21 - Young people bring fostering reality to TV

 

A group of foster carers’ birth children and young people they care for are to create a four-part reality television production about the impact of fostering on their lives.  The group was successful in obtaining nearly £20,000 from Mediabox funded through the Department of Children, Schools and Families.

 

‘Fostering reality’ will tackle key issues that the young people have decided they want to highlight.  They have written scenarios covering bullying, homophobia, emotional and behavioural difficulties and misconceptions of fostering.  But the group are also keen to portray the fun side of fostering. 

 

The young people will take a lead in all aspects of production including research, acting, interviewing, directing, graphic design through to editing the final DVD.  Filming has already begun and will take place at locations across the borough.

 

The group will be supported by a range of professionals in TV production and performing who will guide them through the entire process.  The group will be supported by their foster carers and two psychologists will be on-hand to deal with any sensitive issues which may arise.

 

In addition to the four ten-minute episodes there will be a series of workshops which will consider how and why the media generally depicts negative stereotypes of young people.

 

“This is a unique opportunity for fostered children to work closely with foster carers’ own children through film-making.   By working in front and behind the camera they will learn useful new skills for the future and develop their self-confidence.  The finished DVD should provide a great insight into the fostering in Dudley from a young person’s perspective.”