Bank of Ireland UK and Belfast-based film charity, Cinemagic, have joined forces once more to inspire and educate young people about financial wellbeing through the lens of the screen industries.
With support from Arts & Business Northern’s Investment Programme, over 60 teenagers, from Slemish College, Ballymena, came together for an innovative, educational outreach morning.
Students who participated in the initiative enjoyed workshops and t insights from Adam Wilkinson, Film & TV Sustainability Consultant (NBC Universal, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix); Actress and Puppeteer, Beccy Henderson (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Derry Girls); and broadcaster Denise Watson (TalkSPORT, U105), with a Q&A expertly hosted by presenter, Lynette Fay.
The partnership between Cinemagic and Bank of Ireland UK developed through a shared passion to educate, motivate and inspire young people, and to creatively demonstrate the importance of good financial wellbeing as students begin to think about employment and further education.
The students gained practical advice, utilising the screen industries in a Sustainability and Location Management workshop and creative careers panel Q&A to highlight issues such as budgeting, problem solving, resilience and the significance of financial wellbeing on an individual’s personal and career development, no matter what career path they choose.
Joan Burney Keatings, MBE, Cinemagic Chief Executive commented “Cinemagic is delighted to have received support from Arts & Business Northern Ireland, through the Investment Programme. To strengthen and develop our outreach work with Bank of Ireland UK.
Cinemagic’s ethos is to inspire young people from all backgrounds through creative film opportunities, and collaborating with Bank of Ireland UK, on this innovative community outreach programme is truly inspiring, allowing local teenagers to find out about career opportunities in the screen industries whilst feeling empowered about their own financial wellbeing.”
William Thompson, Head of Consumer Banking NI at Bank of Ireland UK, commented “It’s not always easy to get young people talking about money management and financial literacy, but it’s really important that young people learn about finances and how to manage their money from an early age so they can build good financial habits for the long term.
“The Cinemagic team and panellists showed in a practical way how important financial planning is within the creative industries sector, from just getting started in the industry through to its role in supporting internationally acclaimed local businesses.”
Mary Nagele, Chief Executive Officer at Arts & Business NI said “We know that when business and the arts work together, they achieve great things. That’s why we were thrilled to support this creative collaboration, which educates, inspires, and empowers the next generation. Through the lens of media, film, and the creative industries, young people not only explored the importance of financial literacy but also learned more about creative career opportunities. By equipping young people with knowledge, skills and inspiration, we hope this initiative will set them on a strong path for their future.”
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Press Information: Claire Shaw, Cinemagic Press & Marketing Officer, claire@cinemagic.org.uk
028 90 311 900
