SCTV out filming the views of the district (August 16, 2007)

This week a film crew with a difference are out and about across the district canvassing the views of young and old about their district and the things that matter to them.

SCTV (Suffolk Coastal Teen Voice) began filming on Tuesday in Felixstowe, the first of seven towns it is visiting in its efforts to produce a Generation Jigsaw DVD that will be premiered next month.

“We are calling it the Generation Jigsaw because we want to put the spotlight on what matters to young and older people in our district, and then put the pieces together to get an accurate picture of what they are thinking,” said Alex Stewart of SCTV.

“We are asking both groups of people what they think about the other age group and their likes and dislikes. We think that this will be a revealing snapshot which could help the generations understand each other better.

“The aim of the DVD is to make the reputation of young people better among the older generations. Every week in the media, you see stories of how "YOBS" are destroying communities- when in actual fact these young people have done nothing wrong. Even if they have, it’s usually because services are not available for young people to access- services like health nurses, counsellors and even youth clubs. Youths are being left with nothing to do, which is what causes them to behave inappropriately,” added 14 year-old Alex.

The group were filming in Felixstowe and Kesgrave on Tuesday, Woodbridge on Wednesday, Wickham Market and Framlingham on Thursday and Leiston and Saxmundham on Friday.

The final material will be edited and presented at a celebration event on Wednesday, September 12 at 5pm at the Riverside Centre, Stratford St Andrew.

SCTV is the first districtwide forum for young people and aims to promote the reputation of young people in Suffolk Coastal and raise awareness of their needs for local services.

The formation of the group has been assisted by the district’s youth co-ordinator, Keri Mohan, who is funded by the Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership (LSP).

“SCTV is an exciting initiative. If this DVD can successfully identify some of the myths and perhaps prejudices that are held, then ideally both sides of the ‘generation gap’ can start to challenge and change them. I would like a situation where both sides recognise they are all part of the big picture that makes up this district and can work together better to improve the quality of life of all who live here,” said Cllr Doreen Savage of the Suffolk Coastal LSP.

For more information about SCTV visit www.sctv.org.uk or email enquiries@sctv.org.uk , or SCTV at Suffolk Coastal District Council, Melton Hill, Woodbridge IP12 1AU.