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Offering help to youngsters in media
Alestir Waller gave up social work and launched her own media training charity to help troubled black youngsters. Reporter LOUISE TWEDDELL finds out why.
MEDIA for All (MfA) has come a long way since Alestir Waller decided to do something for young black people.
Its Deptford-based production studios are visited daily by youngsters from secondary schools eager to learn how to edit, write scripts and produce programmes.
In 2002, the charity was just a dream for the 42-year-old mother-of-two.
After 15 years working as a
social worker in central London, Alestir realised she wanted to make a real difference to the lives of young black people.
She said: "I'd been working with women with mental health problems, alcohol problems and long-term prostitutes and decided I wanted a change.
"I started to think I could do more than just pay my mortgage.
"For the first time in my life I realised I could choose my own career."
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| Alestir Waller (seated left) with some of the young people who attend Media for All LC6098 |
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Alestir quit her job in 1998 and studied for a degree in professional broadcasting at Ravensbourne College, Chislehurst.
Four years later, having graduated with a first-class degree in 2000, she decided to set up MfA.
Alestir was struck by the under-represenation of black people in the media.
She decided to help equip troubled youngsters with the skills needed to break into the industry.
Alestir added: "I think people thought it was an impossible dream and I had taken on too much, but I slowly built up contacts and people started to
listen."
After months of begging and borrowing, MfA was given a permanent base by the Peabody Trust, an organisation helping to regenerate communities across London.
In July 2004, the charity moved into the Leander Community Centre, Ship Street, Deptford, where an empty room was turned into a studio.
Financial help, including Lottery cash and partnerships with the police, the BBC and Community Service Volunteers helped MfA get established
Since then, more than 200 youngsters have used the centre to learn new skills.
Two are now working in the
industry - one as a BBC
researcher and the other who made a film for Channel 4 about the lives of modern Asian women.
Grants from the Home Office and bodies including the Deptford Challenge Trust help provide the £250,000 needed each year to keep MfA afloat.
Record producer Damon Dash and presenter and DJ Trevor Nelson are among those who have worked with the young people.
Alestir said: "It's nice to give something back really. I had quite a privileged upbringing.
"I knew I could combine my
experience as a social worker with my new experience in media to pull it off."
This year has seen exciting times for MfA.
It is to produce six music programmes for black satellite channel Ben TV.
It has also opened a new centre in the Windsor Castle pub in Deptford High Street, which even has its own radio station.
And Alestir has also received recognition for her hard work.
Last month, she was given an award by the European Federation of Black Women Business Owners.
The federation, set up in 1996 to recognise the achievements of black businesswomen, presented her with its Training Award.
This was in recognition for her commitment to teaching and passing on her skills.
Alestir added: "I was surprised and excited. To be chosen in this way is a real achievement.
"The award is amazing but the real reason I do this is for the kids.
"After a few weeks here you can see a change in them and that is what's important.
"It's all about helping people to improve their lives."
Visit the charity's website at mediaforall.co.uk
3:26pm Wednesday 29th November 2006
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CommentPosted by: Cally -Lewisham Resident aged 15. on 3:39am Thu 30 Nov 06
So what about the white kids then? Are we just meant to rot away?? If someone set up a facility like this exclusivly for whites there would be an imeadate outcry against it. Surely these oppertunities should be given to all young people. There may be less black people involved in he media, well maybe it's because their culture often leads them to other types of jobs. Being white in this country gives me a better chance, oh balls, currently it seems to be making it harder. Everywhere i go i'm bombarded with black this black that, i ahev no problem with any of it, just don;t shove it in my bloody face the whole constant time and then call me racist or whatever for listening to the type of music I like or the way I dress. How the **** can we be expected to me this whole multi-cultrual nation that everyoen keeps going on about if we're basicly being taught that we're different, so-and-so people are specil. When it comes down to it we're the same, we all live in the same place and should live by the same rules. I've lived in Lewisham my whole life and now i am the one being spat at my large gangs of other teenagers because of the colour of my skin and hair, the fact that i don't use gel in my hair, the fact that i don't like R&B etc etc, the one being told to "go back home from Lewisham "Getto" as it's now often refered to. But i just think that's it's really sad that adults who franky should know better and are the ones blabbering on constantly about how we need to mix with other cultures can surport segegation such as this. If you left us to learn about our different ways of life between ourselves rather than showcasing it and boring everyone to death with constant padering to these 'specil' minority groups there would be no problem. We're all specil because we're the future and constantly reminding us of our differences insn't going to help us in making a better job of the world than you have..and that is a giant old mess.
So what about the white kids then? Are we just meant to rot away?? If someone set up a facility like this exclusivly for whites there would be an imeadate outcry against it. Surely these oppertunities should be given to all young people. There may be less black people involved in he media, well maybe it's because their culture often leads them to other types of jobs. Being white in this country gives me a better chance, oh balls, currently it seems to be making it harder. Everywhere i go i'm bombarded with black this black that, i ahev no problem with any of it, just don;t shove it in my bloody face the whole constant time and then call me racist or whatever for listening to the type of music I like or the way I dress. How the **** can we be expected to me this whole multi-cultrual nation that everyoen keeps going on about if we're basicly being taught that we're different, so-and-so people are specil. When it comes down to it we're the same, we all live in the same place and should live by the same rules. I've lived in Lewisham my whole life and now i am the one being spat at my large gangs of other teenagers because of the colour of my skin and hair, the fact that i don't use gel in my hair, the fact that i don't like R&B etc etc, the one being told to "go back home from Lewisham "Getto" as it's now often refered to. But i just think that's it's really sad that adults who franky should know better and are the ones blabbering on constantly about how we need to mix with other cultures can surport segegation such as this. If you left us to learn about our different ways of life between ourselves rather than showcasing it and boring everyone to death with constant padering to these 'specil' minority groups there would be no problem. We're all specil because we're the future and constantly reminding us of our differences insn't going to help us in making a better job of the world than you have..and that is a giant old mess.
Posted by: Darren on 11:45am Thu 30 Nov 06
What a disgrace, Kids of all backgrounds need extra.
By putting the name Black this causes racism and unrest.
What a disgrace, Kids of all backgrounds need extra.
By putting the name Black this causes racism and unrest.
Posted by: Dale on 12:30pm Thu 30 Nov 06
This is clear racism, can you imagine the uproar if it was a story about helping the white youth?, this country is driving me mad, I will be leaving for canada, soon, like a rat leaving a sinking ship,
This is clear racism, can you imagine the uproar if it was a story about helping the white youth?, this country is driving me mad, I will be leaving for canada, soon, like a rat leaving a sinking ship,
Posted by: mother on 2:35pm Thu 30 Nov 06
IAM A MOTHER OF 3 BRITISH WHITE CHILDREN. DO NOT AGREE WITH RACISM. BUT IF YOUR HEADLINES HAD WHITE CHILDREN HEADED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTED AS RACISM. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE COUNTRY THE PRESS SEEM TO HIT A SORE POINT EACH TIME WITH RACISM MAKING WHITE CHILDREN LOOK LIKE RACIST YOBS ALL THE TIME .NO WONDER THEY HAVE NOW GOT A DONT CARE ATTUITDE COME ON WAKE UP PRESS AND WRITE SOMETHING NICE ABOUT OUR WHITE YOUTH FOR ONCE AND TREAT THEM ALL THE SAME.
IAM A MOTHER OF 3 BRITISH WHITE CHILDREN. DO NOT AGREE WITH RACISM. BUT IF YOUR HEADLINES HAD WHITE CHILDREN HEADED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTED AS RACISM. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE COUNTRY THE PRESS SEEM TO HIT A SORE POINT EACH TIME WITH RACISM MAKING WHITE CHILDREN LOOK LIKE RACIST YOBS ALL THE TIME .NO WONDER THEY HAVE NOW GOT A DONT CARE ATTUITDE COME ON WAKE UP PRESS AND WRITE SOMETHING NICE ABOUT OUR WHITE YOUTH FOR ONCE AND TREAT THEM ALL THE SAME.
Posted by: Carl on 3:57pm Thu 30 Nov 06
This is definitely a racist article, but we all know you won't get chastised for this!
This is definitely a racist article, but we all know you won't get chastised for this!
Posted by: AWD on 4:50pm Thu 30 Nov 06
I say good luck to them. As long as they stop bleating about how hard done by they are [quote]"Alestir was struck by the under-represenation of black people in the media"[/quote] this is a joke right?? never watched cbbc then?
About time more people started schemes for whites and had the balls to stand up to the PC idiots who call them racists
Mark
[bold]www.allwhitedating.com[/bold]
admin
I say good luck to them. As long as they stop bleating about how hard done by they are
"Alestir was struck by the under-represenation of black people in the media"
this is a joke right?? never watched cbbc then?
About time more people started schemes for whites and had the balls to stand up to the PC idiots who call them racists
Mark
www.allwhitedating.com
admin
Posted by: Adam on 5:11pm Thu 30 Nov 06
Oh right, so i'd be refused help because i'm white? Pathetic.
Oh right, so i'd be refused help because i'm white? Pathetic.
Posted by: Richard Jarvis on 7:45pm Thu 30 Nov 06
I agree very strongly with the comments above and it's about time we stand up to all this complete nonsence. Forced multicultural society, special black only or relaxed law for non British origined persons does not work and it's just plain common sence that proceeding with unequal branded as equal will cause uprisings amongst the land. True equal would be in this case 'Offering help to all youngsters'. No black, no white no specific race.
Due to this special treatmeant given to those who are of different origins it has caused many people from these backgrounds to think they really are special and are ahead of everyone and have an authority status above the law. This is clearly visible in London almost everywhere and in nearby surrounding towns which are having a forced multicultural society.
There are lots to debate on with this topic but that is for another time.
I am in no way saying that whole races of non British origin are completely bad but really everyone needs to look at this evergrowing problem before it stirs up into one huge mess, like back in the times it when it was the otherway round. It appears we have not learnt from this still
I agree very strongly with the comments above and it's about time we stand up to all this complete nonsence. Forced multicultural society, special black only or relaxed law for non British origined persons does not work and it's just plain common sence that proceeding with unequal branded as equal will cause uprisings amongst the land. True equal would be in this case 'Offering help to all youngsters'. No black, no white no specific race.
Due to this special treatmeant given to those who are of different origins it has caused many people from these backgrounds to think they really are special and are ahead of everyone and have an authority status above the law. This is clearly visible in London almost everywhere and in nearby surrounding towns which are having a forced multicultural society.
There are lots to debate on with this topic but that is for another time.
I am in no way saying that whole races of non British origin are completely bad but really everyone needs to look at this evergrowing problem before it stirs up into one huge mess, like back in the times it when it was the otherway round. It appears we have not learnt from this still
Posted by: Cally -Lewisham Resident aged 15. on 7:48pm Thu 30 Nov 06
Wow! i've really started soemthing off here!!
[quote]this is a joke right?? never watched cbbc then?[/quote] I totally agree with you, even though i haven't watched it in a couple of years it was still stuffed with programmes in which coming from a white background i had no idea what any of the jokes meant, i can only have nightmares about what it must be liek now. Tehre is absolutly no problem with having A programme like that, but seeing as this is BRITAIN and we are living in a BRITISH society it should not be the type of television that dominates. Bring back the Clangers!!
Wow! i've really started soemthing off here!!
this is a joke right?? never watched cbbc then?
I totally agree with you, even though i haven't watched it in a couple of years it was still stuffed with programmes in which coming from a white background i had no idea what any of the jokes meant, i can only have nightmares about what it must be liek now. Tehre is absolutly no problem with having A programme like that, but seeing as this is BRITAIN and we are living in a BRITISH society it should not be the type of television that dominates. Bring back the Clangers!!
Posted by: Des on 9:46am Fri 1 Dec 06
Being a Black man, I have to 100% agree with the comments above, we need to do things together that way we will understand and respect each other, all these separatist groups do nothing to help any race mix in everyday life.
You see it all the time Indian women's group, Black group this and even the Irish.
At the end of the day this causing ill feeling, why don't the powers that be let us all get on without segregating us from the world around.
Every child deserves the right to join these clubs to help with the furture
Being a Black man, I have to 100% agree with the comments above, we need to do things together that way we will understand and respect each other, all these separatist groups do nothing to help any race mix in everyday life.
You see it all the time Indian women's group, Black group this and even the Irish.
At the end of the day this causing ill feeling, why don't the powers that be let us all get on without segregating us from the world around.
Every child deserves the right to join these clubs to help with the furture
Posted by: Richard Jarvis on 11:21am Fri 1 Dec 06
A friendly greeting to Des above, an example of the many kind, in this case black people out there.
This friendly non classifying or forced mix works well to a true civilized society.
A friendly greeting to Des above, an example of the many kind, in this case black people out there.
This friendly non classifying or forced mix works well to a true civilized society.
Posted by: Simon (web editor) on 3:12pm Fri 1 Dec 06
Just for the record, white youngsters can and do use Alestir's centre.
Alestir set up Media for All because black people ARE significantly under-represented in the media industry.
This is not an article about white members of society being excluded.
It is a story about one woman's decision to help members of her community, to give something back and offer children chances they would otherwise have missed out on.
On reflection, the original headline could have been better slightly better and this has been amended, but the rest of the feature stands up perfectly well.
Just for the record, white youngsters can and do use Alestir's centre.
Alestir set up Media for All because black people ARE significantly under-represented in the media industry.
This is not an article about white members of society being excluded.
It is a story about one woman's decision to help members of her community, to give something back and offer children chances they would otherwise have missed out on.
On reflection, the original headline could have been better slightly better and this has been amended, but the rest of the feature stands up perfectly well.
Posted by: Richard Jarvis on 9:37pm Fri 1 Dec 06
Even so there are still too many 'RACE ONLY' places set up, like special black only schools which have been getting a lot of press recently.
When you come to anothers country you should prepare to accept an equal status amoungst those that live in it. Meaning no lets just move country and set up like it's our own to do just what you did back home but use the countries wealth as an advantage to have a better life and be served to all demands using the 'you're racist if you don't give us this' remark.
If you move here or anywhere regardless of your race, you have to be prepared to let go of some of your culture and respect and join in with the culture of the country you are living in. In return we can all respect each other and learn from each others backgrounds which is something you are less likely to get in segregation. Segregation causes a rift between different races and does not create what this country pides itself on 'A multicultural society.
I think some intresting points have been brought up here which really should be talked about further on another topic
Even so there are still too many 'RACE ONLY' places set up, like special black only schools which have been getting a lot of press recently.
When you come to anothers country you should prepare to accept an equal status amoungst those that live in it. Meaning no lets just move country and set up like it's our own to do just what you did back home but use the countries wealth as an advantage to have a better life and be served to all demands using the 'you're racist if you don't give us this' remark.
If you move here or anywhere regardless of your race, you have to be prepared to let go of some of your culture and respect and join in with the culture of the country you are living in. In return we can all respect each other and learn from each others backgrounds which is something you are less likely to get in segregation. Segregation causes a rift between different races and does not create what this country pides itself on 'A multicultural society.
I think some intresting points have been brought up here which really should be talked about further on another topic
Posted by: MOTHER on 7:49pm Sun 3 Dec 06
iam glad the heading of the story has been changed, but it does not amend all of the past headed storys which as i like reading the newshopper with regards to local issues, i seem to notice more and more remarks concerning youths ,most white youths with storys about being racist and i for one am sick of the bad press our children get it seems we are segregating our race or should i say our future adults with headed remarks like this and it seems most unfare please think before the paper prints comments like that can only do more harm than good.
iam glad the heading of the story has been changed, but it does not amend all of the past headed storys which as i like reading the newshopper with regards to local issues, i seem to notice more and more remarks concerning youths ,most white youths with storys about being racist and i for one am sick of the bad press our children get it seems we are segregating our race or should i say our future adults with headed remarks like this and it seems most unfare please think before the paper prints comments like that can only do more harm than good.
Posted by: Jens Winton on 1:23pm Mon 4 Dec 06
This is a misunderstood issue that needs to be tackled. I welcome all readers to view my post at this site's blog.
This is a misunderstood issue that needs to be tackled. I welcome all readers to view my post at this site's blog.
Posted by: Delila Golightly on 5:47pm Mon 4 Dec 06
I've worked with Alestir in the past and she's doing an incredible job in a very deprived part of London. She's really making a difference to the lives of both white and black kids and I'm sure she would welcome any of you to her project with open arms, regardless of the colour of your skin. So before you start criticising Alestir why don't you all think about what you have done today to help someone else maybe less well off than you. Then stop your moaning and go out and make a difference like she has done.
I've worked with Alestir in the past and she's doing an incredible job in a very deprived part of London. She's really making a difference to the lives of both white and black kids and I'm sure she would welcome any of you to her project with open arms, regardless of the colour of your skin. So before you start criticising Alestir why don't you all think about what you have done today to help someone else maybe less well off than you. Then stop your moaning and go out and make a difference like she has done.
Posted by: Jens Winton on 6:51pm Mon 4 Dec 06
Delila, in fairness to previous posters, they were only reacting to what was in the story. Anyone reading it would think it was a Black-only project. A debate is long overdue on resolving race issues in Britain and ought not to be burdened by challenges on what others have done for those less well off. Alestir has chosen her vocation and good luck to her. Others exercise their own free will in what they wish to do and have every right to criticise as they see fit in as much as you are free to criticise them.
Delila, in fairness to previous posters, they were only reacting to what was in the story. Anyone reading it would think it was a Black-only project. A debate is long overdue on resolving race issues in Britain and ought not to be burdened by challenges on what others have done for those less well off. Alestir has chosen her vocation and good luck to her. Others exercise their own free will in what they wish to do and have every right to criticise as they see fit in as much as you are free to criticise them.
Posted by: Alestir Waller, Deptford on 2:03pm Fri 9 Feb 07
Media for All works with all young people regardless of race. The article chose to focus on the work we do with young black people. But we also work with other races and ages. We work with young single parents as well as white young people from Lewisham, I would just like to make it clear that Media for All works with everyone and that we will never turned anyone away. We are not reponsible on the angle that each reporter wants to take, but I hope that this statement will clear up any misunderstanding the article may have given. Media for All is committed to equal opportunities
Media for All works with all young people regardless of race. The article chose to focus on the work we do with young black people. But we also work with other races and ages. We work with young single parents as well as white young people from Lewisham, I would just like to make it clear that Media for All works with everyone and that we will never turned anyone away. We are not reponsible on the angle that each reporter wants to take, but I hope that this statement will clear up any misunderstanding the article may have given. Media for All is committed to equal opportunities
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