Statistics show that the likelihood of a person having a car crash under the age of 25 is very high. With this knowledge, Rachel, 19, has channelled her creative talents into developing a road safety initiative to help reduce accidents. What started out as a media studies film project to highlight the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving has now become an educational tool-kit used throughout schools and colleges to help prevent injuries and fatalities.
Rachel has created a film that educates through the portrayal of a chain of events that the audience will relate to. Young partners are shown arguing at home and then a tragic scene follows where death occurs because a driver answers a call on their mobile phone.
Rachel’s fire for this issue was first recognised by the North Wales Police (NWP) after a beat manager saw her film and alerted the Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch Association (FNWA). Consequentially, she was invited to join one of the organisation’s youth volunteering programmes – a chance she embraced with enthusiasm. This opportunity gave her access to media equipment and expertise that have enabled her to truly flex her abilities and commitment through the creation of films to a professional standard.
Rachel’s resolve to improve young people’s care and attention while driving has seen her working alongside a number of partner agencies including the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and North Wales Police. She is now recognised as a young a leader in road safety campaigning. Her film has been used at events such as 100 Years Celebration of Youth Justice, at a children and young people’s partnership event where the Welsh Assembly Education Minister asked for a copy, and in front of the North Wales Police Chief Constable at the Good Neighbour Conference where quite a few people had to wipe a tear away when it had finished.
The impact of Rachel’s films has been widely praised including a commendation from Alun Oldfield, Inspector South Flintshire NWP, who said:
“I think that what Rachel and the other young people have created is amazing. It’s a great example of young people giving their time voluntarily and helping in this type of safety campaigns.”
Ultimately, co-ordinating the toolkit has taken a great deal of perseverance, artistic dedication, and a belief that this kind of campaign work could save someone’s life. For these reasons, we are proud to recognise Rachel in the arts category of the Young Achiever’s Awards.
[...] Rachel Edwards will spend the day with YouthNet’s Multimedia Team learning the filming techniques that professionals use in video production. [...]