HOLLYWOOD came to Ayrshire this week with the premier of a film produced and directed by a group of young people, followed by an Oscars-inspired award ceremony.
The short film entitled ‘Happy Hurlford’ was directed and produced by the group, exploring plans to develop a new community service to support young people in the local area.
A group of cinemagoers, including East Ayrshire Council Provost Councillor Jim Todd, learnt more about how these young people would like to turn their dreams into a reality.
The community-based project will become one of 20 services delivered across the UK thanks to an ambitious partnership between Barnardo’s and Co-op.
The partnership plans to raise £5 million across the UK and support 750,000 young people to access basic needs, improve their mental well-being and create better opportunities.
Before the screening, guests heard directly from young people who have been inspired by the partnership and shared their thoughts on services that would benefit Hurlford.
The young people are being supported by Barnardo’s East Ayrshire Families service, which is rooted in the community of Kilmarnock.
The young people hope to develop plans for a food pantry called ‘Hurlford Helping Hands’, providing low-cost food to the community and supported by local volunteers.
Alongside this, they would like to see more tailored support to help manage their well-being and improve life chances, as well as community improvement projects like bulb planting, litter picking and graffiti removal.
Speaking at the film’s premiere, Linda Nisbet, Children’s Service Manager for Barnardo’s East Ayrshire, said: “We are immensely proud and privileged to have the opportunity to work alongside children and young people from Hurlford.
“It has been a pleasure to be a part of their journey as we work alongside the Co-op to bring communities together and make a difference to young people’s lives.
“Children and young people need support and investment to make their vision of a new community service, including a local food pantry, a reality.
“We hope our supporters in Ayrshire and across the UK will support our fundraising and find out more about the partnership.”
East Ayrshire Council Provost Cllr Jim Todd said: “This innovative film just shows you what our young folk can do with the right influence and the right coaching.
“Our children really have a lot to give in our communities and I have every faith that they will be able to carry Hurlford through and into the future.
“It’s great to see these young folk getting involved in their community and producing this sort of message that can go out into every home and explain to people that we’re here, as a community of young people in Hurlford, to help you.
Research carried out by Barnardo’s and Co-op found that the cost-of-living crisis is having a detrimental effect on young people more than ever before.
This joint research showed that nine in ten young people in the UK today now aspire to ‘cover basic needs’ rather than securing their dream job or buying a house.
In addition, the research found that almost one in four young people start the day without a meal.
To help design and deliver on the partnership, 12 young people across the UK, aged between 16-25, have been recruited to form a Youth Advisory Group.
As paid employees, they’re offering advice and insight into what matters to young people in the country today to help ensure that the partnership meets identified needs.
Corrine, 24, from Glasgow, is a Team Leader of the Barnardo’s and Co-op Youth Advisory Group and was also in attendance at the premiere.
She said: “It is really special to see the young people of Hurlford working to put a service for the community in action because I know they have put in a lot of work to get to this point.
“I have seen the positive impact that Barnardo’s can have on someone’s mental wellbeing and growth.
“The partnership between Barnardo’s and the Co-op is the first one that I have known that works directly with young people, which shows me how important our voices are to them.”
One of the stars of the film, Jasmine, 15, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed this experience even though I was very nervous at first in front of the camera.
“But this opportunity has helped grow my confidence.”
Willow, 15, added: “I’m excited for the new opportunities and seeing how far the Happy Hurlford project will go.
“Looking ahead, I would hope to be a peer mentor and help and support the pantry.”
Eya, 14, also said: “It was a great experience and outside of my comfort zone. Usually I’m a really shy person, so this has helped boost my confidence and be among friends.”
