Stockport Mayor Walter Brett opened the SAZ MEDIA festive community event last Saturday at Merseyway Shopping Centre.
The event recognised young beneficiaries aged 12-17 who attended the SAZ MEDIA photography workshop over a period of 5 weeks, it was also an opportunity for young people to gain enterprise skills through creating photography goods to sell.
Sara Auty (29, Stockport) from SAZ MEDIA started a Crowdfunding campaign in October 2018 to make this happen. Sara raised £1250 to provide 15 young people the opportunity to gain media skills whilst improving their wellbeing and then hosting an end of year celebration event.
The event included participation from other local community organisations that work with young people in Stockport, including Project.INC, Ceracycloan, Pure Innovations, Tea Party at the Zoo and Isabelle Ferguson Illustration. Tea party at the zoo were able to offer free jewellery making workshops and Isabelle Ferguson offered a free Christmas card making workshop. Other stall holders included Ben Redshaw Photography (under 16, a young entrepreneur that attends the SAZ MEDIA workshops, and Tolu Sholanke (23), a deaf photography tutor at the SAZ MEDIA workshops.
SAZ MEDIA also had young singers Rachel Redshaw (20) and Madeline Shaw-MacKay (Under 16) performing to keep the crowd entertained.
SAZ Media Director, Sara Auty said,
“The workshops have been extremely successful and have seen young people with low self-esteem, mental health issues and Autism succeed in creating expressive and technical photographs, alongside making new friends, seeing different perspectives and building resilience. Our ultimate goal is to generate conversation around community and wellbeing through creative media workshops. Our energy is now focused on accessing more funding to support the continuing of theses fantastic workshops.”
Stockport based film & photography social enterprise SAZ MEDIA has delivered photography workshops that support health and wellbeing to 48 young people aged 12-17 across the Stockport area since July 2018. The workshops and exhibitions have drawn the community closer together by creating conversation between families, young people and the public around photography, health and wellbeing and the Stockport area. SAZ MEDIA hopes to continue raising money to support the ongoing need for young people to develop media skills, reduce isolation and increase their health and wellbeing.
Mayor Walter Brett said
“Events like these are a great opportunity for young people and the community to create photography and the artwork is amazing.”
Workshop participant, Leah Wild added,
“The SAZ MEDIA photography workshops have been a great experience. It helped me to learn how to use a camera and I discovered resilience and social skills. I have met new people with similar interests and it’s been a fantastic experience- I really recommend the workshops to others.”
Workshop participant, Ben Redshaw said,
“The workshops are amazing, interesting and enjoyable. Furthermore, I have learnt new and exciting tricks and tips with my camera.”
Parent, Lynsey Sinclair concluded:
“My daughter has been happier, more positive and has had something to look forward to over these past 5 weeks. She is taking more consideration when taking a photo and her confidence has grown too. The workshop has been a very positive and wonderful experience.”