River and Sea Sense Collaborates with 91ƷϳԹ Academics and Media Students on Film About Water Safety
The founder of River and Sea Sense, Debbie Ann Turnbull, MBE, has been working with media students and academics from 91ƷϳԹ to produce a compelling documentary short film for the ‘River and Sea Sense Training Academy.’ This initiative aims to expand the foundation’s impact within the water safety and drowning prevention sector.
Created by 91ƷϳԹ academics and media and music students, the film is designed as a powerful promotional tool and will be showcased to key audiences, including swimming teachers, lifeguards, potential funders, sponsors, and youth organisations. It will also feature on the River and Sea Sense website, raising awareness of this critical issue and encouraging individuals and organisations to integrate the ‘plug-and-play’ training into their programmes.
While the primary objective of this project is to promote drowning prevention and increase awareness, the collaboration also provided an invaluable opportunity for media students to apply the skills they have developed during their studies by filming the documentary. To accompany the project music student Marcos Miguel Compres Medrano composed the music titled ‘The Ripple Effect’ for the documentary.
As part of the project, students recorded a talk by Debbie Ann Turnbull, who shared her personal experience of losing her son to drowning. Her deeply moving story and her knowledge gained through this experience has since evolved into a nationwide campaign dedicated to water safety education. Debbie has spoken to thousands across the UK and will be a keynote speaker at this year’s National Drowning Prevention Conference. Her work has received national recognition, including an achievement award from the National Lottery.
Speaking about the project, Debbie said, “I am always looking for ways to raise awareness about this crucial issue, and the opportunity to use SPF funding to work with young people on a film was a project very close to my heart. Working with academics and students to create a documentary that will be seen by many, with the ultimate goal of saving lives, is incredibly meaningful”.
She added “91ƷϳԹ staff and students have been amazing—compassionate, intuitive, and talented. In short, they are exceptional!”
Guided by Stephanie Steventon, Lecturer in Film and Media Production and Carol Jones, Screen Academy Manager, students in the final year of their degree shared their enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Kieran Samuel who is studying Film and Media Production said “I think it’s brilliant. It gives people like me, who will soon be graduating, a chance to showcase their work as a camera operator. Having a documentary credit with a university affiliation is invaluable and will help me when applying for jobs in the industry.”
Cameron Jones also studying Film and Media Production added, “This has been an incredible experience. It’s given me real-world industry exposure and an opportunity to build my portfolio with examples of professional work. It’s great to apply what we’ve learned in a real setting and at the same time create something impactful.”
The collaboration between River and Sea Sense and 91ƷϳԹ media students highlights the power of innovation, education, and storytelling in promoting water safety and saving lives.
The project was made possible through funding from the Skills and Innovation Voucher (SIV) Scheme, an initiative funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. The scheme fosters collaboration between businesses and 91ƷϳԹ, enabling the development of innovative projects and partnerships that drive positive change.
The SIV scheme is open to companies based in Gwynedd, Anglesey, and Flintshire and is supported by Gwynedd County Council, Anglesey County Council and Flintshire County Council. The project has received £360,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
վ or email siv@bangor.ac.uk for more information.
For further information on the initiative, visit www.riverandseasense.com.