New media group launched to build community connections

Members of Bridging the Gap have been interviewing people in the Cornish town of Wadebridge

People we support in Cornwall have been building new connections in their local community as part of a special project.

The Bridging the Gap media group has been set up at Hft’s Resource Centre in Wadebridge, with people who draw on the support of the service conducting a series of interviews with local people.

The media group was the idea of Sam, Jade, Colin and Darron who wanted to share their voices, tell their stories and build stronger connections with the local community.

The group, assisted by Support Worker Dave Hatton, has already interviewed Emma from the John Betjeman Centre and Chris, the owner of The Vine fruit and veg shop where Colin works.

They are now planning to interview representatives from the emergency services and their local MP.

The interviews are being uploaded to the Bridging the Gap YouTube channel. It is hoped in the future to do Podcast interviews.

The group also enjoyed a tour of BBC Radio Cornwall to learn more about how recordings for shows are made and there are now plans to turn one of the rooms at the resource centre into a dedicated podcast room.

Colin said: “It’s been interesting doing the interviews and finding out more about peoples’ lives.”

The project aims to promote inclusion, develop communication skills, build confidence and create meaningful opportunities for people with learning disabilities to engage with the wider community.

You can watch Jane and Sam’s interview with Emma here – https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JXxOPMZKi8c&pp=iggCQAE%3D&ra=m&fbclid=IwVERDUASxw4JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeByBd8gIbcpcZMg2BQI9mHRfkqWTyB7FAZPijCrSdRaCUzgEODGlhxBSc1aw_aem_eA_F1a_xcyKH0Czhf2y8OQ