Summer school shines inclusive light on filmmaking and creative industries
Published: 4 August 2025
Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have gained skills in creative arts and filmmaking while getting a taste of life at the University of Glasgow.
Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have gained skills in creative arts and filmmaking while getting a taste of life at the University of Glasgow.
Throughout July, around 20 young participants from areas including Castlemilk, Drumchapel, Easterhouse and Govan were able to learn about camera operation, filming, editing, graffiti painting, sound, SFX and the wide range of opportunities that exist for diverse individuals across these sectors.
The Create, Make & Innovate Filmmaking Summer School project focused on creative entrepreneurship, widening participation and community engagement, and was run by academics and practitioners at the University’s School of Culture & Creative Arts with the support of key partners GMAC and SWG3.
Sessions introduced the young people to University spaces, filmmaking, sound recording and the art of special effects. Participants built up skills along with a body of creative work which they celebrated at a showcase event at the end of the project.
The programme – which took place over several days and weekends in July – provided the team with practical evidence and learning about a longer-term project that they hope will make use of spaces and facilities within the School in support of civic and community partners and Glasgow’s young people.
The Summer School programme aligned with the School’s commitment to work with diverse cultural, creative arts and community partners in the city through innovative courses and programmes. Partners GMAC and SWG3 also hosted sessions for the young people as part of the programme, and other community groups that contributed to the success of the project included Community Transport Glasgow, Music Broth (instrument provision) and The Clutha Trust (the supplying of pizzas).
The Create, Make & Innovate Filmmaking Summer School was funded by the University of Glasgow’s Innovation Cluster Development Fund that was supported by the Scottish Funding Council University Innovation Fund and the UK government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Head of School of Culture & Creative Arts Professor Karen Lury said: “The Summer School was a pilot project designed to evidence how we can have viable, sustainable and, above all, relevant connections to our communities.
“We wanted to demonstrate that the creative industries are open to everyone and to dismantle the ‘invisible’ barriers to young people who have the enthusiasm and emerging skills that could make them a vital part of the local talent pool but who might never have imagined that there could be careers for them in what can seem like an ‘insiders’ industry.
“What we have learned is that our local, granular and holistic approach works, creating not just the ambitions to work in the creative industries but also building the confidence to see those ambitions as achievable.”
Project delivery co-leads Tarka Heath and Jayme Bartlett said: “We built a framework for the summer school, but the young people steered the creative content. This process highlighted the importance of listening, stepping back when needed, and encouraging creative exploration in a supportive environment.
“The project was a powerful reminder of how creativity and co-learning can create safe spaces for young people to express themselves, build confidence, and develop transferable life-long skills, and what stood out most was the dedication, openness and courage that blossomed within the group.”
One young person commented: “The film making school opened my eyes to new opportunities and made me see myself doing so many other jobs in the film making industry”. Another noted: “I [now] feel less intimidated by the thought of trying to break into these industries. the summer school made it a very welcoming experience.”
Creative Placemaking and Social Impact Lead at SWG3 Laura Frood added: “This approach generates a ‘ripple effect’ in which there are a host of beneficiaries – from community groups, schools, freelancers and our students and academics – laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable social and economic regeneration.
“The young people committed to the Summer School despite many of them facing a variety of challenges – and their pride and enthusiasm in their achievement was clear.”
Developing the Young Workforce School Co-ordinator at King's Park Secondary School & Castlemilk High School Claire Linning said: “One of the most rewarding outcomes I noticed was the pride the young people showed in the work they created. For many of them, this was their first experience with this kind of creative project, and having the chance to showcase their film at the final event gave them a strong sense of achievement and ownership.
“The programme was very well planned to be inclusive and supportive. Staff made the effort to visit our school beforehand to build trust and familiarity with the participants, and providing transportation ensured all young people could attend without difficulty. These thoughtful steps made a real difference in encouraging full participation and creating a welcoming, supportive environment for everyone involved.”
Caption, title image: (left to right) Jay Hargreaves (student volunteer), Robbie Graham (participant), Lacie Jones (participant), Rileigh McCluskey (participant), Kathryn Willens (UofG Partnerships Manager), Tarka Heath (Project Delivery Co-Lead), Grace Thomson (participant), Ciara-Rae Eardley (participant), Kayley Satti ( participant), Sofia Jaeger (participant), Paul Tonner-Keeley(participant), Luisa Connarty (student volunteer), Nicole Semple (participant), Natazsa Stec (participant), Zahra Al-Jafa (participant), Prof Karen Lury (Head of School of Culture & Creative Arts), Ulvik Aziz (participant), Connor McCue (participant), Louise Flynn (participant), Stewart Gallacher (participant), Jayme Bartlett (Project Delivery Co-Lead
First published: 4 August 2025