums allowed participants to develop
self-confidence and form a better self-image:
"There was an issue with one of the girls, Aime, who refused
to have her photo taken even for the practice exercise… [however
she] eventually agreed to have her photo taken." Ana Tovey,
Chocolate Films
PROJECT IMPACT
- The group have now all left the MNU and two of the participants
are studying Art and Design at Sixth Form College.
- 100% of participants recorded an improvement in their skills
using editing software.
- 80% recorded an improvement using a digital camera.
- 60% of the young people said they would like to take part in
more creative workshops after this project.
"We were very pleased with the
project and the impact it had in creating new experiences and
opportunities for our young people to work together on something
creative with a professional outside of our staff. It gave the
group a real sense of achievement." Maureen Hill, MNU
Teacher