DUNFERMLINE police have secured over £32,000 in funding for their Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV).

The money will be used to allow their youth volunteers in the city to undergo a year-long screen education programme that will help them to develop a range of filmmaking skills and in turn allow them to create content on criminal, social and wellbeing issues in diverse communities.

PC Scott Morgan said: “The decision to get this project off the ground was to allow our PSYV members to collaborate with other peers and groups impacted by various social themes to generate film content that is relevant, relatable and shareable."

A total of 20 young people aged between 13 and 18 are involved in this project and, since January this year, they have taken part in practical workshops, run by professionals, with the aim of helping them to find their own creative voice.

He continued: “Creative practitioners will offer the participants step-by-step professional instruction to nurture their creativity whilst enhancing their filmmaking craft and research skills across pre-production, production and post-production.

“Practical workshops will form the primary engagement and learning experience offered to the PSYV, who will learn about the creative aspects of filmmaking.

“Although some films we have or will create target a certain demographic, our young filmmakers will widen their reach by promoting their safety messages and associated support provisions through volunteering and proactive broadcasts to the public via social media, school talks, community safety stalls, targeted closed groups and existing partnership networks."

PC Morgan considered multiple funding routes to make this possible for his youth volunteers and as a result of his hard work, £32,398 was secured.

Screen Scotland donated £16,278 and is paying for local filmmaker Adam Stanley to mentor the PSYV group, Fife Council Dunfermline Area Committee gave £7,000 and the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust and Cashback for Communities both donated £4,560 to the purchase of equipment for the project.

Fife College has also supported Dunfermline Police in this and have enrolled all of the volunteers in this project as part-time students, providing them with accredited learning opportunities and use of their Media facilities.

“None of this would have been possible without the vital funding we have received from Screen Scotland, Fife Council Dunfermline Area Committee, the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust and Cashback for Communities. Their generous donations have helped us secure all the specialist equipment we require, as well as the mentoring support of Adam Stanley." He added.

“I am also grateful to Fife College for the use of their media suite, which ensures the post-production process is executed to the highest standard.”

All of the PSYV content will be published on their social media and they are exploring the idea of creating a designated YouTube channel for their future content.

Councillor James Calder, Convener of the City of Dunfermline Area Committee, commented: “We were only too pleased to be able to support this project which is ensuring more young people are contributing to the community.

“It's providing the community with a fantastic and diverse portfolio of video material, local to the area. Once experienced we hope they’ll be able to offer their film production capabilities to other local groups, charities, agencies, and event organisers.”

For more information on the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, visit www.psyv.org.