YOUNG people might complain they stuggle to find fun and affordable things to do in their holidays.
But help is at hand for teenagers in Oxford this year in the shape of a new website built by a group of tech-savvy youngsters that will showcase a range of free summer activities.
The Digital Youth Collective is made up of a dozen teenagers from Oxfordshire who are making films for a website they are developing called Free Oxford, as part of Film Oxford’s Summerscreen Festival this month.
Film Oxford – a charity based in East Oxford – started the Digital Youth Collective 18 months ago to help young people develop their skills in filmmaking.
The centre in Catherine Street received a £5,850 grant from Oxfordshire County Council’s The Positive Activities fund for the project and Film Oxford’s centre director, Geron Swann is delighted with the results so far.
He said: “It’s going really well. This project is about helping those who do not have disposable income to get more involved with free activities in Oxford.”
Free activities shown in the films include ice hockey sessions at the Oxford Ice Rink in Oxpens Road and skateboarding at Meadow Lane Recreation Ground in East Oxford, led by registered charity, Oxford Wheels Project.
Michail Schiastney, 18, from Rose Hill, who has completed his studies at Cheney School, said: “The website is a great idea and helps us to learn new skills.
“Filming is one of my hobbies, but I’m enjoying building the website too.”
The Digital Youth Collective was responsible for creating the idea for the website, which will launch on July 24, and pitching it to Oxfordshire County Council for funding.
- The project ties in with Film Oxford’s Summerscreen festival from this Saturday to Sunday, July 28, which hosts a number of free screening events across Oxford.Visit filmoxford.org/summerscreen
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here