WIREDGOV

New media centres help young homeless people from the street to the small screen

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT News Release (139) issued by The Government News Network on 24 July 2007

Communities Minister Iain Wright today launched a network of 10 media training centres which aim to give hundreds of young homeless people the skills to take up jobs in the media and music industries.

The media centres, based in hostels for young homeless people run by the Foyer Federation, will give residents the opportunity to develop skills ranging from cinematography, radio and music production. New partnerships with media organisations will help young homeless people get into careers.

Communities and Local Government has funded the Foyer Federation £350,000 to set up the 10 media centres in England, as part of its £90 million hostels improvement programme.

BBC news presenter and former Strictly Come Dancing star Natasha Kaplinsky today joined Iain Wright at the Brighton and Hove Media Centre to launch the network.

Mr Wright met Jason Rhodes, a resident of Brighton and Hove Foyer, who is now working full time as an assistant at a local music college. Jason developed music production skills at the Foyer and produced a CD that was played at the Brighton festival.

Iain Wright said:
"The Foyer media centres will give real opportunities to young people like Jason to develop new skills, a route into employment and ultimately, sustained independent living.

"Today's launch is part of our £90million hostels improvement programme which is transforming hostels across the country from places that provide a bed for the night and a meal to places of change which give homeless people access to the training and support they need to move on with their lives."

Jason Rhodes said:
"The media centre has helped me to take the first steps towards a career in music. I have learnt and gained more with the media centre than I thought possible. Thanks to the Foyer media suite I have learned about production, arranging and recording of a professional sounding CD. I was really pleased when my music CD was played at the Foyer during the Brighton festival."

BBC Training & Development is sending staff on placements to the media centres to give training, mentoring and practical tips to young people on how to get in and ahead in the media industry.

Natasha Kaplinsky said:
"I'm so pleased to be part of the launch of the Foyer media centres. Working in the media industry, I know that this exciting world will attract the interest of young people. Foyer residents have often seen more of life than most people twice their age so to give an outlet for their creativity is going to produce startling results I'm sure."

Notes to Editors
Since launching in 1992, the UK Foyer network has grown to over 130 local Foyers supporting more than 10,000 homeless 16 to 25 year-olds each year, giving them a chance to realise their full potential. They enable young people at risk to escape the 'no home-no job-no home' cycle by delivering a holistic service that integrates accommodation with training, job search, personal support and motivation. For more information please visit: http://www.foyer.net

The Foyer Federation received £350,000 funding from the Hostels Capital Improvement Programme at the Department for Communities and Local Government to develop the Foyer Media Centres project, designed to provide training, experience and real work opportunities for homeless and disadvantaged young people.

There are ten centres at the following Foyers throughout England:

Birmingham (Trident House Foyer and Edmonds Court Foyer)
Bradford
Brighton & Hove
Exeter
Focus E15 Foyer, East London
Plymouth
Ravenhead
Sunderland
Yeovil

Using media production facilities, the Foyers are working in conjunction with media training providers, broadcasters and production companies to develop a training programme of lasting value to young people.
Brighton and Hove Foyer is run by Sanctuary Housing. Established in 1969, Sanctuary Housing manages over 63,000 properties throughout England and Scotland including general rented, sheltered and supported accommodation, student and key worker accommodation.

For more information on the Foyer Federation or the media centres contact:
Sophie Livingstone, Head of Policy & Communications on 07967 104 695 or sophie@foyer.net

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 4400;
News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk