Embrace Film Project

In September 2023, a film project supported by Shetland Arts, Ability Shetland and Gary Docherty (Consultant Learning Disabilities Nurse, NHS Shetland), came to its silver screen conclusion with a red carpet premiere in Mareel’s Screen 1 to celebrate the achievements of everyone involved.

Embrace is a group of young people that meets regularly at Mareel. The film started as a project for this group, and focused on telling the stories of 12 young people aged between 7 and 27, and what it means for them to be neurodivergent.

The film can be viewed online at vimeo.com/keibafilm/embrace

This project falls within the wider Culture Collective programme, funded by Creative Scotland and involved individual creative practitioners working with participants. The Culture Collective programme started in lockdown to bring communities together, recognising the importance of arts as a vehicle for addressing social outcomes; improving inclusion and equality, improving confidence and benefiting the community.

Film is a great way to bring people together, creating a safe space for ideas and an environment where team working is key. This project gave the young people involved the opportunity to get to know each other better, and to experience all the many phases of film production. Through all the different aspects, from story boarding to the act of filming or performing, different strengths could be catered for. The film and process of producing the film allowed those involved to find these strengths, to explore their interests and to be a part of a wider story.

“‘Embrace’ is a film project where young people in Shetland used their creative voice to share what neurodiversity means to them in a fun, honest and meaningful way. The project was run by local artists, alongside professional agencies to support the creation of a film & resource pack that can be shared with schools and the community.” Jane Cockayne (Project Facilitator)

An evaluation of the project highlighted the impact made, with participants expressing increased confidence, team working skills and a sense of inclusion. Through interviews at the premier confidence shone through, as did the joy at having made the film. There was a real satisfaction at what had been achieved as a team. Participants felt that they had found their place, and experienced personal progression.

Further reflections identified the involvement of creative practitioners Keiba Clubb, Jonathan Bulter, Lauren Bulter, Thomas Cockayne, and Jane Cockayne as a real strength, likewise the support from parents for the participants. The project also reiterated the benefits of those supporting projects such as this being flexible and ready to support people’s ideas; open mindedness is key.

The film itself showed how we all experience, learn and interact with the world in unique ways. The fundamental message being one of self-acceptance, of encouragement to Embrace who we are. The film was described as ‘inspirational’, ‘brilliant’, ‘emotional’ and ‘five stars’ in reviews from the audience who attended the premier.

Feedback from participants included:

'It has been really good for me coming to the group. At the group I have met people who are like me. Before I felt like I was on my own but now I feel like I have met others like me.'

Enjoyed, ‘Meeting people that understand me.’

‘I love the filming project. It is amazing and lets us get creative. P.s Good slime, it got my hands glittery. I love glitter. Have a good day!’

This project relates to the Participation, People and Money priorities of the Shetland Partnership. Helping to deliver improved outcomes for people across the Isles; contributing to Shetland continuing to be a safe and happy place, with more people feeling connected to their communities and benefiting from living in good places and keeping active; enabling people to be able to access the support they need to maximise their income potential: including innovative, flexible and entrepreneurial employment opportunities throughout Shetland (for example through paying freelancers and supporting jobs within the creative industries).