A resource developed by young people

I am writing with information of a new DVD which explores the science and social impact of skin colour - through music, drama, opinions and interviews. Colour Coded was a participatory project, and around 100 young people in Handsworth have contributed to its development. The DVD includes a grime music video with several storylines about prejudice, as well as revealing the role of melanin in skin colour. There is a five minute drama about a girl who tries to bleach her skin, with dodgy pills bought over the Internet - raising issues of image, friendship and our attitude to skin colour. And there is a sequence in which people describe their skin colour and how others perceive them as a result.

We worked with the Dermatology Team of Birmingham Children's Hospital to create the project, and further into the DVD there are expert interviews with a dermatology nurse, and the senior dermatologist. We also have behind the scenes footage with the actors and musicians, as they discuss some of the issues and carry out their research.

It's been an exciting project to work on and we would really like to make it available to other young people across the UK. We believe it could be a valuable resource for teaching PSHE and citizenship. It has a gritty and authentic approach that we hope will appeal and engage young people who might not otherwise get involved in a discussion on rights, prejudice and social attitudes.

The project was supported by the Wellcome Trust, and the DVD costs £10, inclusive of VAT and postage and packing. It is available from Resource Base, Fairways House, Mount Pleasant Road, Southampton SO14 0QB. Tel: 07850 551 330 for more info.

Karen Gilchrist