Cut out image of a stack of paper folders

PROJECTS

We are currently working with several organisations as our Community Partners to deliver projects across the Black Country and Birmingham. These Current Projects range from Community Engagement projects to Employment training.

Continue reading to find out about our Completed Projects and their outcomes....

CURRENT PROJECTS

National Lottery Community Fund - Pathway Employability Programme

We have received a transformational grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to fund our Pathways Employability Programme. We are providing tailored 1-2-1 Employability and Personal Development Support to young people aged 16-35 who are short or long term unemployed and seeking meaningful opportunities.

Open Lens Media team standing holding large pink Community Fund banner

Early Years Consultation 2023

We are conducting consultation work in North Walsall with Walsall Family Hubs to look into ways to improve services in the local area. This work has been commissioned by Walsall Council.

Display board at North Walsall Family Hub with a flyer for Open Lens Media on it

Triangle Trust - Pathway Programme

We have been commissioned by The Triangle Trust 1949 fund to run our 1-2-1 Pathway Programme with Black and Mixed Heritage boys aged 16+ across the West Midlands to build their professional and personal skills and abilities.

Bloxwich Youth Consultancy 2023

Our consultancy work has been commissioned by Walsall Council to find out what services that young people in Bloxwich Town would like to see in the new Incubation and Digital Access centre.

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Walsall Youth Justice 2023

Our second project with Walsall Youth Justice Service had ran to confront issues with the disproportionality of BAME young people in the Justice System and to prevent reoffending, whilst providing guidance on how to reform the system.

ESF Pathway Programme

Our Pathway Programme is a 1-2-1 coaching service tailored to the individual to support their personal development, employment preparation, and help the individual work towards achieving their goals and gain employment opportunities.

Hand writing out personal goals on lined paper

LCCTV at The Lighthouse 2022

LCCTV project ran at The Lighthouse Young People's Centre, Birmingham to train young people on the skills needed to be Content Creators, with the aims of hiring several of the group as Lighthouse Lens Reporters.

Session being taught by facilitator standing in front of one participant who is sat down

Children in Need 2019-22

This project involved several shorter projects:

The Lighthouse 2019 Summer Holiday Project
The Lighthouse 2019 Autumn Holiday Project
Summer 2020 Project
The Lighthouse 2021 Summer Holiday Project

Outside of The Lighthouse Young People's Centre building in Birmingham

Youth Connect Summer 2021

We delivered a Video Production course across 3 weeks for Youth Connect at Pleck Youth Centre for young people aged 10-16. Participants helped to contribute towards the final project which was producing a promotional video for the centre.

Youth Connect group photograph with workers and facilitators

River's House 2021

We worked with some of the residents of River’s House, a temporary housing unit in Walsall, to deliver our Video Production Course, leading to the creation of a documentary about the unit.

One young boy kicking a football on his own in a garden

Walsall Youth Justice 2019-20

This project consisted of individuals who explored barriers into further education, training and employment, creating a 47-minute documentary film which explored issues relating to their past behaviours which consequently made them NEET.

Cadbury College 2018

OLM was able to work with a diverse group of 8 young people from the college, delving into a plethora of skills and knowledge required within the media industry and were able to create a tangible piece of work that they could be proud of.

Black Country Impact 1-to-1s

We have been working under both Walsall and Sandwell Council to deliver programmes under the Black Country Impact Scheme to work with young people who are looking to get into further education, employment or training on an individual basis.

Lighthouse Lens Reporters 2022

Lighthouse Lens Reporters were hired to create content for The Lighthouse Young People's Centre, Birmingham, after receiving training during the LCCTV project.

Lighthouse Lens Reporters smiling in front of pink wall

SHAPE Forum Anti-Bullying 2021-22

OLM delivered a Video Production Training Course to members of the SHAPE Forum teaching the skills needed to develop performances that were used as part of Sandwell Council's Anti-Bullying Roadshow.

Two participants and one facilitator behind a camera which is filming a third participant in a corridor

Just Youth Summer 2021

We connected with Sandwell Council’s Youth Service known as “Just Youth” to train a group of young people in Podcast Production at The Coneygre Arts Centre, and were able to work together to create 2 Podcast Episodes.

Facilitators leading a session whilst standing in front of seated participants

Skate Documentary Summer 2021

OLM produced a Skateboarding documentary for ‘Just Youth’ and Sandwell Council to showcase children being taught how to skate and being provided meals through 5 weeks of events as part of the Government's HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) 2021 scheme.

Open Lens Media staff filming and collecting sound recordings at a skate park with several young people in front of them

Talent Match 2020

We were successful in joining Talent Match's PSN (Preferred Supplier Network) to work with 2 individuals under this contract and delivered a podcasting programme to help develop their confidence and raise their aspirations.

Broadway Academy 2019

OLM worked with high-achieving Year 9 pupils, the Headteacher of Broadway Academy and the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner on this project. Pupils produced a 10-minute documentary film that has since been widely used in governors’ meetings, school conferences, and further afield.