Bradford film Young in Covid 2 has its premiere at university

Young in Covid 2 - Route to Recovery received accreditation and positive feedback from dignitaries across Yorkshire and the UK, including comments from Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer of England, as well as Jim McManus, president of the Association of Directors of Public Health.

Young in Covid 2- young people involved and mentors. Image: Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi (Image: Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi)

The film, which had its premiere at the University of Bradford on Monday (March 20), showcased the stories of diverse young people in Bradford and tackled problems including poor access to mental health services, domestic violence and the rise of nitrous oxide usage in the city.

Marium Zameer, one of those featured in the film, shared how she rediscovered her faith during the pandemic after she was given "a second chance at life".  

She was taken to hospital with Covid-19 and still suffers from the impacts of Long Covid.

She said: “I’m excited for people to watch the film and it provides a thorough understanding of young people’s thoughts and experiences."

Packed room at the University of Bradford for the launch of the film.Image:Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi (Image: Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi)

Umaimah Siddique, another young person involved, added: “It’s about getting our point across to a larger audience.”

This film took 13 months and highlighted that Covid is an ongoing issue and the lasting impacts of it will remain for the rest of people's lives.

Sarah Muckle, Director of Public Health in Bradford, said: “It will affect us for the rest of our lives, it will be here forever and what we have to do, is learn to live with it."

The topic of faith was key in Young in Covid 2 and the film includes some of the young people talking about their deeper connection with faith during the pandemic.

Sofia Buncy addressing the audience at the launch: Image: Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi (Image: Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi)

This was addressed by Revd Dr Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford, who said: “You guys were talking about faith in a way where you were empowering one another.

“This city is comfortable with faith in a way that very few cities in the entire country are and we’re leading the way.”

Dr Sofia Buncy MBE DL, who directed the film, said: "I am overwhelmed by the response to Young in Covid - Routes to Recovery as are all of our partners.

"People were truly moved. The fact that the team was given a standing ovation at the premier, shows that the audience were drawn in by what young people were saying and that it clearly resonated.

"People felt that this film, which was the second in the series, was more considered and its messages deeply resonated with them.

"Perhaps this may be because we have had time to reflect on the pandemic three years on and had time to absorb what has been happening in and around us and also assess how far we have travelled.

"For me, if the film encourages people to trust the young, their talent and their creativity and provide them with spaces to contribute, I will feel that the objective of this film has been achieved."

Maverick Rhodes and Nikodi Joseph- part of Young in Covid 2. Image: Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi (Image: Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi)

The aim of Young in Covid and its sequel was to create a conversation around empowering young people and to provide them with the opportunities to use their own voices to raise their concerns in society and issues that impact their wellbeing. 

While the first film focused on how young people's voices were not heard, the second film highlights the initiatives they created and got involved in themselves to recover.

Dr Buncy added: "As the youngest city in the UK, it is imperative that the services we deliver are fit for purpose and adequate for young people.

"If not, inevitably, we will be paying a heavy price for young people who have not felt supported enough coming through the pandemic. That will have a lasting impact and consequences.

"I think the thing that struck the audience the most yesterday was how articulate, wise, and forthright, the young people were. We have found that if you give young people opportunities and platforms, they are not short of solutions."