Public Health Institute and Drama students create educational film on gang-related violence

LJMU Drama students have joined forces with LJMU’s Public Health Institute to create an educational film helping NHS staff deal with the consequences of gang-related violence in hospital

Faith Dawson, Jessica McGough-Sheils and Filipa Lamb-Vieira portray three young people caught up in a gang-related incident, suffering injuries and needing medical help.

This situation is one that many NHS staff find themselves in, treating victims who fear another attack and act out aggressively towards those trying to help.

The film is set to be shown as part of a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course, run by LJMU’s Public Health Institute, for 60 NHS professionals and will be used as a teaching tool for safeguarding young people, in a clinical setting.

The drama students acted as young people caught up in gang-related violence for the film.

Public Health Institute Senior Lecturer, Dr Conan Leavey said:

“It was great to get the support of our LJMU Drama students who took part in the film, as well as the support from students and colleagues from the School of Nursing and Allied Health. They were amazing and filmed on the hottest day of the year!

“The purpose of the film is to generate conversations amongst NHS professionals about what to do when people seek hospital treatment after gang-related violence.

“People who get caught up in gang-related incidents are often scared and angry. They can be worried further attacks might happen to them whilst in hospital and act aggressively towards NHS staff."

Faith Dawson, LJMU third year Drama student said:

“This was my first time acting in an educational film and the filming was really fun. Conan and the team created a comfortable work environment which enabled us to understand the emotions of our characters involved in a gang-related incident.

“The film not only gave me an opportunity to give back, and help train those who have to deal with these difficult situations, but also to get back into face-to-face acting, post lockdown."

Find out more about the LJMU CPD Violence Prevention, Reduction and Public Health course.

Find out more about studying Drama at LJMU.