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Press release Friday 31 December 2010
Oldham’s TV Guru Keith Lucas awarded MBE The driving force behind the successes of Street College, Keith Lucas, is to be awarded an MBE in the New Years’ Honours List for his services to young people from the Department of Education. As a well-known figure in the world of television production and the North West he will receive the award in the New Year. Already a TV Emmy award winner, Keith established Street College in 2005 using his own funding and with little else apart from 100 per cent dedication and determination. To date over 40 projects have been completed, all culminating in a film production or some kind of final product involving media where the students learn with professional camera operators, writers, editors and other technicians. Over 3,000 young people have been reached, coming from schools or local community groups and all ‘open door’ type projects. Keith said: “I was totally bowled over when I heard the news and obviously delighted to receive such a tremendous honour. Although I feel it is important to recognise that this award reflects the hard work and talent of those involved particularly the young people. Each and every young person who has received training from Street College is honoured today.” Street Colleges’ intention is to reach out to as many underprivileged young people or those who have special needs and abilities, or those who have social and welfare issues, to train in the art and craft of media production. The aim is to help them realise they have talent and much to offer society as well as acknowledgement that they can have a future. Local teenagers have been given the chance to work with top industry professionals to create their own mini TV dramas. Youngsters receive training and advice at Oldham based Street College. One well known success was when a group of young people in care were given the chance to work alongside award-winning scriptwriter Steve Brady (Silent Witness and Murphy’s Law) and top TV director Paul Murphy (Hollyoaks, Brookside and Casualty) to create the mini drama ‘United We Fall’. Hollyoaks actors Matt Littler and Donna Henry were also on hand to offer advice and support. A more sustainable training programme has been developed giving all those who complete the course an Arts Council Combined Arts Bronze Award accreditation. Recognised by Oldham College and the University of Huddersfield it offers those interested an entry to further and higher education. In addition, it is part of the new National Diploma Learning for Life campaign. Editors notes: Should you want to interview Keith Lucas please contact him on 07545 939724.  Website: www.streetcollege.co.uk The educative approached that Keith uses requires innovation to achieve the amazing end results that have been achieved, as a traditional approach to education had already failed for these young people, so ‘thinking outside the box’ became the need. Keith believes it is important that young people’s talents should not be contained (as in a formal coursework approach) but that they should be expanded on – not to measure and assess at the outset (which leads to disqualifying) but to discover ability through the projects and then supporting that ability and working from the premise that everyone is brilliant at something. This is a non-judgemental approach that re-establishes confidence and recognising the needs of others and being respectful, so not only do they learn about media production, discovering their own talents but social interaction and polishing up on basic skills such as reading and writing as well. Many of these young people have suffered rejection in some form of another, so learning to give something back, in a creative manner, has been a major achievement. Keith’s entrepreneurial ambition has been the driving force behind Street College. He has been brave in taking on young adults who have either been largely disowned by society or who are considered second-class and unlikely to achieve very much. He has been accepting of all the responsibility that has fallen on his shoulders as each project success procures another and that likewise failure would mean an end to funding – funding that has been begged and borrowed from every possible local and national outlet that he could find. Every level has seen him commit 100 per cent and more – a labour of love indeed. ______________________________________________________________
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