Tag Archives: young people

Seen but Seldom Heard returns to BU

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The acclaimed Seen but Seldom Heard project returned to BU’s Festival of Learning.

Performed in the Allsebrook Lecture Theatre on Talbot Campus, the project showcased the very best in spoken word by young disabled people from across Dorset.

The performance, entitled ‘The Cliff Edge’, explored the theme of future aspiration and transition between school and adulthood for young disabled people.

All pieces were written and produced by students from the Victoria Education Centre, in collaboration with BU academics, students, and professional poets Liv Torc and Jon Seagrave, otherwise known as Jonny Fluffypunk.

Jon said: “Working on the Seen but Seldom Heard project has opened up a whole new perspective for me concerning what young and disabled people are capable of. It’s been a real privilege to work with them”.

Starting nearly three years ago, and inspired by the 2012 Paralympics, Seen but Seldom Heard seeks to use creative methods to enable marginalised groups to have their voices heard.

Along with live performances from the young stars there were also pre-recorded readings covering topics such as family bonds, the emotional impact of day-to-day experiences on a young disabled person, and even a protest rap and a song entitled “Poetry Express” which both opened and closed the night’s proceedings.

One particular poem caused an emotional stir with the audience.  Written by Lucy, and performed by Liv Torc, the poem called “A Head Like Mine”, touchingly captured Lucy’s feelings and emotions during the transition period from youth to adulthood.

Christopher Lees, Chairman of the Talbot Village Trust which funded the event said:

“Watching these young people perform is truly heart-warming. Lucy’s poem in particular struck a chord with me as it was so touching to see how she expressed herself throughout the poem. It is for this reason, to give young people like Lucy a voice, that the Talbot Village Trust has pledged itself to such a great cause.”

Simon Brown, Vice Principal for the Victoria Education Centre, spoke about what the project means for the participants, saying:

“The project now has given so much to both the students and the staff and has given these talented young people a voice and a platform to show what they can do, rather than what they can’t due to their disabilities”.

Visit the Seen But Seldom Heard website

By Anuska Naidoo, BA (Hons) Communication and Media student

Who Cares? BU students do!

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Students from Bournemouth University have staged a topical comedy panel show to try and get young people interested in politics.

The Who Cares? show was organised by first year students on the BA (Hons) Politics and Media course, and featured up-and-coming comedians Chris Turner and James Loveridge alongside a student host and panellists.

It was filmed in front of a live audience of around 100 people on Talbot Campus and featured rounds where panellists had to decide whether headlines were real or fake, and had 15 seconds to come up with solutions to problems like binge drinking and the North Korean nuclear threat.

The aim of the show was to present politics in a more accessible and exciting way to increase interest and engagement in 18-25 year olds.

“The brief was to put on an event that appealed to younger people and we could do whatever we wanted from that,” said Robbie Gavin, who was one of the team captains for Who Cares?

“We ended up with a comedy show as we thought it would engage people who might not normally be interested in politics or think politics is that funny.”

Robbie, 18, who is in the first year of the BA (Hons) Politics and Media course, added that he felt they had learnt a lot through organising the show.

“I think that we have learnt how to work as a team very well,” he said.

“We did a lot of things that might not have done before – like producing, getting the set together and making contacts. It was a really good life experience.”

Award-winning comedian James Loveridge said he was happy to get involved with the project.

“The students got in touch and I thought it sounded like a really fun project, and something really different.

“You can tell that they have worked really hard on it. I had an amazing time.”

The panel show was filmed for a DVD and the students will be assessed on the project for the Experiencing Politics unit of their course.

BA (Hons) Politics and Media Course Leader Dr David McQueen said: “The unit is about looking at links to everyday life and the ways in which people are turned off politics.

“Something like this is a way of connecting and it shows that people are more interested in politics than they even know.”

He added: “I’m really proud of what they have done. It had a level of professionalism you’d expect from final year or Master’s students and they have utilised the resources of the Media School.

“All of the first year students were involved in different aspects of it and had to work as a team. They have picked up so many skills, like problem-solving, and worked really hard through the holidays to make sure it was the success it was.

“I hope they will look back on it and be really proud.”