My name is Rebecca Hurford and I am 21. My hobbies are photography and filmmaking.
One of the barriers I have faced growing up is with mental health. I have had an ongoing battle with anxiety, leading me to not always be able to partake in opportunities that I wish to. My anxiety has caused me to feel like a failure sometimes, but I manage to try and overcome this. Apart from my mental health I have not really faced any other barriers, but I have always been interested in the barriers people face around me, this is why I study sociology. I find it really important to educate myself on class, age, gender and ethnicity and the barriers people face with these and how they overcome these barriers.
I learnt about Babbasa through social media, I found the organisations ethos of helping young people from different backgrounds inspiring and I really wanted to be part and engage with a community of people who have the same views as me. I have been part of the Youth Ambassador scheme for the ‘City of Change: Connections’ events. I have really enjoyed working as a team and making these events happen with the help of Zoe, Pravanya and Kofo. I have developed my teamwork skills through this opportunity. Whilst working as a Youth Ambassador I have been working on the engagement team, which has meant that we engage and recruit people to join our events and also try and make as many connections s as we can to join our events. This has been really interesting and has allowed me to expand my communication skills.
I really wanted to take part in the Youth Ambassador scheme as it has been a tough year with everyone having to isolate, due to the COVID 19 pandemic. So, I really wanted to meet new people and feel useful outside of my degree. I have really enjoyed meeting people from different backgrounds and all working together to achieve something positive for other young people.
I am currently studying Sociology at the University of Bristol. I am currently deputy head of features for UBTV (the University of Bristol’s independent student-run YouTube channel) and I am also really interested in becoming a documentary filmmaker after University and making documentaries about global social inequalities.
Recently, I have become a radio presenter for Burst radio (the University of Bristol’s radio station) which I really enjoy, I usually talk about sociological concepts with my friend Beth and explain them to her. In the winter months, I also snowboard, I have been doing this since I was 12 and would love to do it competitively in the future. Since Covid, the hospitality industry has been closed, so I have enjoyed going for walks around the harbourside and Clifton. I also enjoy taking photos of places in Bristol!
I’m really excited to pursue a career in Documentary filmmaking after university. I hope that I will be able to make documentaries about social inequalities in society and hope I create awareness about these inequalities and create social change. In 5 years’ time, I hope to be working at a documentary company in Bristol or travelling the world. If I could give any advice to my younger self, it would be that every failure is a success. I have failed quite a few times, but the most important thing to do is pick yourself up, which I always try to do. Before, I looked at a failure as a really negative thing, but with every failure I become more and more motivated to succeed!
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