People in our Be Seen Be Heard project in Sittingbourne have made a powerful new awareness video about what disability means to them.

The film shares people’s experiences and thoughts about how disability impacts their everyday lives. It is designed to help people better understand learning disability and autism – and to help bring about positive change.

Be Seen Be Heard is a bemix project in Sittingbourne and Dover. In the project, people work together as equals. Everyone has the chance to be heard. People build skills in presentation-making, public speaking and confidence. The groups go into schools to talk about how people with learning difficulties want to be treated. People in the project also give presentations to professionals. Recently, project members in Dover were paid to deliver sessions to Nursing students at Canterbury Christ Church University and to Social Prescribers.

As well as presentations, project members also create films that are shared online with a wider audience. These films are about the topics that matter most to group members, and the things they want to change in society.

 

 

At bemix, all our work is co-produced. This means people with and without learning disabilities and/or autism make decisions together. In Be Seen Be Heard, everyone is involved in the filmmaking process – from choosing the topic and researching it, to writing the script, setting up the camera, and editing the final footage.

 

Here’s what people said about being involved in the new film:

“I liked being filmed with my friends.” – Jonathan

“We have all done extremely well and put all our effort into it.” – Stewart

“I really enjoyed doing the video. The best part was being able to express my feelings, and I hope what I said will help support other Autistic people.” – Nick

“I enjoyed dancing in the video.” – Jon

 

Press play to watch the film:

 

Through film, presentation and public speaking, people in bemix are helping more people to understand disability and see the value of listening to different voices. Together, we’re building a world where everyone can be seen, be heard, and belong.

 

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Are you interested in projects like Be Seen Be Heard, where people learn skills, build independence, and grow in confidence?

Explore our group projects, click here.