On & Up! Bringing Rotherham to the Children’s Media Conference 2024

Introduction by Esther Aldwinckle

From the 9th – 11th of July, the Children’s Capital of Culture team and young delegates brought a slice of Rotherham to the Children’s Media Conference. Held in our nearby Sheffield for 2024, we created a panel detailing our mission and vision for Rotherham in 2025, getting to speak to a range of industry professionals and media creatives about everything Children’s Capital of Culture!

A big part of this was bringing along our Young Delegates – a team of young people aged 16-25 from Rotherham who share a passion for the Children’s Capital of Culture mission – and bringing their voices to the forefront of the panel.

Now, we get to bring their thoughts and opinions on their experiences at the conference here! From musical talks to industry mentorship to bringing it all back to Rotherham, here’s what our Young Delegates had to say about the Children’s Media Conference 2024:

“It's easy to feel culturally deprived when you're from a small town like Rotherham, to feel written off. Attending the Children’s Media Conference affirmed the importance of the Children’s Capital of Culture to me.

Culture, and the media that forms it, changes lives, creates career aspirations, and opens young minds to lives outside of their own. It was reflected in every talk and showcase I attended, whether it was witnessing Yolanda’s musical opening talk or hearing media makers talk about the challenges of reflecting the rich diversity of the world into the stories mainstream media will allow.

Alongside that, having a mentor we could contact was beneficial as I got to sit down and get specific advice that helped affirm me on my path to a media career. Beyond my mentor I also got to talk to people in the industry with interesting jobs and connect on social media.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to attend, and feel a lot more capable of networking in the future.”

- Vakas Hussain

Testaments compiled by Vakas Hussain

“I had a fantastic experience at the Children's Media Conference! From feeling so upbeat and positive with Yolanda in the opening talk, to being educated on all the different digital avenues these companies look into for their programming, to being left absolutely speechless when Nandi demonstrated her incredible talent in the closing talk. I can’t thank Greg, and the team at Children’s Media Conference enough for giving us the opportunity to be there and experience it for ourselves.

We had the opportunity to work with a ‘mentor’ during our time at CMC and I was paired up with Chris Rose. Who so kindly took the time to sit with me and listen to all my experiences and the trials and tribulations of trying to break into the industry! He discussed his experiences and offered fantastic advice and has encouraged me to keep in touch throughout my career which I so appreciate, as that was not part of the mentor scheme, but meant a lot to a young person at the start of her career.

All in all, the experience I had at the Children's Media Conference was a brilliant one and I sincerely hope they continue with the Young Delegates scheme because it opens the conference up to the next generation and that’s so important.”

- Sophie Ellingham, Children's Capital of Culture Engagement Assistant

"Being able to go to the Children's Media Conference this year has been an amazing experience and I am very grateful to the CMC team as well as the CCOC team for making this possible.

I have made some great connections and had the opportunity to speak to industry professionals in a very welcoming environment. I was able to get some really valuable information from the talks I attended and Adam Bailey, the mentor I was assigned, did an amazing job at advising me on how to make the most out of the conference.

I think this is truly an opportunity that needs to be available for more young people and I am hoping this will carry into further collaborations between Children's Capital Of Culture and the Children's Media Conference."

- Maria Sofragiu, Children's Capital of Culture Engagement Assistant

“One of the most exciting parts of the conference was the ‘Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is’ pitching competition. Watching competitors present their television show ideas and receive live feedback from a panel of experts was both educational and exhilarating. It was fascinating to see the creativity and innovation in the pitches, as well as the constructive criticism that helps shape these ideas into potential successes.

The conference also provided an incredible opportunity to network with industry professionals. Engaging with these experienced individuals, receiving their advice, insights, and mentorship was invaluable. The kindness and openness of everyone I met made the experience even more enriching. These connections have not only inspired me but also provided a network of support as I pursue my career aspirations.”

- Grace Bower

“It was such a privilege to attend the CMC and I'm so thankful to the Children's Capital of Culture for the opportunity. Although the amount of people and big names at the conference was overwhelming at first, I soon realised how down-to-earth, friendly, and of course fun and creative the delegates were. By the second day, I was confident to ask questions in some of the sessions, and as a result, I managed to connect with other people who shared my views.

As well as opening doors for a future in media, these conversations I'd had with people also allowed me to talk about the Children's Capital of Culture and put Rotherham and its amazing young people on the map! A personal highlight was the "Inclusivity now: the lions story" session. It was so moving to learn how the panelists used their own stories and hardships to campaign for and create a more diverse, accepting, and authentic space in Children's Media. There weren't many dry eyes by the end of this session. I left the conference with invaluable experience, connections with industry professionals and new friendships with the other Young Delegates!”

- Mia

“I really enjoyed my first time attending the Children's Media Conference. It was such a pleasure being able to meet, listen and be inspired by key people in the media industry. The three days were packed with such a variety of sessions to attend and opportunities to learn more about the key topical issues at present in the media world. I’m really thankful to the whole CMC team and Children's Capital of Culture for the experience of being a young delegate.

My favourite sessions would definitely have to be listening to all three creative keynote speakers. Yolanda brown on the opening night kicked started the conference with a series of singalong elements from the audience. We were prompted to sing classics like Sweet Caroline, and We Are the Champions. Which created a fun and positive dynamic for what was to come leading in the days ahead.

On the second night we heard from keynote speaker Nora Twomey who gave us the backstory to her arts company Cartoon Saloon. She took us through a brief history of the company along with the highs and lows of the journey so far. I was really immersed into the storytelling elements and the visuals of the different clips she presented.

The final day of the conference we heard the last word from Nandi Bushell. It was a great closing session and left me with a buzz of energy. At such a young age Nandi has achieved so much in her early career and had many performance opportunities. I was able to bear witness to her amazing talent as she set the stage on fire (metaphorically) with her drumming skills.

All in all, the conference was one I won’t forget and will be a nice lasting memory.”

— Darlene, Children's Capital of Culture Engagement Assistant

Final note

With the mission to turn Rotherham into the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture well on its way, it is accessible activities and events such as this that are ever important in creating an enriching culture for Rotherham’s young people. If you’d like to get involved in our mission, get in contact with us via email at ccoc@rotherham.gov.uk and join us on the road to 2025!