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Lee McConville, 22, is from Lozells, a deprived area in Birmingham notorious for gang violence, drug abuse and riots. In a radical change of environment, Lee is being sent to Germany this week to report for The Times on the meeting of the world’s most powerful nations – the G8 summit.
 Philip and Lee - different outlooks
A camera crew will follow Lee’s journey and the documentary - Summit About the Boy - will be premiered on Charge, Community Channel’s youth platform on Saturday 30th June at 6pm and 10pm.
The film will mark Charge’s official launch. Lee has already interviewed Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as part of the project. He will also be posting a video blog from the G8 at www.chargetv.co.uk. Charge is funded by youth volunteering charity v and The Vodafone UK Foundation.
 Lee with Jon Snow - among the political reporters
Robert Thomson, Editor, The Times, said: “Journalism is a exciting and exacting profession, and global events such as the G8 serve to highlight the essential skills of a journalist, who must ensure that accuracy and integrity are maintained while in a fast-moving environment, as well as making sure that the story is engaging for the reader. Lee could have no better mentor than Phil Webster, one of the UK’s most respected political journalists and we look forward to reading Lee’s work in The Times and at Times Online.”
Philip Webster, Political Editor, The Times said: “"Lee has been given a wonderful opportunity and has seized it with enthusiasm. I have never done anything like this but it has been a most exciting challenge to help him and to ensure that he maximizes the opportunity."
Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, initiated the Youth Mentoring scheme. She said:
"We set up Youth Mentoring to help young people develop their skills, but also to inspire their hopes and dreams to change their lives in a positive way. But mentoring is a two way street - a rewarding personal experience benefiting both mentor and mentee with new skills and perspectives that can be truly life enhancing.
"I was fortunate to be the first person to be interviewed by Lee, who impressed me immensely by his drive to find new skills and to grasp this challenging opportunity. I wish both Lee and Philip a rewarding experience in the international arena of the G8.
"And I look forward to seeing some of today's media mentees as the journalists, broadcasters and technicians of tomorrow."
Adam Perry, Community Channel Head of Programmes said, “The Charge G8 special is an excellent introduction to viewers of what Charge is all about. Ranging from socially engaging content to favourite bands, mobile-filmed content to short films, Charge will be the You Tube with a conscience.”
For further information about Youth Mentoring, visit www.mediatrust.org/youth-mentoring
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Editors’ Notes
Media Trust
Media Trust works in partnership with the media industry to build effective communications for the charity and voluntary sectors. It does this through media training seminars and workshops, film and TV production (Media Trust Productions), broadcasting (Community Channel), news distribution (Community Newswire), media matching and campaigns. Media Trust corporate members are BBC, BSkyB, Channel 4, Daily Mail and General Trust, Discovery Networks Europe, Disney Channel UK, Emap plc, Guardian Media Group, ITV, MTV Networks UK & Ireland, News International, Newsquest Media Group, Time Warner and WPP Group.
Visit: www.mediatrust.org
Charge
Broadcast daily at 6pm and 10pm on Community Channel, Charge is an interactive platform for young people dedicated to showcasing dynamic, socially engaging content. It offers a wide range of original material including artwork, indie-films, low budget shorts, charity concerts and music videos from some of Britain’s best unsigned bands. www.chargetv.co.uk
Community Channel
Community Channel
Community Channel is dedicated to engaging audiences with the charitable and voluntary sector, showcasing stories and issues that inspire action and encourage involvement. Broadcasting original shows, the best of terrestrial TV and showcasing the work of new directors and community programme makers, Community Channel is the place for real-life stories from communities around the world. The channel is a free-to-air TV station available to 16.5 million digital households in the UK. Around 1.2 million people tune in every month (source: BARB) and we receive more than 12,000 responses a week from viewers.
The Vodafone UK Foundation
The Vodafone UK Foundation is a registered charity. It is one of 19 local country Foundations funded by The Vodafone Group Foundation and also receives donations from Vodafone UK Limited.
The Vodafone UK Foundation helps 16-25 year olds in the UK to live fuller lives, primarily by increasing their access to information and opportunities and through the use of mobile technology based solutions where possible. The focus is particularly on those young people at risk of exclusion. It also supports local communities in areas where Vodafone has a significant physical presence and Vodafone employees who are involved in community activities.
Wherever possible The Vodafone UK Foundation provides charity partners with a range of resources in addition to financial support.
Further information can be found on www.vodafoneukfoundation.org <http://www.vodafoneukfoundation.org>
Youth volunteering charity, v
v is an independent charity which was launched in May 2006 to champion youth volunteering in England. Its aim is to inspire a million more young people aged 16-25 to volunteer. To do this, v is working to increase the quantity, quality and diversity of volunteering opportunities available to young people. v is led by the cares, interests, passions and beliefs of young people.
v has been formed as an independent charity using an innovative new model which allows funds raised from the private sector to be matched by the Government. Up to £50 million has been allocated by the Government for this purpose over the next three years.
For further information visit www.wearev.com
Fairbridge
Fairbridge enables young people from inner cities to meet the opportunities and responsibilities of society today, by offering them a long-term personal development programme that builds confidence, motivation and personal, social and life skills. The charity works out of 16 teams in the UK, supporting over 3,500 young people a year. Lee McConville has attended the Fairbridge West Midlands for the last six months
www.respect.gov.uk
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