Media Community Network | Enriching Young Lives And Their Communities Through Art

An award-winning arts charity, fighting inequality through creativity.

long, dank tunnel

For many young people, it isn't easy growing up in the inner city. Social deprivation can lead to isolation, powerlessness and a sense of victimhood. A potent combination, which often leads to crime and anti-social behaviour.

Policing and regeneration are not the whole solution: the causes of social problems in communities must be addressed.

man filming with camera

Media Community Network believes that through the power of imagination and art, communities can be healed, their problems solved and their prospects improved.

young man dressed as charlie chaplin

We fund and run arts projects in communities across the country, involving every member of those communities alongside professional artists and practitioners.

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The artworks produced highlight local issues, educate and train local people in media production, bring together different generations and cultural groups.

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Most importantly, they allow young people to express themselves, understand the world in which they live, and participate fully in society.

See Some Of Our Work

Our projects involve the entire community in making sense of local issues.

young boy using film camera

Chapolino

We worked with local community groups on the Aylesbury Estate in south London, home to a wide variety of cultures, to produce a series of short films discussing the upcoming regeneration of the area.

This project explored how people of different generations, classes and ethnic backgrounds can respond positively to the regeneration and transformation of deprived inner-city areas.

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Wandsworth Poverty Project

We were commissioned by Wandsworth Local Authority to produce a short film, helping council workers to understand the experience of disadvantaged Wandsworth residents.

Our film has helped authority workers to empathise with the plight of their constituents, and has since been taken to national conferences to share with other councils.

promotional poster for Mothers Of Loss project

Mothers Of Loss

We worked in collaboration with artist Peihang Huang and the residents of Angell Town, Brixton, to help a community wracked by violent crime to make sense of their experiences.

Through portraiture, film, collage and creative writing, family members who have lost loved ones to knife crime were able to channel their grief and anger into positive creative energy, culminating in a special exhibition.

We use film to heal divisions, create new skills and strengthen bonds.

Cool To Be Kind

2016

A film about bullying and self-esteem amongst girls under 10. Produced in collaboration with Professor Rosalind George from Goldsmiths University London.

Butt Out

2006

A film produced by the pupils of Goldwyn Special Needs Secondary School, providing a creative outlet, and a personal perspective, from SEN children.

Chapolino

2014

A comedy film in the tradition of Charlie Chaplin, produced as a collaboration between the Aylesbury Estate Latin American community and police from Carter Street Police Station.

The Mustard Seed

2018

A film focussing on the faith and sexuality of a 15 year-old boy raised in Peckham.

Working in Wandsworth

2015

A film providing an overview of the services that Wandsworth local authority provides for disadvantaged residents.

Newnham: Going For Gold

2010

A film made by the residents of Newnham in London, exploring how the upcoming 2012 Olympics would affect their community, for better or worse.

Our work has won accolades and support from a wide range of partners.

Career Initiative (Shortlisted): City Wealth Power Women Award 2020 Inspirational Woman of the Year (Silver): City Wealth Power Woman Award 2019 Dale Carnegie School of Presentation Sponsorship 2018 Best Volunteer Contribution, Arts in Southwark The Guardian Small Charities Award 2014 (Shortlisted) Best Volunteer in the Borough of Islington 2012 Sheffield Doc Fest (Shortlisted) 2010 Nesta Best Graduate Creative Business Idea (Shortlisted) 2008

Meet Us

We are a diverse team of volunteers, artists, experts and advisors.

picture of laverne hunt

Laverne is an educator and arts facilitator, who was named CityWealth Inspirational Woman of the Year and won the 2009 Guardian Small Charities Award for her work with MCN.

Laverne Hunt

Founder

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Anthony Goodman is Professor of Criminology at Middlesex University.

Prof. Anthony Goodman

Advisor

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Ray Domingo is an artist, musician and DJ who frequently collaborates with MCN on projects around the country.

Ray Domingo

Artist

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Clara Boerkamp is Finance Director at ICE, and also serves as treasurer for HealthWatch Islington.

Clara Boerkamp

Treasurer

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Jeff Tavernier practises as a lawyer in London.

Jeff Tavernier

Secretary

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Rosalyn George is Professor of Education and Equality at Goldsmiths College, London.

Prof. Rosalyn George

Advisor

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Sarra Pond is a counsellor and psychotherapist for young people and children, as well as serving as a CEO of several children's homes in the UK.

Sarra Pond

Advisor

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Leroy Rosenior is a former professional footballer and experienced football coach, also working across charitable causes including combatting racism and promoting social reform.

Leroy Rosenior

Patron

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Trevor Moore practises as a lawyer and consultant in London.

Trevor Moore

Advisor

picture of helen lederer

Helen Lederer is a comedienne, writer and actress, who has served as patron of MCN since its early days.

Helen Lederer

Patron

How You Can Help

girls learning how to use a film camera

There are lots of ways to get involved.

Contact us about funding our work, collaborating on a project, or simply to find out more about MCN's mission.

Email: info@mcnltd.org Telephone: +44 7947 817 733 Telephone: 0207 993 5003 Post: 25 Moorgate, London EX2R 6AY Twitter: @mcnltd_org Instagram: @lavernehunt_

Become A Partner

We are always looking for partners who can give their time to help us deliver our work. From teachers to academics, artists to technicians, community leaders to doctors, it takes all sorts of expertise to transform communities.

To find out how your experience and skills could help us, send us an email.

DONATE

Your donations allow us to deliver more projects across the country, helping local communities help themselves. We use the trusted Paypal Donate platform, so you can be safe in the knowledge that your money is going where it needed most.

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