SICK

SICK The Movie about Mental Health

by Arts & CultureFilm ProductionFilms

During half-term, we brought together seven young individuals to embark on an ambitious film project that addresses the urgent need for greater focus on mental health. We didn’t rely on knives or guns; our only weapons were passion and a commitment to change the narrative. This project aims to shed light on the mental health struggles that many young people experience, often showing signs early on. It was these challenges that inspired the creation of SICK, a short film dedicated to addressing this critical issue.

To reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, we must recognise it as a concern for everyone.

Film provides a powerful platform to bring mental health into the spotlight, offering a way to approach sensitive subjects with care and openness. Our screenings serve as a catalyst for discussion, helping people navigate difficult conversations, foster empathy, and ultimately, reduce the stigma associated with mental health.

SICK made history as the first short film ever to be screened at the prestigious National Gallery in London

Award Winning

OFFICIAL SELECTION - Golden State Film Festival - 2021 (1)
OFFICIAL SELECTION - World Cine Fest - 2021 (2)
Camera lens with lense reflections.

Media Sessions @The Youth Unity Hub located in Ashford Kent

by Arts & CultureNew Projects

Media Hub came to Ashford in the February school half term 

A safe space for young budding musicians that is mobile, and can be accessible anywhere. The bus has been transformed into a fully functioning studio, with new equipment. The Bus can pull up anywhere for a session with anyone who needs it, from professional artists to school children who want to learn how to make music. The emphasis is on the young generation coming up and supporting them, and giving back to the community.

Street Interviews, we will be taking to the streets filming short vlogs with members of the community.  Our aim is to get a wider snapshot of how the community is coping with the current climate, rise in fuel costs, the strikes and sadly the rise in series youth violence.

What they would like to see change in the borough?

Although these are serious topics we will work to ensure that these are engaging and positive as possible whilst giving a real voice to the community.

microphone with a podcast icon on a table

Podcasting in the Community of Erith

by Arts & CultureBexley Community Safety PartnershipLondon Borough of Bexley

Podcasting in the community of Erith. Delivered in partnership with Bexley Community Safety Partnership. Interviews include some key people from the local area of Erith.

The podcasts are available to listen back to on our YUPOD via major platforms such as Spotify, iTunes.

Podcasting has become a popular way of addressing topics. It has become an important tool in communication. Podcasting can promote important discussions in a safe and comfortable environment. Many platforms that focus on podcasting as a medium are reaching audiences that were previously hard to attract.

Youth unity have used podcasting as a positive way of teaching young people that communicating effectively and raising awareness about topics that affect your immediate surroundings are a good way of creating change. 

The core focus of using podcasting as a medium is to enable people of all ages to share the experience of talking together irrespective of age, gender or ability. The outcomes are measured in the recordings and can be an effective way of bridging the gaps in our communities. 

The other benefits of using podcasting with young people is that it provides them with a new skill set that can be transferred into every aspect of their lives. Communication is the key to almost every career and the better you are at it the more opportunities are available. 
f1c00ce7-c7e3-4350-a1fc-e1a361ba88a4
e8b12fc0-e5c1-48a1-8ecc-d4b2c96da144
d72adf6c-ad31-4eba-868f-b51847226058
c872fb2c-8822-42a0-886d-37c9589f4205
c5eb5d8d-8a11-4e94-a6d1-f142cd3b78fa
9765cecd-d7c3-4414-a2df-f2e8a167be67
47ce1249-ce26-4355-b476-39945b137c59

This podcast is working with AgedUk, based in Erith.  Whereby they run an amazing project called “Men in Sheds”.   The young people had some great questions to ask with some interesting thought provoking answers.  

https://www.meninshedsbexley.com/
d1e8567a-b110-4927-b799-b4e10974bb9c
c479a25a-513d-4f79-9f57-39dbbee3a164
c6f53d21-c3b9-41cb-bf6d-e7e66ad9b640
c2d32010-6c44-440f-9f41-77d8bcc8afa7
bf310ca7-5c8b-4ef8-bcd0-e874bec22167
acff94ce-9015-4c07-9612-f01a71207d73
a96faeb3-a8ed-4900-a2a6-ea782b9373c1
244a606c-d281-4dff-8daf-f3e2ec637747
96c6c36b-5caa-4cc4-ac82-90ad1951b897
79dd852b-ca7c-46b5-a676-a21656574c26
52c0c36d-1d5a-465e-9990-3ddf9b11064b
9df6a6d1-8360-45c0-9470-827cdeca1808
dd0e99c9-9767-4749-8e22-79770d22d06a
de8463f9-41fc-4c58-a482-715919b09d5e
IMG_6399 2

Michael – Bullying is never right!

by Arts & CultureFilmsMental Health

Youth Unity meet a group of young people in Erith through our Outreach Work and took them on a film making journey, we engaged over 25 young people over 6 weeks to make an awareness film highlighting BULLYING.  Through this journey we formed friendship groups from different schools in the borough. 

The young people who took part will continue working with Youth Unity on future projects and work with us to help spread awareness that being KIND is important.

The awareness film will be used as an education piece to empower other young people from all areas.

Feedback from the young people ...

Useful contacts

A charity that finds free legal assistance from volunteer barristers for persons unable to afford a lawyer and not eligible for legal aid. Specific eligibility criteria must be satisfied – case-by-case basis. Complete application form online here.​

a registered charity working in London Borough of Bexley to provide effective support for vulnerable young people aged 8-17; who are experiencing a crisis or ongoing problems, which can include material or emotional deprivation, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, social
isolation, bullying, or the effects of dysfunctional family life. They may have a caring role within the
family to a parent or sibling with disability or life illness

A MARAC is a regular local meeting to discuss how to help victims at high risk of serious harm. MARAC brings together representatives from a number of agencies in Bexley to discuss the safety, health and well-being of people experiencing domestic abuse (and their children). All professionals should have access to a nominated domestic
abuse lead who is trained in completing a domestic abuse stalking, harassment and honour-based
violence risk identification checklist (DASH). Email <a href=”mailto:MARAC@bexley.gov.uk”>MARAC@bexley.gov.uk</a> with any enquires.

Weekend/overnight residential opportunities and community based 1:1 support for young people at the risk of criminal activity, gang related, sexual exploitation, knife crime and recidivism. Early help and prevention .

Child and young person mental health services.
Call 0203 260 5200​

If you have any concerns about a child, please contact Children’s Services in the first instance. Call Children’s Services at the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 020 3045 5440 and speak to a social worker
Call:- 020 83037777
020 8303 7171
Address: Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath DA6 7AT

If you have any concerns about a child, please contact Children’s Services in the first instance. Call Children’s Services at the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 020 3045 5440 and speak to a social worker
Call:- 020 83037777
020 8303 7171
Address: Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath DA6 7AT

Mind Bexley: If you are experiencing mental distress, Mind in Bexley can help with services such as advocacy, befriending, information, psychological support services and counselling. Call them on
02083035 816
or visit their get help page.​

A partnership led by the local voluntary sector (Bexley Moorings
Project, Porchlight and Bexley Voluntary Services Council (BVSC)) with the Bexley Children’s
safeguarding partnership Shield have come together to create, promote and support a parent/carer champion network for parents of young people aged 11 – 24 who are at risk of going missing, exploitation, gang affiliation and running county lines in Bexley. The aim is to provide a safe space for parents and carers who may be isolated; frustrated and lonely; seeking the right support and understanding with the issues they and their family face. This will be done through establishing a clear pathway to support, giving a voice and promoting the issues being faced to the wider community in
order to improve everyone’s future.
For further info or to access the survey in a different format please contact Anne Bennett, Bexley Moorings Project on <br>0208 304 960.

Bexley TYS provides advice and guidance at the earliest opportunity to our vulnerable young people who face, or are at risk of exploitation, family violence, parental mental ill health, substance misuse, being excluded from school or at risk of school exclusion, involvement in crime or anti-social behaviour.
Call 020 83037777
and ask for Youth Services.

Emotional support for families and friends bereaved through murder or manslaughter. Listening support is provided by volunteers who have lost a loved one through murder or manslaughter. Regional one to one telephone support.
Call 0845 872 3440.

If you have any concerns about a child, please contact Children’s Services in the first instance. Call Children’s Services at the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 020 3045 5440 and speak to a social worker
Call:- 020 83037777
020 8303 7171
Address: Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath DA6 7AT

Solace Women’s Aid is appointed by the London Borough of Bexley to provide vital domestic abuse services in the borough. Solace offers free advice and support to women, children and men in London to build safe and strong lives. Futures free from abuse and violence. Their community service will deliver a specialist domestic abuse service that provides a One-Stop Shop IDVA service for high-risk cases, an outreach service for media risk cases and resilience-building group programmes. Their aim is that all women, children and men affected by abuse are given the specialist support needed to build safer lives and stronger futures.

For safeguarding concerns and support relating to adults, contact Bexley Council on 0208 3037 777
(Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) and ask for ‘screeners’ or email <a href=”mailto:screeners@bexley.gov.uk”>screeners@bexley.gov.uk</a>

A support service for people representing themselves in the legal process in London courts.  Can provide someone to talk to and attend court with victims, explain the court process, help clients to fill in paperwork, etc. Note they cannot act as representative or give legal advice.
Call 0300 081 0006

An online platform for adults’ mental health and wellbeing to speak with professional counsellors and communities about common issues.

Works with children and young people from the moment they experience or witness a crime, until the time when they and their worker feel they no longer need our support. They focus on reducing risk while increasing protective factors and resilience levels. Call 0808 1689 111
or request support online here.​

Photo's of our filming project ...
team building up the music stage for a festival, with personal protective equipment

Project Hard Graft

by with No Comment Arts & CultureFestival

The Project Hard Graft is a new initiative designed to help young people gain valuable skills in the events management and Construction industries. Working with young people at risk of offending and training them to be ready for work!

It will then be used for training and supporting their journeys into owning their own small business or gaining full or part time employment. Watch out for more information on this amazing project 2022!!

FotoGenix-London Int Film Fest Awards 2021-11

SICK the movie, wins an award at London International Film Festival for best short screen play

by with No Comment Arts & Culture

Paul McKenzie took seven young people over the half term and embarked on a massive film project to highlight the need for more focus on mental health, they didn’t use knives, they didn’t need guns, all that was needed was a passion to change the narrative and a drive for change.

The young people chose to address the mental health issue. So many young people are displaying early signs of mental health challenges and it is this that has inspired the making of the short film SICK.  To reduce stigma, mental health needs to be seen as something that concerns us all. Using film as a platform offers a chance to bring mental health into the spotlight and raise awareness on the indicators that young people can identify with and seek help.

Discussing a film can help people with mental health problems to broach difficult subjects.  Screenings of our films that focus on mental health are used to foster discussion, create empathy and reduce stigma

The Short film SICK went on to be screened exclusively at the National Gallery, making history in black history month by being the first short screenplay to ever be screened at the National Gallery. It has also been selected for awards at other festivals across the globe.

The latest project enables more young people to access training and experience in media and film, with the emphasis of accrediting these workshops for young people that find it hard to access mainstream education. These workshops will promote and enable young people to become more confident in many areas of their lives.

Paul has five sons and understands the need to be congruent in his approach to helping other young people to overcome challenges they may be facing.  Paul remains proud to have contributed to some major changes in the way we address specific issues that challenge communities, especially the issues that affect our youth.

dance

Thank YOUth – Romford Town, Havering

by Arts & CultureCommunity DevelopmentLondon Borough of HaveringNew Projects

Youth Unity are worked with Havering Council to deliver an event which is to celebrate and to say thank you to young people for coping through the lockdown.

The event is a mini festival of and for young people living in Havering showcasing young talent focusing on youth performances, and featuring DJ Pebz who will play between intervals.

DJ PEBZ

I am a up and coming female DJ, from East London with musical knowledge way beyond my years! I am 20 years young. Music is the key to happiness

Auxicon-fontawesome-webfont Instagram

HANR

Hanr is a 16 year old singer, songwriter & performer. She has performed her own songs; cover songs all over the UK & in many cities throughout Europe. She is an accomplished trained singer with a natural talent. Hanr’s recently released single, “Missing you”, a contemporary RnB song, is available now on all platforms.

Facebook Youtube Instagram

LIT YOUTH DANCE

LIT YOUTH are an amazing street dance crew who we have worked with in the past.  Their energy and enthusiasm is infectious 

Instagram

Sayso

From a young age His love for playing football got him noticed by various football scouts and landed him a place at West Ham football academy. A bad injury abruptly stopped that from continuing and a spell of bad company allowed him to get into trouble, which in turn made him homeless at 16. These turn of events lead to a meeting at a hostel with an up and coming rap drill artist called Max who forged a good friendship and music partnership that created his first music venture The Smokey Boys.
 
After a few years and a few released videos the 2 parted company and Boy Sayso became solo and is working on his debut album ‘African London’. Another turn of events led home to play a small part in The first film Blacks can’t swim but now plays one of the  leading roles in the 2nd edition Blacks Can’t Swim the Sequel’
Youtube Instagram
225694928_10221450198459337_7877787279765225413_n

Summer Mobile Project Mobile – Lambeth

by Arts & CultureCommunity Development

The Summer Mobile Project Mobile – Lambeth working in Lambeth Larkall community in a bid to promote and enable the reduction in Serious Youth Violence.  The bus is also a good visual way of alerting young people that there is a unit placed in a specific area at a specific time during the entire summer break. 

By locating the mobile outreach in these wards, we are better equipped to reach the young people that are most at risk. The outreach unit will offer a variety of activities during the designated times in the selected areas. 

Each activity is designed to educate and enhance responsibility among youth. Young people will be able to engage in:

  • Short film screenings specific shorts that address subjects such as mental health and wellbeing. Mentoring engaging with experienced youth workers and organisations 
  • Motivational talks designed to help with goal setting and communication etc. 
  • Interactive games designated gaming console for two players at a time.
  • Film project learning how to use mobile phones to create positive content. Social media awareness advice and help on how to stay safe online

Increased confidence
1 %
reduced anxiety
1 %
inspired
1 %
motivated
1 %
232702200_153218070227281_2637481460722220776_n

51st State Festival: What advice would you give your younger self?

by Arts & CultureFilm ProductionFilms

The promoters of 51st State supported Youth Unity by giving a stand to promote the work we do to help young people and the community.

We asked festival goers “What Advice Would They Give Their Younger Self?” we had some great comments.

We had so much fun!!

Thank you to our sponsors

MS Webb, Cornerstone Group and Tesco Bags of Help, most importantly, thank you to 51st State for the opportunity!

51st State Festival August 2021
HAD IT YET_ - Havering film project)

HAD IT YET? Film Documentary in the pandemic

by Arts & CultureCovid-19Film ProductionFilmsLondon Borough of HaveringNew Projects

This short film highlights some of the concerns and challenges that a community has faced living through a pandemic along with their thoughts on the vaccination.

With the increasing demand for an answers to how we can all remain safe in the current climate of COVID-19, and the need for clarity in regards to the vaccination requirements, we took to the streets of Havering to ask people in public how they experienced the various lockdowns and also to ask them what they thought about the vaccine.

I have already had the vaccine
1 %
definately would
1 %
would not take
1 %
unsure
1 %