A group of young people from Inverness have been getting involved in film making this week, to help boost their confidence and inspire them to make plans for the future.

The film will be produced through Spirit Aid's Shooters Film Project for young people.  Spirit Aid is a Glasgow based children's charity set up and spearheaded by acclaimed actor and director David Hayman. 

Glasgow born David Hayman has a long list of film credits under his belt and is also well known for his television appearances, most notably as Chief Superintendent Michael Walker in mini series, Trial and Retribution.

Spirit Aid has run successful projects in Scotland and overseas with an area of expertise that enables young people to produce their own short films.

The filmmaking strand of Spirit Aid is known as Shooters which offers young people an alternative voice through the medium of filmmaking and an opportunity to work as part of a mature and responsible production team. 

The six young people, aged between 14 and 16 have decided what topic they want to make a film about and are currently scripting it, performing in it, recording, directing and editing it and will give a final showing to family and friends tomorrow (Friday 2 March) at the Spectrum Centre, Inverness.

This group was referred to NCH Scotland by Highland Council's Youth Action Teams, and their staff are also working on the project this week. The group is already working with NCH Scotland's Positive Options Programme that aims to divert young people from anti-social behaviour and substance mis-use by improving their problem solving and decision making skills.

They will be helped to develop their ideas from issues they wish to address and commit to a programme to be shot on video.  Pat Carrigan is the project manager for Shooters and will be working with the group throughout the week. 

The project in Inverness is supported by Careers Scotland and HIE Inverness and East Highland.  Heather Muir, Careers Scotland senior adviser, said:  "The emphasis of the project is on self-development and self-confidence and the key priority is to give young people a voice - an effective way to express their opinions and to be heard.  This process will increase the young people's self-awareness, their ability to make realistic plans and reflect on their performance, as well as have great fun."

Grahame Cooper, co-ordinator of NCH Scotland's Positive Options Programme said: "I am delighted that the young people involved in the programme have been given this opportunity to be involved in such a worthwhile project. I hope that they enjoy and learn from the experience and in doing so improve the skills and choices they can make in their lives."