Education has the power to change lives

I was lucky- a combination of Irish Catholic determination and great state schools helped me to get a good degree. On the day of graduation my Nan came up and unsure of the etiquette decided to curtsy to all the tutors she met. At the time I was slightly embarrassed. Only now, with my own daughter working hard at university do I realise what a profound and important source of joy fulfilment and pride having education- and not just university by the way, in your family can mean. My Nan could do whatever she liked. I owed her and still do.

So last week was a week of genuine joy. We have been training 8 brilliant and talented African men and women as film-makers over recent months and last week they graduated from the Silverfish school of Film! I have to say I feel exactly the same emotions about them as I have about my own journey. There was a tear.

Not only are they a talented group, but have no doubt Paradzai, Elton, Ellen, Paul, Patricia, Farai, Walker and Chisomo are going to make world changing films.

At the same time, I attended a session with the Brilliant mediorite charity to help young people closer to home – in Hackney gain entry to the often-closed world of film. They haven’t got the soft skills yet, but they absolutely have talent.

So, it turns out that I want Silverfish not just to make films, but to help support emerging filmmakers. To shake up the dusty Home Counties snow globe and help some amazing people break down barriers.

I think most days about my nan, my sister, my uncle, my mum, and dad and what they must have been thinking and feeling on the day of my graduation.

Thanks you to all of you for helping my understand that feeling in myself. 

I will cherish it as I watch you succeed.