Member Article

Media Savvy Presents Shine

Sunderland based Community Interest Company, Media Savvy Training Solutions, is preparing to host ‘SHINE’, their first official exhibition that will celebrate the achievements of their learners, and showcase the creative work they have produced throughout the academic year.

Supported by the University of Sunderland, Gentoo and Sunderland Council, ‘SHINE’ will give Media Savvy the opportunity to showcase the fantastic digital arts and media projects completed by their learners. The initiative, which will be held at The Design Centre, University of Sunderland, Aug 8th between 7-9pm, aims to highlight the wealth of skills and talent uncovered in their workshops.

Established in 2010, Media Savvy promotes employability, education and creativity through the medium of digital arts and media, and often focuses on socially themed projects. They deliver accredited workshops to marginalised and hard to reach groups, including offenders, those with mental ill health, refugees, NEETS and young people excluded from mainstream education.

Managing Director of Media Savvy, Dan Makaveli said: “We have toyed with the idea of having an end of year exhibition since we started the company in 2010 and we are delighted that it is finally happening! It is moments and events like this that truly reinforce our belief in what we do and why we are doing it.

“Over the past year we have had some learners who really have ‘shone’ and achieved great things both as part of, and outside of the course. Some of the guys have never being given a real chance and the right encouragement to succeed. We feel it is our duty to give them this rare opportunity to be celebrated and the centre of attention and we are delighted to finally be able to realise our vision for SHINE.”

Media Savvy promotes employability skills, using a ‘learning by stealth’ approach, through a variety of creative practices, in an inclusive, fun and informal environment. Digital image and video projects are the main focus during the sessions. Groups often comprise of mixed abilities and individual needs are taken into consideration, working in a way that learners do not feel overwhelmed and peer explaining is advocated.

Lead Creative Tutor and exhibition organiser, Lisa Miller, Media Savvy, said: “It has been a privilege to get to know our learners, working with them not only to achieve educational goals, but also to inspire them to re-enter education, and or employment; to build confidence and skills.

“To reinforce this, I came up with the idea of ‘SHINE!’. Showcasing what they are capable of, giving them the experience of having a piece of work exhibited, and hopefully instilling a sense of pride in what they have created and achieved.”

Media Savvy has continued to go from strength to strength and has been recognised in various business awards, including the inaugural Lloyds TSB Enterprise Awards in which they were named Best Start-up business in the North East and Yorkshire from over 200 short-listed.

Now in their fourth year of trading, Media Savvy are looking to broaden their scope of activity and will soon be launching new nationally recognised qualifications which relate to health, fitness and nutrition as well as creative arts and craft activities, along with a ‘SHINY’ new website.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Marie Donnelly .