The media centres, based in hostels for young homeless people run by the Foyer Federation, will give residents the opportunity to develop skills ranging from cinematography to radio and music production. New partnerships with media organisations will help young homeless people get into careers.
Communities and Local Government has funded the Foyer Federation with £350,000 to set up the 10 media centres in England, as part of its £90 million hostels improvement programme.
BBC news presenter and former Strictly Come Dancing star Natasha Kaplinsky today joined Iain Wright at the Brighton and Hove Media Centre to launch the network.
Mr Wright met Jason Rhodes, a resident of Brighton and Hove Foyer, who is now working full time as an assistant at a local music college. Jason developed music production skills at the Foyer and produced a CD that was played at the Brighton festival.
Iain Wright said:
"The Foyer media centres will give real opportunities to young people like Jason Rhodes to develop new skills, a route into employment and ultimately, sustained independent living.
"Today's launch is part of our £90million hostels improvement programme which is transforming hostels across the country from places that provide a bed for the night and a meal to places of change which give homeless people access to the training and support they need to move on with their lives."
Jason Rhodes said:
"The media centre has helped me to take the first steps towards a career in music. I have learnt and gained more with the media centre than I thought possible. Thanks to the Foyer media suite I have learned about production, arranging and recording of a professional sounding CD. I was really pleased when my music CD was played at the Foyer during the Brighton festival."
BBC Training & Development is sending staff on placements to the media centres to give training, mentoring and practical tips to young people on how to get in and ahead in the media industry.
Natasha Kaplinsky said:
"I'm so pleased to be part of the launch of the Foyer media centres. Working in the media industry, I know that this exciting world will attract the interest of young people. Foyer residents have often seen more of life than most people twice their age so to give an outlet for their creativity is going to produce startling results I'm sure."
