Youngsters premiere short film at City Hall – and bag jobs with Boris

Two young people have been offered jobs on Boris Johnson’s Peer Outreach Team after working on a documentary project that culminated in a premiere at London’s City Hall last week (30 June).

Charli Lawrence and Daniel Crane, both 15 and from Dagenham, were surprised on the night by the job offer, which involves them working alongside the Mayor of London on a range of projects across the capital.

A total of eight Key Stage 4 students were involved in the filming and editing of the documentary, which they were inspired to complete after seeing a similar project during a previous visit to City Hall. The film was premiered in front of a prestigious audience including Deputy Mayor Kit Malthouse, former Mayor of Redbridge Councillor Thomas Chan and Rebecca Palmer, Peer Outreach Team Manager.

The event was a fun and inspiring evening which highlighted just how hard the learners had worked to make the documentary and how far they had come in their own personal development. The 18 minute long film’s theme was ‘Power’ and people’s views on what power meant to them. The learners interviewed a variety of staff members from Redbridge College, including the Principal, Theresa Drowley and Martin Narey, Chairman of the Corporation and CEO of Barnardo’s.

Afterwards, the learners were then invited to take the stand and face a Q&A session where the floor was opened to the audience.

Suzanne Levy, Director of Learning for Redbridge College said, “I was overwhelmed by how the students responded to the Q&A sessions. They were articulate, confident and positive in their attitude to their experience of film making. I noticed a huge difference from the students I interviewed in September who struggled to make eye contact and had no idea which direction they wanted to go in the future to the students who presented their work tonight. They make me so proud.”

The Peer Outreach Team was set up in 2006 and consists of a group of 30 young people aged 15 to 25. They deliver work on behalf of the Greater London Authority (GLA) for the benefits of young Londoners. The members come from across London and reflect the city’s diversity with a variety of cultural, religious and racial backgrounds; young people with disabilities; young offenders; and young people in care.

Rebecca Palmer, Peer Outreach Team Manager said, “I am incredibly proud of the students and what they have achieved, and I am so thankful to Redbridge College for getting involved in this project. It just shows you that when a group of people get together and say “we can do this”, things really can happen! We have been so impressed with the students that we have invited two of them to join the Outreach Team where they will get the opportunity to work on a variety of projects across the city.”

Deputy Mayor, Kit Malthouse added, “I am delighted to have been able to welcome the students to City Hall. It really lifts my spirit to see projects like this happening and to see the young people taking control of their own lives and making such a difference in the community.”