Strode College’s Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production is equipping students with industry-ready skills through hands-on work experience, fostering connections with local organisations, and preparing them for careers in the creative industries.

A standout collaboration within the course is the ongoing partnership with Route1 Advocacy, a Somerset Council program that supports vulnerable children. Now in its fifth year, this initiative highlights how both students and the wider community benefit from creative engagement.

Supporting a Vital Cause Through Media

Route1 Advocacy provides essential support for young people within Somerset Children’s Social Care. Volunteers act as advocates—ensuring children’s voices are heard in key decisions—or as independent visitors, offering long-term support to children in care. As the program expands, Route1 Advocacy is actively seeking more volunteers, and Strode College’s media students have played a key role in raising awareness through their creative work.

For the fifth consecutive year, students have produced a series of engaging short animations to promote Route1 Advocacy’s mission and encourage volunteer recruitment. Using digital video and animation techniques, the students have created content that clearly conveys the program’s work, featured across Route1 Advocacy’s website and social media platforms, including Instagram and YouTube.

Expanding Industry Experience Through Live Briefs

The Route1 Advocacy project is just one example of the live briefs and work placements undertaken by students in the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production. The program is designed to provide students with diverse, industry-relevant experience, allowing them to build a professional portfolio while working on high-profile projects.

Beyond their work with Route1 Advocacy, students have also created promotional videos for:

• The NHS (Yeovil’s online marketing team)
• Glastonbury Abbey
• Worthy FM, the official radio station of Glastonbury Festival
• Local gaming shops, including The Geeky Gamer and Insane Games

Through these projects, students refine their skills in video production, animation, editing, and storytelling while also developing essential professional competencies such as client communication, time management, and meeting deadlines—ensuring they are well-prepared for the media industry.

Adrian Smith, Course Leader for Creative Media Production, said:

"The ongoing collaboration with Route1 Advocacy has been an incredibly rewarding experience for both the students and the program. It's a perfect example of how live projects allow students to engage with real-world issues, develop their creative and technical skills, and understand how their work can make a positive impact in the community."

Industry-Ready Skills for Future Careers

For Route1 Advocacy, this partnership has been instrumental in reaching a wider audience and attracting new volunteers.

Julie Rickwood of Route1 Advocacy commented:

"The students have done an outstanding job bringing our message to life through animation. Their work not only helps us recruit new volunteers but also ensures our message is accessible and engaging for all."

For prospective students, Strode College’s Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production offers an exciting opportunity to develop creative and technical skills while working on industry-standard projects. The course, equivalent to three A Levels, provides a strong foundation for careers in Film and TV Production, Journalism, Game Design, and Media Communications. Many graduates go on to university or directly enter the creative industries, armed with the experience and portfolio needed to succeed.

Interested in joining?

Find out more about the Creative Media Production course at Strode College here.

https://www.strode-college.ac.uk/