Lozells News Team the stars of a new educational programme
The BBC has chosen to make the Urban Living-funded Lozells News Team the stars of a new educational programme.
The web-based children’s news team – which was set up in partnership with Birmingham City Council’s Housing in Education programme – regularly produces short news stories presented by children from schools in the Lozells area.
Currently the news hounds are working on a documentary about the eco-friendly refurbishment of houses on Carpenters Road and its creation has been chosen as the subject of a special BBC show.
The documentary follows a group of aspiring young film-makers who will be investigating and reporting on the various energy efficiency measures Urban Living has funded, including solar panels, energy-efficient lightbulbs and boilers.
The programme will be screened to raise community awareness of the ways in which individuals can contribute to combating climate change and also to the regeneration of their area.
Urban Living chief executive Adnan Saif, said: “This project has been a huge success, showing how engaging creatively with young people can have a positive effect on the wider community and really help imbed awareness of environmental issues.
“It is absolutely fantastic that the BBC is making a programme about the junior journalists and undoubtedly the work that has been taking place in Lozells will educate and inspire viewers across the country”.
Councillor John Lines, Cabinet Member for Housing, added: “Using media projects like Lozells News helps young citizens to develop an understanding of the link between themselves, housing, and regeneration of their community. We want to encourage them to raise their aspirations and give them confidence to take an active role as citizens.”
The completed eco documentary will be premiered at a environmental conference in July 2010 and the BBC programme is scheduled to air in Spring 2010.
Watch this space!
