Young people offered hands-on role in creating content about vaping
Teenagers in West Somerset are being invited to take part in a free, one-day filmmaking workshop in Minehead which will help shape a youth-focused campaign on vaping. The session, run by Somerset Film, will take place at Minehead EYE on Thursday 8 August, from 10am to 4pm, and is open to young people aged 13 to 16.
Organisers say the day is designed to equip participants with practical media skills while ensuring the messaging reflects teenagers’ own views and experiences. The ambition is to produce short, shareable pieces that resonate with local audiences and speak directly to the realities of vaping among young people.
“This is not about being lectured or told what to think. Instead, the workshop is designed to listen to young people's ideas, experiences, and opinions, creating content that young people would actually want to watch.”
What participants will do on the day
Attendees will work alongside professional filmmakers to explore how adverts and social media campaigns are built, before planning and producing their own short films. By the end of the session, groups will screen their finished pieces to peers.
- Learn practical filmmaking skills from industry professionals
- Break down how adverts and social content are conceived and crafted
- Develop stories and campaign ideas focused on vaping
- Film, edit and present short pieces to the group
Somerset Film’s approach places young voices at the centre of the project, aiming to produce content that peers will recognise and engage with. The emphasis is on creativity, collaboration and critical thinking rather than delivering a predetermined message.
Event details at a glance
| Event | Youth Filmmaking Workshop on Vaping |
|---|---|
| Date | 8 August |
| Time | 10am–4pm |
| Location | Minehead EYE, Minehead |
| Age range | 13–16 years |
| Cost | Free |
| Organiser | Somerset Film |
Why this matters locally
With vaping firmly in the spotlight, particularly among school-age children, this workshop offers a constructive way for teenagers to contribute to how the issue is discussed with their peers. By producing their own short films, participants will help shape a campaign that reflects lived experiences, local context and the language young people actually use.
The skills on offer go beyond the subject itself: camera work, editing, storytelling and understanding how messages travel on social platforms are all core parts of modern media literacy. For many, it will also be a first chance to try out professional equipment and collaborate on a creative brief from start to finish.
How to take part
Places are free for eligible ages and the workshop runs as a single full-day session. Young people who are interested should plan ahead to be available for the entire day so they can see their projects through to completion and share their films in the end-of-day screening.
Parents and guardians may wish to note the structured timetable, the focus on practical learning, and the opportunity for participants to contribute meaningfully to a local campaign about vaping’s impact on young people in Somerset.
