VIDEO: Film shows why teenagers love Rotherham

PROUD teenagers have produced their own video showing why they love Rotherham in the hope of challenging others’ “negative view” of the town.

Members of Rotherham Youth Cabinet have created the film, which features the town’s High Street, Clifton Park and All Saints’ Square.

Emilia Ashton and her team have published the clip online to try and change people’s perception of the town.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 17-year-old, who is studying for her A-Levels at Wath Comprehensive School, said: “I’ve lived in Rotherham my whole life and I love it.

“There’s a close-knit community, it’s friendly and there’s plenty to do. The town centre is nice if you want to go shopping, there are tourist attractions nearby and we’ve got good education opportunities with great schools around.”

[xdelx]

Emilia said that people from outside of the borough often put a negative slant on Rotherham rather than focussing on the positive aspects.

“There has been a lot of negative press about Rotherham and every time the area is brought up in the media it seems to be because of something bad,” Emilia said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s frustrating that people who don’t live here make judgements and don’t see what I see.

“It’s the bad things that make the news, rather than all the positive things that happen.

People say we’re a divided community, and that there’s no future for the young people who live here. 

“But people come from all across Rotherham to work with organisations like the Rotherham Youth Cabinet and Looked After Children’s Council on different projects.

Emilia said she planned to share the film on social media.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’re young people and we’re proud to be from here and we want to show the reasons why,” she added.

“There are a lot of good sides to living here — it’s not just what people see in the news.

“I also want to show other young people in Rotherham that they can be proud of where they are from – we’re the next generation and we’re happy to be here and make a difference.”

To find out more about the Youth Cabinet, search for @Rotherham_YC on Twitter.