Media Programme

DCITS expanded its service outreach to online platforms at the start of the pandemic in 2020, and we had so much positive engagement from our service users and their families that we have been able to grow our media production quality and online presence into a service-wide programme.

We have a monthly newsletter that is printed and circulated to each service user at the start of every month. The newsletter consists of photo and caption contributions from each of our centres so we can share what’s happening around all 16 locations. A team of service users, supported by staff, in each location are responsible for capturing and submitting the content that they want to share each month.

In addition to our monthly newsletter, we host a live show once a month on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. During this show, service users present the news from the newsletter in a newsround. We also showcase any creative media projects from the service users and play some live music. We host this on platforms that allow us to be ‘live’ because it allows service users, their family members, and anyone else watching to comment and allow the hosts of the show to talk back to everyone in real-time. Everything is filmed using our high-spec cameras, microphones, lights, and even a green screen.

The DCITS Media Programme also produces its own radio show and podcast. Every week, service users from all of our 16 centres who are interested in participating get to pair up and take over an entire radio show and podcast, choosing and introducing songs to be played. This is a great option for people who want to participate in some kind of creative media production without having to be on camera. 

The final part of our media programme is our Multimedia Module. Service users who participate in this module have the opportunity to learn how to work professional equipment such as cameras, lights, microphones, editing software, and a green screen.

Service users who take this course get to come up with their own creative projects and work as part of a team with the support of media-trained staff, to bring those projects to life. It is an opportunity for creative expression, in whatever form you choose. These projects range from animations, skits, music videos, written and recorded songs, claymations, filmed interviews for our television channel, and any other captured content of what happens in our service. Everything is written by, directed by, and produced by service users with the support of staff.