Four Bury College Performing Arts students recently showcased their acting skills by starring in some short films about COVID-19 safety measures and how to promote mental wellbeing as we emerge from restrictions. The students were not only able to put into practice the performance skills they have learnt on their course, but also to take part in essential awareness-raising around COVID.

Bury Council created the videos to ensure that COVID-19 public health information is accessible to communities who may otherwise be excluded from mainstream communication tools most often used by the local council and NHS. The videos were filmed in Bury, and were aimed at encouraging everyone in our communities to take simple steps to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, while also looking after their mental wellbeing as we return to a less restrictive normality.

The Performing Art students took full advantage of this exciting opportunity, and were involved in two videos, focusing on ways to stay safe through restrictions easing, and how to look after your own mental health. There are versions in English, Urdu, Punjabi, and with British Sign Language commentary, along with two other videos in the series, encouraging people to get tested and to get the vaccine. The students were able to experience a taste of life on a filming set, and respond to a professional brief.

Hamza Akhtar, a second year Level 3 Performing Arts student who starred in the videos, said, “I really enjoyed it and now feel much more comfortable in a professional acting environment. The pandemic meant we had not been able to get as much experience like this, so it was very helpful.”

The videos can be found on the Bury Council’s YouTube channel – click here to view them all: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWjtqoO1KM4koio3HU5Uv_Q/videos

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