Feedback and Reviews

General:

'The film really captures the atmosphere of the day, and the range of activities and opportunities that were available. It allowed the community to have their say, see play in it's natural space and reflect on how successful the day had been. The film is a valuable and flexible resource that we are using to promote a similar event this year, to build Door 84's profile, and to strengthen funding applications. I also use this to support my talks about the importance of play'

Heidi Haywood, Door 84 Manager

This has been a fantastic and rewarding experience for everyone that has taken part. We devised a plan of what we wanted to do, were supported developing those ideas and given the tools and guidance to make the animation. It's given us a wonderful film which will raise awareness about psychosis and the challenges that can be experienced. Everyone who took part in this work has been given a sense of ownership of their service, valuable work experience and also had a great time! The film was used at our launch event and will continue to be used within the service and online.

Chris Rose, Support, Time & Recovery Worker, Community Links York Early Intervention Team

We would recommend any organisations who work with young people to use Biomation. They led a one week project for a group of young people to create this film from scratch. The young people had a brilliant week and learnt not just the creative, practical and technical skills of animation, but also interpersonal skills such as teamwork and communication with peers. As an organisation we now have a professionally produced and engaging film, which we will use at conferences and workshops to raise awareness of the issues that are important to young people. Thanks Biomation!

Anna Barrett

Senior Project Worker The Children's Society

“Just So I Know” is given to children entering care and explains what they can expect and who they will meet. Biomation were brilliant working with a group of 12 to 14 year olds, they listened to their stories and pulled together the key themes to inform children of the path through the care system. Dan and Simon kept the young people interested and focused on the project, respected their suggestions and decisions. It was a valuable experience that I’m sure they will remember for a long time. Many many thanks, we have a wonderful DVD and fab memories."

Sandra Hirst 

Children Rights Officer, City of York Council

I wanted to say many many thanks for the fantastic week you provided for the young people. I read over the feedback & it is truly fantastic. We have achieved great outcomes because of your skills and sensitivity.'

Bron Urwin, York CAMHS

Biomation has been a wonderful new way of allowing young people and professionals from very different backgrounds to come together for a common purpose. It allowed us to explore several different perspectives with benefits for all. The clinicians and animation team worked well together. There was mutual respect and trust, and it was heartening to see. The young people saw them all as one team which is a testament to how well they gelled together.
 

Dr. Barry Wright, Consultant Child, Adolescent and Family Psychiatrist

‘I was very impressed by the way the young people took great care over several days to produce an excellent film which tells us a great deal about childhood arthritis. The group enjoyed the workshops and I feel gained a lot from meeting each other and the artists involved.’

Dr. Dominic Smith, Consultant Paediatrician, York Hospital


I was very impressed by how well the team worked with young people to create the Housing Maze film. I regularly use the films during conference presentations to bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Housing. The film is very effective in letting young people's stories speak for themselves and is always well received.

Kathleen Kelly
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation
 

"Produced by young people, for young people, 'One Small Step' will be a really useful online resource. We really enjoyed the process of making it, and are delighted with the result!"Lynette Nelson, Community Development Worker, AWS Strensall

Asperger's Film:

"We showed it at our session on Tuesday and it was really successful! So far we had been struggling to facilitate group conversations about issues surrounding aspergers, and the film provided an excellent stimulus. We paused it after each section and the young people all participated in discussion about the film and related it to their own experience which was fantastic, so thank you!

Several members of the group commented on how much they liked the animation. A couple particularly liked the bit of the boy at the bus-stop as they found they could relate to that scenario. They also seemed to find the section about school amusing!

Many thanks for your help"

Amy Edwards, Assistant Psychologist, co-running a weekly group for young people who have a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome and have accessed CAMHS services at some point


Deaf Films:

"There truly are a lack of resources out there that focus on deaf awareness from the perspective of deaf young people. Especially since deaf young people have told us that Deaf awareness is a top priority of theirs, being voted most popular over Education, Isolation and Activity issues. Your resources truly are excellent ones, and it is what we like to encourage, involving young deaf people in the development of resources and organisational processes."

Amanda Everitt
Participation Officer, Children & Young People, The National Deaf Children's Society



"I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how very useful I find your super films on the DVD you sent me. As a peripatetic teacher of the Deaf at this time of year I provide inset training to schools in order to enhance their teaching and support of deaf pupils. Since 1^st September I have shown your film to some 160 mainstream teachers as part of an INSET training package delivered in different schools in Lincolnshire. I have found it to be engaging and effective – teachers seem to remember the messages presented in such a great way. I have also then visited the students and teachers raised some of the points from the DVD as having made an impact and as being easy to remember – thank you. I find that the strength of the DVD sits very much with the fact that it is clearly and directly the voice of the child – a very powerful message."

Sarah Reed, Sensory Education Support Service Office, Bourne Fire Station, South Street

The films are wonderful, please let the young people know how impressed we are here at Deaffest. We loved the humour but also found them thought provoking too.

Jackie Law, Deaffest Co-ordinator

'Your films are really special. You've obviously really used input from users and translated it into a clear and entertaining message. I am delighted to have found them.'

Helen Miller, Psychiatrist, Adult Deaf Service, London


'Top 5 Tips for Communicating with Deaf Young People' has been used in schools by the NDCS Listening Bus. I think it is excellent, and a very good resource for use in my work developing teacher’s deaf awareness.

ALAN MACQUEEN
Family Officer (North East & Central Scotland), The National Deaf Children's Society


The response of this film (Top 5 Tips for Communicating with Deaf Young People) has been great, as it makes learning about communication a fun but educational element. The young people enjoy watching it, and the film helps to emphasis the importance of communicating with their deaf classmates. We pause the clip halfway through tip 5, where the deaf character is struggling to follow what is going on, and then discuss how the first 4 clips can improve communication in that situation. I would say that we have used the film in 8 different primary schools so far over the past 6 weeks, and reached 200 hearing pupils within the ages of 8 to 11. An additional bonus is that the film has been useful for the teachers with the deaf pupils in their class to watch too!

Damian Ball
Roadshow Co-ordinator
The National Deaf Children's Society