EP NowStoreAcademySupportProduction LotProducts by Country
Blog Home

Celebrating (Almost) 20 Years of MAMA Youth Project

UK charity’s founder, Bob Clarke, shares how this unique initiative is breaking down barriers to employment in the media industry.
April 17, 2024
EP Blog-WIDE-Celebrating 20 Years of Mama Youth Project

Everyone deserves a shot at success – that’s the philosophy behind MAMA Youth Project, the UK charity founded in 2005 by film & TV veteran Bob Clarke. A shining exemplar of what’s possible when people are given access to the right support and resources, MAMA Youth Project is on a mission to break down barriers to employment in the media industry for young people from challenging backgrounds.

An idea is born

Bob’s own background is central to the ethos of MAMA Youth Project. Growing up in North West London, Bob found himself in trouble with some of the boys he hung around with. With limited options and uncertainty over his future, Bob joined the army where he gained a strong sense of purpose and discipline – both of which have stayed with him until this day.

After 14 years of service, Bob took a part-time role in a video duplication warehouse to ease himself back into civilian life. On stumbling upon the editing room and talking his way into a job, Bob went on to work at various post-production houses before starting his own production facility, MAMA Productions, in 2003.

When a chance conversation left him questioning the lack of Black representation in the industry, Bob decided to throw his own pebble in the water and see if he could make a splash. In 2005 he launched the MAMA Youth Project, recruiting young adults aged 18-25 from underrepresented or challenging backgrounds to work on all MAMA Productions commissions going forward.

A commitment to inclusivity

MAMA Youth Project is open to anyone aged 18-25 facing significant life hurdles or limited educational or employment opportunities, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. This broad approach to inclusion is a cornerstone of MAMA Youth Project and something Bob is passionate about: “Inclusion often means excluding one group in favour of another,” he says. “At MAMA Youth Project, we help everybody. It’s true inclusion.”

Another cornerstone of MAMA Youth Project is its focus on tangible outcomes – specifically, employment – rather than mere representation or participation. “I want to give young people a reason to wake up in the morning,” says Bob. “That’s why anything we do has to have a tangible outcome for the person we’re doing it for.”

And this approach is clearly paying off. Since its inception, MAMA Youth Project has trained over 900 young people, with the vast majority going on to secure employment in leading studios and production companies such as the BBC, Banijay, Fremantle, Warner Bros and Netflix.

Sought-after talent 

MAMA Youth Project’s practical training programme means that graduates are ready to hit the ground running. Created to kickstart careers in broadcast and digital media, the eight-week course provides hands-on experience in the roles of production coordinator, production manager, researcher, editor, locations manager, sound engineer and camera production manager. 

Playfully described as a “bootcamp,” the course leverages Bob’s military experience to prepare participants for the demands of the industry. “Many of our trainees have never had a job before,” Bob explains. “So, as well as technical skills, we teach them the work ethics needed for our industry. Timekeeping is a big one, but even small things like taking your coat off inside.”

But for Bob, the thing that sets MAMA Youth alumni apart is the practical experience they gain from working on real productions. “They understand the bigger picture of what they’re doing and everything that goes into making a TV show. This means they need less investment as a new entrant, so it’s a good business decision for the employer.”

MAMA Youth Picture-PGGB-Earl of Wessex.jpeg
MAMA Youth Project team pose with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and Lyndsay Duthie, CEO of PGGB

Ongoing support 

A true mentor, Bob’s impact has extended beyond immediate job placement to a life-long support system to help graduates continue to thrive. “When I started MAMA Youth Project, it was all about getting people into employment,” he reflects. “But I couldn’t stop there, because even if you get that opportunity, if you don’t have a support network in place, it’s no good.”

By leveraging this safety net, alumni are able to show up and focus on the job. This freedom to excel is crucial to their success, with 96% of alumni still in sustained employment one year after completing the training.

A lasting legacy

When Bob cast his pebble into the water, he had no idea the impact it would have. “I call our alumni the pioneers of their bloodline,” he says. “Because they’re alright, so their children, and their grandchildren, and their great grandchildren should be alright too. I’ll be dead and gone, but the ripple effect [of MAMA Youth Project] will carry on through generations.” 

This ripple effect was formally recognised at the Production Guild of Great Britain’s 2023 Talent Showcase, supported by Entertainment Partners, where MAMA Youth Project was shortlisted for the inaugural Earl of Wessex Award for its outstanding contribution to fostering inclusivity in the UK film and TV industry.

Despite its successes, as a registered charity MAMA Youth Project faces an ongoing challenge to obtain the resources necessary to expand and deepen its impact. But as the charity approaches its 20th anniversary, its legacy – and that of Bob – is clear.

By focusing on inclusion, tangible impacts and lifelong support, MAMA Youth Project is not only transforming individual lives; it’s also a pioneering force for inclusion in the media industry and beyond.

Find out more about MAMA Youth Project here.

Topic: Spotlight

Related Content

Fully Focused-Thumbnail-480

Entertainment Partners and Fully Focused Partner to Support the Future of UK Production

5/7/2024
New partnership aims to foster the next generation of UK production professionals and break down barriers...
More
EP Newsroom-Thumbnail-PGGB

PGGB Talent Development Fund: Year Two Reception

11/29/2024
The Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB) recently celebrated the wrap of the second year of its Talent...
EP Newsroom-Thumbnail-PGGB

PGGB Membership Focus: Talent Development Alumni

11/25/2024
In its latest Membership Focus, the Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB) spoke to members who have...
RTS Film & TV Mini MBA students

Royal Television Society Launches Film & TV Mini MBA with Support from EP’s FLB Accountants

10/3/2024
This first-of-its-kind course is aimed at media professionals who want to broaden their skillset and...
EP News_SQUARE_Breaking Down Barriers-How Leading UK Organisations are Driving Inclusion in Film and TV

Breaking Down Barriers: How Leading UK Organisations are Driving Inclusion in Film and TV

6/17/2024
Notable UK training bodies and industry partners gather to reaffirm their mission to drive change and...
National Film and Television School

Entertainment Partners To Provide Funding For Future Assistant Directors And Floor Managers

3/28/2024
Two new scholarship opportunities are now available for those looking to train in the field of assistant...
Calculating UK tax increases

Budgeting for 2025: UK Tax Increases Impacting Film & TV Productions

11/26/2024
Learn how changes to UK payroll taxes and minimum wage rates will affect new and existing productions from...
Canada invests in crew training and education as teacher leads students on a film set

Canada Invests in Training and Education to Strengthen Film & TV Crew Base

11/20/2024
Learn about the diverse education and development programs put in place to train the next wave of talented...

What Does the UK's Enhanced VFX Rate Mean for Productions?

11/6/2024
Learn how the incoming enhancement of the UK's VFX incentive rate, including the eligibility of generative...
Self-employed crew members work on set

New UK Employment Rights Bill: Significant Reform for Film & TV's Self-Employed?

10/29/2024
The highly anticipated Employment Rights Bill makes some major changes to UK employment law. But what does...
Film crew on UK independent film tax credit production

UK Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC) Approved: Key Updates for Producers

10/10/2024
The UK government has passed the new Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC) into law, providing welcome...
Dark-haired woman operates a steadycam on set

The Producer’s Guide to Unions in the UK Film and TV Industry

10/1/2024
Take a whistlestop tour of the main unions governing the UK film and TV industry so that you can be...
People on set discuss incentives estimates

Incentives Estimate or Opinion Letter: Which One Is Right for My Production?

9/25/2024
Looking to obtain funding for your production? Learn whether an incentives estimate or an opinion letter...
Thumbnail-Master Series panelists discuss Australia's Location Offset film incentive

How to Maximize the Benefits of Australia’s 30% Location Offset

8/22/2024
Learn how to boost your production's budget with the recently ratified Location Offset, other state and...

California vs. the World: The Race to Nab Film and TV Productions

8/22/2024
Locales from Atlanta to Tokyo are steadily beefing up their tax relief programs in bids to attract...
Cameramen with professional equipment films two young people

What is an Incentives Estimate and Why Do I Need One?

8/21/2024
Find out how an incentives estimate can help you to lock down your production's finance plan and turn your...
UK Phases Out Biometric Residence Documents

More Right to Work Changes as UK Phases Out Biometric Residence Documents

8/8/2024
Find out what UK productions should do to prepare for the expiration of biometric residence permits on...
Topic: Legal
More
Camera man on a film set

How Could the UK’s New Labour Government Impact Employers in the Film & TV Industry?

7/25/2024
Learn about policies proposed under the Labour government's 'New Deal for Working People' that may impact...
Woman looking at a laptop

20 IR35 Terms Every Production Worker Should Know

5/28/2024
Find out how to apply the UK’s IR35 rules to your film and TV productions with this helpful overview.

Navigating the Screen Industry: A Deep Dive into Production Accounting

5/15/2024
Production accountants Tegan Zekirovski and Ramadan Zekirovski on the AFTRS Production Accounting...
Master Series Thumbnail–UK indie film tax credit

Boost Your Budget with the Independent Film Tax Credit

5/9/2024
Learn how to maximize UK incentive dollars with the new IFTC!
Students in a classroom

Entertainment Partners Offers Production Accounting Training Courses with AFTRS and ACE

5/8/2024
Director of Training, Jill Hewitt, leads specialized programs to educate and place accountants across...

Spotlight: Lloyd Gunton, UK Tax Credit Expert

5/7/2024
Meet the creative sector tax expert helping EP clients from indies to major studios maximize incentives...
Cameraman filming outside in a field

HMRC Announces Changes to Claiming UK Creative Sector Tax Incentives

4/26/2024
What productions should know about the increased disclosure requirements under the UK's Audio-Visual...
Producer and actor standing on a film set

How to Prepare for an Audit: Tips for UK Productions

4/16/2024
Discover key strategies UK film and TV production companies can use to effectively prepare for an audit.
Topic: UK
More
Camera man and production crew on a film set

Curious About Co-productions? What Producers Need to Know.

4/9/2024
Discover the advantages, requirements, and strategies for successful co-productions in the film industry.
Entertainment Partners Logo Thumbnail-square

BSO and CMPA Launch New BSO-CMPA Black Producer Accelerator Program

4/2/2024
New Black Producer Accelerator Program focuses on increasing representation and supporting the career...

BSO, CMPA Launch Accelerator for Black Producers

4/2/2024
The 20-week program will see emerging Black producers receive paid training at a CMPA member company.

What Does the UK's New Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC) Mean for Productions?

3/7/2024
As the UK government strengthens its support for productions, find out what the latest changes to the...

Payroll & Finances

PayrollResidualsSmartStartSmartTimeEP On LocationSmartAccountingEP LiveSmartPOCASHétPayPaymaster Rate GuideEP ResidencyMoneypenny

Manage Multiple Productions

AssetHubSmartHub

Additional Services

Academy
Subscribe now

Be an industry insider with EP's
newsletters and alerts

LegalPrivacy NoticeSecurity
© 2024 Entertainment Partners. All rights reserved.