Jimmyteens.tv

Jimmyteens.tv is an online media facility for young people aged 13–24 who are affected by cancer. Young people going through treatment can access cameras and relevant support to enable them to film, edit and produce a piece of work that is significant to their cancer journey. This gives them the opportunity to share their experiences in a creative way, using video diary, animation, documentary and drama. They film in hospital, at home, and out and about. One parent described her 15-year-old daughter’s experiences: “Alice saw her film making as a way of being able to express herself and to show family and friends what she was going through… the last thing she felt like doing after a spell in hospital was talking to people about her cancer… she just wanted to be like any other teenager and be ‘normal’. Initially, I think Alice saw the project as a self-healing one, another world where she could offload without having to face up to the harsh realities, with those she was closest to… on camera, she could focus on something other than hospital… we had many fun times on the way too, such as encounters with favourite bands, numerous parties and many milestones. As a mother, these moments on film will be forever priceless… she gave positivity and encouragement to fellow sufferers.”

Jimmyteens.tv Director Mark Wilkinson says: “You can make films yourself and say things to the camera that you might feel you can’t say face to face to loved ones. It’s very powerful. We work with newly diagnosed young people on wards, and know from experience that when they access this project it helps them with feelings of isolation and loneliness. We encourage people to visit the website and have a good look around. There is a search facility which can bring up films on topics like hair loss, fertility or any of the cancer types; you can sign up and make your own play-list where films will be sent to you as podcasts on the topics you decide to follow.”
We are currently based in 20 hospitals throughout the UK. Rapid expansion followed the start of the project in conjunction with St James’ Hospital, Leeds, in 2005, and it is still growing. The site currently holds more than 600 films made by young people, with new films added each week. It has become a well-used, resource-rich and highly valued service. The website receives more than 50,000 visits a year. Increasingly, films are viewed by healthcare professionals and used in training programmes. The project now employs 11 young people who initially accessed Jimmyteens.tv while in treatment. They are our best advocates as they have experienced the highs and lows of cancer treatment, and they are the best people to encourage others to not feel alone and frightened. A key aspect of the film making project for young people is the independence and control they have over their work. With training and encouragement from our mentors in filming and editing techniques, they are free to create whatever they wish.