01 Feb BAFTA initiative with Place2Be will teach life skills and champion creativity in children
BAFTA has partnered with children’s mental health charity Place2Be on a series of schools events aimed at championing creativity and showcasing soft skills important for emotional wellbeing and career progression.
The events, entitled ‘BAFTA Kids Roadshow with Place2Be’, will take place in 12 towns and cities across the UK between March and November 2017. Each roadshow will include a ‘Behind The Scenes’ assembly featuring role models from BAFTA-nominated and award-winning TV, film and games, and a TV presenting masterclass. An online learning resource based around the masterclass will be available in the coming months.
The year will culminate with ‘BAFTA Kids: Red Carpet Experience’ on the day of the British Academy Children’s Awards in November, which additionally includes children lining the red carpet to collect autographs from their favourite celebrities as they arrive at the ceremony.
In 2016, BAFTA Kids and Place2Be hosted pilot events at two London schools, and a Red Carpet Experience at the Children’s Awards, which were presented by Ben Shires and Katie Thistleton, and featured BAFTA nominated actress, Leona Vaughan (Wolfblood).
Katie Thistleton says: “Alongside sharing brilliant kids’ content directly with the audience and letting them hold the big shiny BAFTA mask, we also get the opportunity to build their confidence and develop their dreams and aspirations. While Place2Be provides mental health support and training, BAFTA shows children what goes on behind the scenes of their favourite TV shows, films and games, and together, children who may have low self-esteem or complicated home lives can have a bit of time out, laughing and joking with their friends, exploring their talents and skills and feeling good about themselves, whilst hopefully being inspired to go forward and use the skills we’ve taught them to shape their futures – whether they want to work in the media or not.”
Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, says: “We know what a powerful role moving image can play in inspiring young people, and helping them to recognise and manage their emotions. We are therefore delighted to be partnering with Place2Be supporting children’s mental health. BAFTA looks forward to visiting schools around the UK, and to seeing all the creative entries to our ‘Power of Kindness’ competition.”
