Over the last 6 months Strong Island Media was one of a number of Hampshire based creative organisations that took part in Hampshire Cultural Trust‘s ICE Project. The project was a collaboration with HCT and Hampshire CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and gave access to young people supported by Hampshire CAMHS and a number of youth support services, charities and organisations to high quality arts activities such as dance, music, film, photography, performance and much more.

The project had over 100 young people getting involved and many of them even achieving Bronze Arts Award certificates. As part of the ICE Project Strong Island Media worked with two Hampshire CAMHS groups and Simon Says, a support organisation for young people suffering from bereavement. We also created the documentary, featuring many of the different arts organisations involved.

The first year of the ICE Project ended with a huge event at The Point, with over 250 people exploring the different art and photography exhibitions plus watching the films, live music and dance performances in the theatre. You can watch a short film about the event HERE.

Simon Says – ‘Who Do You Become?’ Series of 4 Films

We worked with the child bereavement support organisation at The Point in Eastleigh to help them in the creation of a series of four original films exploring young people’s emotional resilience and coping strategies through their journey of loss. Young filmmakers Joe, Charlie, Megan, Sophie, Abi, Rosie, Joel and Millie along with two of the Simon Says volunteers Debbie and June plus help from Ella and Sian, gave their time to create these films. The young people learnt how to write scripts, create storyboards and then how to act, film, direct and more.

We’re so proud of the work the group created, sharing heartfelt and difficult stories of the different stages in a journey of loss and finding hope with others. You can watch the films below in order.

Hampshire CAMHS – ‘This Lost Boy’ Film

Over an intensive film school workshops over three days in New Milton we worked with a group of young people who had been invited by Hampshire CAMHS to get involved. The group created a story, storyboarded and then filmed, directed and acted to create a short film looking at discovering who you are and enable you to be who you want to be. With the intensive three days of pre-production and filming on location the small group were incredible, tackling a subject they felt was important to discuss and striving to achieve an incredible amount of work in such a short time.

Hampshire CAMHS – ‘Journeys’ Film

Over a one day workshop a group from Hampshire CAMHS created a short film that aimed to explore the different stages a young person with mental health issues will have to overcome in seeking help and support. The group created a strong concept before working on scripts and storyboards and then filming each other act the different roles. Considering this film was created from scratch in just 5 hours, the group were absolutely incredible.

ICE Project Documentary

We worked with local filmer, editor & photographer James Sheehy to document many, many different arts activities and groups around Hampshire to create the official documentary film for the 1st year of the ICE Project. Find out from the young people themselves why this project was so important.