Watch our Great Film – The Secret Life of The Ranch

This summer, we invited young people in Southmead to make a film about something they cared about – and they chose The Ranch Adventure Playground and Youth Space.

What they have created is a rare chance to step inside our youth and play space and to hear directly from young people – whose voices are not often heard.

In their own words, they share why The Ranch matters to them and the impact it has had on their lives.

We spend a lot of time celebrating The Ranch and for good reason! As staff we know its value as a space for young people – we tell funders, partners, and each other all the time. But we love hearing it from the young people who come to our sessions most of all.

Young people made the film in partnership with Rising Arts Agency, a Bristol-based youth-led creative organisation.  First, we commissioned two facilitators to come along to six youth sessions. The task was to discover aspects of our community and climate that our young people cared about, and to think about the green skills they might need for their futures. Asking questions like could creative production be used as a green skill? Second, we wanted to make a film about the thing that the young people cared about – The Ranch.

Young people at our youth sessions chose their facilitators and filmmaker through an application process. We were honoured that there was such choice in the facilitators and filmmakers who applied to work to with us. We loved working with Ellayah, Molly, and Leo to run sessions and produce this film with us. It was Leo’s first commission through Rising Arts, and he did such a wonderful job. Much gratitude to all three of you!

We would love to know what you think about this film, do contact us and let us know, contact me, Ella, email: ellatainton@southmead.org, or call: 0117 950 3335.

You can find out more info about The Ranch, and our children and young people’s services HERE, and follow us on social media on Facebook HERE and Instagram HERE.

A bit more about Rising Arts Agency:

Rising Arts Agency is a Community Interest Company who fight for true representation of young people aged 18-30 in the creative sector. They do this through commissioning artists, demanding fair pay, advocating for the inclusion of young people in governance, and supporting organisations to adopt more caring and inclusive cultures. To find out more about their work click HERE