Strode College Media students partner with Route1 Advocacy to help recruit new volunteers

News
03/03/2022

Route1 Advocacy is a Somerset County Council program that recruits volunteers and advocates to help improve the well-being of vulnerable children. Strode College Creative Media students produced a number of short animations videos to publicise the program’s existence.


Route1 Advocacy supports children and teenagers known to Somerset Children’s Social Care. The Programme offers two options Advocates and Independent Visitors.


Advocates work alongside individual children to ensure their voices are heard and their wishes and feelings are taken into account when decisions are being made which affect them.


Independent Visitors make a long-term commitment to one child in care. They visit regularly and build a trusting, supportive relationship and friendship that can sometimes last many years. This really can bring life-changing experiences and opportunities to a vulnerable child or young person.


Recruitment is important to Route1 Advocacy and the children they support. As their needs expand, they are looking for additional volunteers. The programme trains and supports individuals who undertake these roles.


The partnership with Strode College helps inform the community in a fun way and reinforces the work undertaken by volunteers. Using animation is accessible and appealing to all, it is also a brilliant opportunity to work with young minds.


The films, created by the students, will be featured on Route1 Advocacy’s website *Volunteer for Route1 (somerset.gov.uk) and will be shared on their Instagram channel @route1advocacy, Facebook @Route1AdvocacyandIndependentVisitors · Social service, Twitter @route1advocacy and other social media channels.


Route1 Advocacy Coordinator, Julie Rickwood commented,

"I have, again, been really impressed by the response and work of the students at Strode College. They have embraced the passion and commitment of the Route 1 team and created some wonderful animations, thank you!"


As the population migrates to digital device usage and engages more socially using their mobile phones and tablets, Route1 Advocacy believes their recruitment efforts are best supported using animation. Individuals today engage with video five times longer than static content makes in it a more effective dissemination method.


Adrian Smith is the Course Manager for the Creative Media Production at Strode College.

"This is an excellent project that will help students gain work experience and create another product for their portfolio. Collaborating with a real client also allows the students to develop their professional practice and workplace competence. There is currently a skills shortage in the UK film industry so this is a great time to be studying a media course at Strode."


**Creative Media Production (Extended Diploma Level 3) course at Strode College prepares students for progression into the workplace, by developing a portfolio of work.


There are no requirements for students to be in front of the camera, but they do have to produce podcasts, content for TV, documentaries, music videos and short films. Perfect for anyone wanting to work in film, TV or radio. For more info on the course visit www.strode-college.ac.uk.


* Source https://www.somerset.gov.uk/education-and-families/route1-advocacy/


** Source https://www.strode-college.ac.uk/courses/our-courses/creative-media-production-(exten/?subject=&type=