Community Channel gives charities a boost

Digital TV station the Community Channel has added two charity based programmes to its schedule.

My Illness is a five part series for medical research charity the Wellcome Trust, which explores the impact of living with chronic conditions such as asthma, bipolar disorder, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

The series is funded by a Wellcome Trust grant awarded to Media Trust Productions, which produces many of the channel's programmes. Jane Stephenson, Media Trust Production's creative director, led the bid and will executive produce the five-part series. Confirmed directors for the series so far include Paul Wu.

Caroline Hurren, head of public engagement development group at the Wellcome Trust, said: "The films will enable the wider public to explore the devastation of living with illnesses, such as asthma and leukemia, in fitting with our aim of increasing public awareness of health and biomedical science."

A three part series for the youth development charity the Citizenship Foundation, called Giving Nation Challenge, is also to be shown. The series follows three teams of school children over a five week period, as they strive to set up competing social enterprises to help local charities. The chosen teams will be decided by a panel in a Dragon's Den-style pitching process.

Media Trust Production's Jane Stephenson will again executive produce. Vanessa Hudson and Amanda Burrell will direct.

Terry Silvers, Giving Nation team leader at the Citizenship Foundation said: “Media Trust Productions understood the concept of the Giving Nation Challenge straight away and we're sure they will produce an entertaining and inspiring TV programme.”