A Digital Media Production student from Stratford-upon-Avon College has been nominated for a prestigious award from the BBC after creating a film exploring the realities of living with epilepsy.
Sophie Hedley-Goggin, 17 from Harvington, who studies on the Level 3 Digital Media Production course, produced a short film titled ‘Friends’ which explored her experience living with epilepsy. As well as raising awareness and receiving her award nomination, she also raised over £2000 for the charity Young Epilepsy.
For Sophie, it was marking the 10-year anniversary of living with epilepsy after being diagnosed at just six years old that prompted her to use her experience and try to make a difference. She comments: “I wanted to raise awareness. Epilepsy is one of those invisible disabilities that there is still so much that isn’t known about. How it affects mental health, friendships, it so often is trivialised. I wanted to make people listen and also raise money for the cause.”
Sophie utilised her skills and passion for storytelling and film making to make it happen: “I have always loved being creative, telling stories, being around cameras. So, I created this in my own time, used my own budget, filmed in my village.”
The film, which can be seen on YouTube, and her subsequent charity work, is what got her nominated for the BBC Make A Difference Award, an award which celebrates people in the community who improve the lives of others. With 500 people initially nominated for the range of awards up and down the country, she is one of only 32 people in the final, with only 4 other people in her category.
She is incredibly honoured to be nominated: “It’s amazing! I was gobsmacked. Stunned! It has given me so much more confidence and hope for the future. It’s so nice to be seen, to be recognised.”
Already, Sophie has begun her next fundraising project: “I wanted to raise more money for Young Epilepsy (for which I am now a young ambassador) as well for Caring Hands, a charity who help those in poverty for whom I volunteer once a week, so my next film will help me achieve that.”
Digital Media Production lecturer, Sarah Downing, commented: “I’m incredibly proud of Sophie’s achievement. She has demonstrated creativity and maturity by independently producing her short film, and the money she has raised for charity with this project showcases the impact she is having on others through her storytelling.”
The winners for the BBC Make A Difference Award will be announced on 25th September. Best of luck Sophie!
If you want to watch Sophie’s film ‘Friends’, you can find it here.
If you want to donate to one of Sophie’s chosen charities, the link is here.
