Special thanks to the Hounslow Hope Project and NHS England for their support in making this video.

Also big thanks to our valued Heston West Big Local volunteers and supporters: Terry Noad, Dee Cree, Tony Durham, Sharnjeet Bhalla and Amar Riya for contributing to our Falls Prevention film. We hope this short film inspires, educates and guide the elderly and those with mobility difficulties.

This short film was story boarded, filmed and edited by our young people participating in our MADE in HESTON WEST Film-making programme with Make A Difference Entertainment (MADE).

This is a short film was created by our MADE in HESTON WEST young film crew. The film was written by Abbie McFerran and Juhi Kumra and filmed at Cranford Community College on Sunday 26th March 2017. The short film highlights self-esteem and body image issues young people face.

The 'It's OK not to be OK' campaign is led by our Youth Action Team.

It’s OK not to be OK. As a society we have created these outrageous ideals of how a person should look and dress instead of looking at what matters and what makes them who they are. And, no matter what society says those ideals don’t matter because despite what we have been brought up to believe we are all beautiful and unique and that includes you, me and everyone around us. So if you ever feel you are not good enough remember that you are and talk to someone because at one point in our life we have all felt like there is something wrong with us when in reality there isn’t. Don’t be afraid to share your feelings because there is many just like you and if you’re not OK then the world is not OK.

It’s all right to feel nervous or scared when going to talk to someone but trust me it could make all the difference and there are many people out there who would be willing to listen to you whether that be friends, family or teachers there is always someone you can turn to for help even if you feel like you’re alone.

It doesn’t matter how small or big the problem is because there will always be someone to help and a problem is still a problem despite the size of it so all I can say to you is be happy with who you are because you are perfect and beautiful in every way and if you ever doubt that remember there is always someone you can turn to and there people out there who feel the same way you do because despite what we may look like on the outside we could be the complete opposite on the inside.

Also if you ever feel that a friend or relative or anyone doesn’t seem themselves or something doesn’t feel right you could be the one to say: “Hey are you OK?” because that lets them know they are not alone and it could change everything for them because you never know what might be going on in someone’s head. Be the one who helps them through a dark time to get them to a bright and happy place and remember It’s OK not to be OK.

Check out Serena Lola's amazing VLOG documenting our recent Big Local trip to Parliament!

​By MADE in HESTON WEST

The Bounce Theatre Summer School was set up by the Big Local and Bounce Theatre to allow up to 75 children to do something creative and innovative for 4 weeks this summer holidays. The idea behind it all was to give young people a space where they can express themselves through creativity in a safe, friendly and nurturing environment whilst learning new and amazing skills but also having fun at the same time with new found friends.

It’s also clear that they’ve had a lot of fun during their time here. Saani, 7yrs old, said: “I like the art, filming, fun and creativity, I just love it” and the same goes for the other children who said it was really fun and enjoyable.

In addition they had some exciting visits from people who helped with the performance such as Emma who did drama workshops and Andrea who created and helped with the art of the production. This was all done to encourage children to try something new and be allowed to have creative freedom but also have a good time whilst doing it and through this summer school that has been achieved.

Finally, it was not only the children who enjoyed this experience but out Big Local volunteers as well as they enjoyed helping the kids and just having fun with something that got them out the house during the holidays.

When I first arrived I was amazed at how a simple classroom had been turned into a market place which was full of colour and life and it was also nice to see how all the children were involved in running their own market stalls which ranged from decorating bowls to fortune telling. What made this even better was we got to get involved by writing our positive messages and making things, which was pretty fun.

Once again the room had been transformed and we were in the middle of the action, it was like we were apart of the story. The acting of the children was also amazing as you could see how much time and effort they had put into the whole thing and in the end was quite spectacular I particularly enjoyed the witch who was very scary and demanding. We not only saw the live play but we also got to watch a mini film they had produced throughout the summer school and it clearly showed all the new skills they had learnt and just showed how talented they are.

Finally we were then led back through the forest and into another room, which was transformed, into the witches house, it looked spectacular with an oven in the middle and covered in giant sweets and candy. The play continued and was really exciting as I was standing in the middle of all of it as Hansel and Gretel escaped and the witches were made good, it was a great ending to an amazing performance and I thought it was so good that I watched it again the second time.

They had done a magnificent job with everything and it was hard to believe that they only had 4 weeks it seemed like a full on west end production, it was quite impressive. Overall the final production was outstanding and many parents there agreed who thought it ‘was really good’ and ‘was something fun they could do in the holidays.’ It is something that is great to be involved in and will keep you busy in the boring old holidays.