'Interactivity' is an innovative, participatory learning project that has engaged 122 individuals from Westminster aged 8 to 83 years.

3 workshop strands ran between January and March 2010, with 1 specifically working with young people from Queens Park and the remaining 2 workshops running as inter-generational projects at The Greenside Community Centre and the Abbey Community Centre.

The young people and adults undertook explorations of local family, community and business heritage, using the rich resources available from Westminster City Archives.  During workshop sessions, participants interviewed members of the community to produce a digital record of how they experience their neighbourhoods.

Professional artists Melissa Bliss and Lucy Williams worked with the groups using digital cameras, professional film and sound recording equipment to digitally document their environment and experiences.  The digital work produced has been integrated into ‘media-scapes’ and Google maps (SW1) (NW8) to create immersive, digital sensory experiences.

The project has been sponsored by Vivendi, a world leader in communications and entertainment.  The sponsorship has enabled Vital Regeneration’s FreqOUT! programme to launch its ‘Vivendi Youth Media Artist’ programme across 2010, where a total of 175 young people from disadvantaged London neighbourhoods will produce their own high quality films, sound-scapes, interactive media-scapes, as well as have the opportunity to take part in a high profile London showcase at the end of the year.  Working in this way, Vital Regeneration will reduce barriers to innovative learning for local young people, allowing them access to free software, technologies and leading industry specialists.

Jenny Irish, Interactivity Project Manager commented:
The project has really helped focus the young people towards their life goals.  The young people visited leading London cultural institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Westminster City Archives which really helped them identify future creative career paths.  We are delighted the first round of the ‘Vivendi Youth Media Artist’ programme has been such a success!
 
Since 2008, Vivendi has been developing its corporate social responsibility programme, 'Create Joy', whose mission is to help disadvantaged young people achieve their full potential through Vivendi’s industries: entertainment and communications.  The Vivendi Create Joy Fund supports projects implemented by Associations and NGOs in the United States, Europe (France and the UK) and Africa. 
 
Diane Emdin, Vivendi's ‘Create Joy’ Fund UK Coordinator said:
Vivendi’s Create Joy programme is very proud to support Vital Regeneration's FreqOUT! programme.  This project totally fits the Create Joy criteria; dedicated to youth, helping them use innovation and technology to get a different insight into their world, giving them an opportunity to express their creativity and learn from others in an artistic environment.  We strongly believe that FreqOUT! will Create Joy!

We would also like to thank the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whose generous support through the Learning Transformation Fund has made this project possible.