TAG 19 by East Sussex College

Street Style

Looking good on a budget

First Time

Losing your virginity can be awkward

DODIE

“I like taking huge scary feelings and putting them in songs so I feel like I have some sort of power over them...” TAG ‘19 talk to Dodie about her new EP ‘Human’, her YouTube career and her future plans.

Indie Cinema

The UK’s independent cinema industry has been quietly expanding

Male Mental Health

Everyone has a mental health – not everyone has a good one

someone you loved

Teens dealing with grief

DESIGNED AND Produced by students at EAST SUSSEX College, Eastbourne – UAL Extended Diploma Creative Media Production and technology

2017-18 062

1 IN 12 TESTED HAVE CHLAMYDIA It’s easy to catch, easy to pass on and easy not to notice. Thankfully it’s just as easy to test for and treat.

Order a FREE home-test kit at eastsussexsexualhealth.co.uk

TAG â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;19 COVERS Tia Shelley Design: Jacob Podrygajlo, Jayden Fuller

ach year we give a brief to our talented art students at East Sussex College to design the front cover for the magazine you have in your hands now. The brief was to create a picture of Dodie that reflects her individuality as a musician. We had some amazing submissions. However we could only pick one. We voted for a winner, each person on the team had a first and second choice and at the end we chose the one with the most votes. A huge thank you for the effort of everyone who submitted a design, we loved them all! To show our appreciation we decided to print them in the magazine so that you can all see the talent we have at East Sussex College.

To enrol onto these courses at Eastbourne campus, they are: 6070/010 UAL Extended Diploma in Art & Design Level 3 and 4020/020 UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design Level 3/4

Tag 2019 production team DESIGN

Jake Baldwin Jayden Fuller Josh Green Bethany Hamblett-Griggs Luke Harmer Peter Maiden Jade Meredith-Sullivan Liam Mustapha Jacob Podrygajlo

Editorial

Erin Bacon Tia Shelley Isaac Shelton

FEATURE WRITING

Erin Bacon Jake Baldwin Daniel Brown Faye Cole Lauren Cracknell Jayden Fuller Kai Fern Sprinks Josh Green Keiran Grounds Bethany Hamblett-Griggs Luke Harmer Rem Harper Carmela Hughes George Kemp Peter Maiden Jack Marshall Jade Meredith-Sullivan Jade Muncey Liam Mustapha Melissa Naish

Contents young lesbian Life 2 Is the future really female in film? 3 Gender Pay Gaps in the EU 3 Entering the world of employment 4

Oscar O’Kill Dylan Owen Tia Shelley Isaac Shelton

ask auntie 5 STREET STYLE 8

Sales

THE UNSUSTAINABLE TRUTH about FAST FASHION 10

Jonathan Hicks Oscar O’kill Tia Shelley

Thinking about losing it? 13

Photography

Bethany Hamblett-Griggs Luke Harmer George Kemp Peter Maiden Jade Meredith-Sullivan Melissa Naish Amelia Palmer Ryan Thompson

Sex and sensibility 14 MALE MENTAL HEALTH 15 online sensation - ‘dodie’ on music and mental health 16 RISE ABOVE 21

SOCIAL MEDIA

EFFECTS OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL 22

Joel Endersby Calum Gray Jonathan Hicks Oscar O’Kill

COUNTY LINES 22 the habit that’s hard to break 23

Distribution managers

teens DEALING WITH GRIEF 25

Joel Endersby Calum Gray

Cosmetic Cruelty 26 fashion made me sick 27

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS Causeway School

the comeback of independent CINEMA 28 Fight The Power 29 K-POP – STILL CLEANCUT? 30

Printed locally using environmentally-friendly vegetable-based inks by BKT (FSC® and ISO14001 certified)

Cover design by Luigi Sales, UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

WYNTERCON COMING TO EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE 30 CHRISTIANITY – have we moved on? 31 DEATH BY SOCIAL MEDIA 32 MUD, MUSIC, MAYHEM 33

Do you want your business to be seen by 20,000 young people across Sussex? Advertise in Tag 2020. Contact: saffron.swansborough@sussexdowns.ac.uk

Design: Jade Meredith-Sullivan Typeset in Open Sans 1

Young lesbian Life

Rem Harper

Design: Design:Jade Meredith-Sullivan

or many people, to feel comfortable with their sexuality and being able to express themselves requires role models and media icons; though Brighton is full of drag queens and queer nights, most of the opportunities to be around these are for over 18s. The lack of real-life role models may cause many queer teens to look to film or TV for representation of their sexuality, though as a GLAAD study found, only 4.8% of TV characters identified as LGBTQ+, and of those 4.8%, only 17% were lesbians. From these statistics alone, it’s clear to see there is a serious lack of lesbians in the media.

“it still feels like a big deal when a lesbian relationship is included in the narrative of a mainstream film or TV show” Storm Greenwood

Being near the ‘unofficial gay capital of the UK’ – Brighton, life as a young LGBT person, but more specifically a young lesbian, may be perceived as easy and normal; though how true this perception is, is open to question. acceptance, but I do have friends who had negative experiences” Storm explained, “The last thing we want to do is start gate keeping and asking people to prove their queer affiliations… but equally it does get complicated when straight people are only interested in the party aspect and not the political element.” Flick responded saying, “I think Brighton Pride still very much has similar merits and means… it fills me with joy and even made my straight friend cry due to the acceptance of the whole event, unifying a previously shamed group.” She however mentioned that these days “it is slightly more commercial.” Life may never be completely easy for all young queers, though there are an increasing amount of services and events that can be accessed once people turn 18, and for those who need support sooner, Storm has this advice: “It’s obvious really, but the most important thing is to be unabashedly yourself. It’s going to feel scary sometimes, and that’s okay. Know that whilst being queer can be hard, it also gives you an extended, diverse, international family of people who will support you. Always be kind to yourself.”

In film, positive lesbian roles weren’t visible until the 1990s, though their representation was more pornographic than anything else. In fact, it could be argued that this wasn’t positive, as it portrayed lesbians as sexualised for the straight, male fantasy.

Individual Experience

To get a further understanding of how young lesbians feel, Tag ’19 interviewed Storm Greenwood (24) and Flick Downs (15), two openly lesbian women from East Sussex. When asked if she thought there was a lack of lesbian role models in the media, Flick stated “I would say there is a lack of lesbian representation… when it’s done it very much relies on stereotypes, sex or misfortune,” Storm stated, “it still feels like a big deal when a lesbian relationship is included in the narrative of a mainstream film or TV show.” Brighton Pride is an event that anyone can attend: queer, straight or non-conformist. It’s a rare event where young queers can feel totally themselves. We asked Storm and Flick whether it’s become hijacked by hetero young people using it as an excuse to party, “My personal experience of Brighton Pride this year was one of

If you need advice about being gay, or supporting a friend who’s gay, visit: www.youngstonewall.org.uk 2

representation … very much relies on stereotypes Flick Downs

Is the future really female in film?

Erin Bacon

Design: Jade Meredith-Sullivan

“For those of us in the industry who are still foolishly clinging to the idea that female films with women at the centre are niche experiences. They are not. Audiences want to see them, and in fact, they earn money”

hese were Cate Blanchett’s words as she picked up her Oscar for Best Actress in 2014. She is clearly addressing everyone in the film industry, knowing that for her brief 45 second time limit on stage, she has the attention of every filmmaker, critic, and actor in Hollywood. Her point, of course, is irrefutable. It’s a point that resonates to the many women working in film that know they have to work twice as hard as a man to get half as much credit. Two years ago, The New York Film Academy stated that only 30% of speaking roles in films were given to women, and men had more than 37K dialogues whereas women only had 15K. When women aren’t serving solely as body props, they’re often the stars of the sardonically titled chick flicks, where a woman’s success and/or happiness more often than not depends entirely on a man. Considering that women make up 51% of the world’s population, these depressing statistics magnify the desperate need for change in Hollywood. Ariane Whittle, a 20 year old film student at the University of Essex, told Tag ’19, “the film industry needs to allow acceptance in its purest form. No biases, no stereotypes, no judgements, and they need to erase the notion that film is just a male dominated industry. Film is about creativity, and the art is blind to its creator. We, the audience, acknowledge the creator, but if we were to predominantly pay attention to the film then it can be appreciated for what it is, regardless of the gender of the people standing behind the camera.” In recent years, there has definitely been a rise in the number of women-led films, and also a lot more awareness of the lack of them altogether, but it doesn’t mean they have all been met with open arms. When the all-female Ghostbusters was released in 2016, there was outrage from masses of men that were fans of the originals. Many of these fans gave the new film a 1/10 rating before it was even released. A quick glance at the IMDb accounts will show you that these early critics were notably male. All of this because it was women that were the driving force behind the film. These beliefs limit the movie industry’s relevance

in today’s marketplace, making it harder for women to becoming well-respected artists in their own rights. Whittle says that when she began to study film, the perception of women in the industry did initially deter her from entering the profession, “I have always subconsciously known that entering the film industry would be more challenging as a consequence of the fact I am female. Sometimes it made me feel slightly inept, and that my input wouldn’t be valid or valued as highly as others because of my gender.” The issue of gender isn’t limited to onscreen representation, in fact there are far fewer women working behind the scenes in films. From the same NYFA report, it showed that there are five men working behind the scenes for every woman doing the same types of jobs, and for every female script writer, there are seven male. The problem is that the messages being conveyed to the audiences of these films are mostly from a man’s point of view, reflecting their experiences and beliefs about life. The old expression “it’s a man’s world” seems scarily accurate here, because the audiences are primarily experiencing the limited male viewpoint of the world, and then this is a cycle that repeats itself. According to Whittle, “The industry should acknowledge that different people are capable of possessing different powers, regardless.” This issue isn’t just restricted to gender, but also sadly there are issues regarding the imbalance of age, ethnicity, sexuality and so on. It’s important that we keep speaking out about diversity issues to be able to make a difference. It is also imperative that women are actively seeking out these jobs so that female perspectives are represented on screen.

“The industry needs to allow acceptance in its purest form. No biases, no stereotypes, no judgements, and they need to erase the notion that film is a male dominated industry. Film is about creativity, and the art is blind to its creator.”

Gender Pay Gaps in the EU Oscar O’Kill Design: Jade Meredith-Sullivan Brussels has recently raised a warning about the current wage gaps across Europe. Recent figures show that workplace culture and pay are discouraging new fathers from taking parental leave. Dads in the UK are eligible for exactly two weeks of paternity leave, but only 22% of fathers use it. According to a Eurobarometer study, half of British fathers would take parental leave if compensation levels were higher and 38% felt they needed support from bosses and colleagues around them to take the time.

was this only just discovered?

In the Office of National Statistics annual survey of hours and earnings, the gender pay gap for men and women for full-time employees in the workplace dropped to 8.6% in April 2018. This average pay gap was down from 9.1% in 2017 and over 17.4 per cent back in 1997.

how did this become an issue in the first place?

Some of the gender pay gap between workers was explained by a failure to enforce current existing legislation on equal pay. The commissioner said, “It is discrimination, it is the same work and different pay … It is obvious that there is not sufficient enforcement.” As you can see, board members are trying very hard to enforce these rules, as it not only affects men and women, but families too, in this case fathers trying to take parental leave. Some may say the pay gap doesn’t matter, but these facts and the way it affects all of us, be it friends or family, or us in the future, shows otherwise.

Ariane Whittle 3

Entering the world of employment

George Kemp

Design: Peter Maiden

Many jobs require you to have previous experience, but how will you get the experience if you can’t get a job? The cycle is never-ending.

art-time work is a brilliant way of getting experience of the ‘real’ world. Working in a professional environment can provide a boost in personal confidence, the opportunity to make friends outside of your normal circle and the added perk of having financial independence! However, bagging that first job is not always easy. Many jobs require you to have previous experience, but how will you get the experience if you can’t get a job? The cycle is never-ending. When looking for your first job, sometimes you can’t help but be fussy with where you choose to apply. However, when there is plenty of competition, you can’t afford to be picky! Many first time applicants are used to the obligatory

“tell tag ’19 about your first job”

Tia What was it? Working in a major brand fast food outlet. Did you like it? Not at all because the management was horrible. Any bad experiences with customers? Yes a lot of them, a lot of weird ones. There was a man about 70 years old who gave me a piece of paper saying ‘can we be friends’ and he asked for my number. 4

Jade What was it? Working as a waitress at a wedding catering company, I was there for about 4 months until I found a better paid job but I did enjoy it though.

Isaac What was it? Working in a supermarket, stacking shelves from 6am. I absolutely hated it because it was always so cold being near the fridges.

Any bad customer experiences? The men could be a bit inappropriate. Some customers used to try and get discounts by being picky about the food and service for no apparent reason. It was off-putting at first, but I got used to it.

Any bad customer experiences? This one Elderly gentleman asked me to explain what hummus was. When I explained, he didn’t know what chickpeas were, which made it hard for him to grasp. He then continued to question if I was speaking English.

rejection email. Ah, the joy of reading the lines: “Dear xxxx, thank you for your interest in our company. Unfortunately…” Currently, the law requires employers to pay a minimum wage of £4.35 an hour to workers under the age of 18 which then jumps to £6.15 on your eighteenth birthday. 16/17 year olds can work a maximum of eight hours a day while 13-15 year olds are limited to working 12 hours a week during school term time. While the law states the minimum amount companies legally have to pay you, many pay much more and have suitable contracts for young people in education. The internet is your friend when searching for a job as most employers post their advertisements online. Websites such as Indeed.com and Fridayad.co.uk can be used to find jobs in your area. Applications couldn’t be easier, as the majority require you to fill out an online form. Don’t be afraid to search shop windows! Although considered old fashioned, local businesses still stick up advertisements in their shop fronts. Have a CV prepared so that you can hand it in to shop when you notice a job ad. Frustratingly, when under 16 it can be harder to find work because of insurance laws, so don’t be afraid to ask family and friends if you can help out with their work or undertake some tasks in return for money. The first step to getting a job is applying. It might be easy to compare yourself to friends who were fortunate enough to score a job on their first attempt. Rejection is not necessarily a bad thing, and can often result in you getting that perfect job better suited to your abilities and interests. “It is important to get back up after rejection because you cannot let it get to you.” One student adds, “I found that if you are friendly with the interviewers, they are more likely to get back to you and let you know how you did.” Now, working in retail, he believes it’s “important to work from an early age and find something that matches your school/college schedule”. According to a Freedom of Information request, the number of 13–15 year olds working part time has fallen by 20% in the past five years. Many young people have concerns of work affecting their education. However, the two complement each other. Getting ahead on in the employment ladder is positive for the future and many universities encourage part time employment. Finding a job that suits your education is important. Leaving time for studying and down time is a priority but the valuable life skills you learn at work can only be acquired by finding yourself a job. Although the idea of a job might not be the most attractive thing at first, it’s key to expanding your confidence and building your own financial independence. If you’re currently looking for work, just remember the key clichés: Perseverance is key, don’t give up, and be yourself.

ask auntie

“how do i...”

How do I tell my best friend I’m gay? I’m 18 and I’ve been gay for as long as I can remember and my best friend of 10 years doesn’t know. I’m scared to tell him because I don’t want him to feel weird around me as if I am in love with him. What should I do?

It’s a common fear for members of the LGBTQ+ community to come out to a same sex friend, because there is always that fear that they are going to turn around and reject you. From what you have said about you being friends for 10 years I can’t see any reason that your friend would not accept you. Even though it’s hard to hear, if he doesn’t like you for you after all this time, then you were not the best friends that you thought you were, and there is no point in keeping that sort of negativity in your life. My advice? Tell him. It may be difficult but if you don’t do it now, you never will.

Tia Shelley

Do I make the switch from pads to tampons?

Design: Jayden Fuller

I’m 16 years old and the only person in my friendship group that still uses sanitary pads. Should I be using tampons? Different females prefer different items to use when they are on their period. Your period is a big deal and you deserve to be as comfortable as you can be at that time of month. The thing with tampons is at first, they can feel uncomfortable for some women, however they become more and more manageable as time goes on. The difference between pads and tampons is the effect they have. If you have heavy periods you should use tampons because as effective as pads are, they can only hold so much before soaking through. If you don’t have heavy periods and are happy with wearing pads then by all means stick to that, however it is worth trying tampons as you may prefer them in the future. When it comes to putting in a tampon for the first time, like I said before, it may be a bit uncomfortable but if you follow the instructions it should be pretty simple. After trying you will know for sure which one you prefer. Do not feel like you need to switch just because other people are. Your time of month is horrible enough, so be as comfortable as you can.

How do I tell my parents I smoke? I’ve been smoking for a good couple of years now and I’m sick of hiding it from my parents. Every time they come up the stairs I’m scared they are going to catch me. I would have told them by now if they hadn’t praised me for being the only one in the family that doesn’t smoke. Firstly, if everyone in your family already smokes then they have no right to judge you. You’ve grown up around smokers, inhaled the smoke they’ve given you and so they cannot lecture you on not smoking. You’re smoking in your room and expect them not to catch you? A part of me feels as though you feel getting caught would be easier than telling them. My advice? Come out and tell them. You can go one of two ways - bringing it up casually into the conversation/ lighting a cigarette when they are smoking. Or sitting them down and talking to them. They may get angry at you but I guess that their reaction would either be helping you quit smoking or letting you carry on but try to quit before it’s too late. Read our article on page 23 on nicotine addiction for more tips.

Do I tell my parents I’m getting a tattoo?

Do I have to choose between my parents? My parents have recently divorced and I feel pressured to choose between them. Help? Your parents may disagree on lots of things, however the one thing that I know they will agree on is that you deserve to have both parents. Unfortunately, if your parents feel comfortable enough to talk to you about the issues between them, they may say things about each other that may sway your opinion left, right and centre. You, as their child, should never have to give your opinion on the situation if you don’t have to. This is the same when feeling pressured to pick a side. You should not be made to choose as they are both your parents and so long they did nothing wrong to you, then you should feel the same about them both as you always have. It may be difficult to tell them you don’t want to get involved, but in the long run it might put it into perspective that neither of them are getting anywhere by insulting the other, and hopefully it will convince them to stop.

I’ve always wanted a tattoo and even designed one that means a lot to me but my mum hates them. She has one herself and regrets it and I think that’s why she doesn’t want me to get one. She said to me that now I’m 18 it’s my choice but she doesn’t want to know about it if it does happen. I’ve already put down a deposit. Do I tell her? I understand that your mum doesn’t want to know but at some point in time, it will come out. If you do it without telling her you are going to be trying so hard to hide it and before you know it, it’s going to be summer and you’re going to really struggle to hide it. My best advice for you would be to tell her. It is your body and she did say that you’re 18 and it’s your choice. It is best to be honest because if she sees it at the wrong time it might cause conflict, whereas if you tell her now then you will have all the time before your tattoo appointment to explain why you want it and that you’ve designed it yourself so it’s important to you. If you really believe that you won’t have any regrets then you wouldn’t be worried about telling your mother because you would be confident enough to explain the benefits it gives you. 5

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STREET STYLE

Isaac Shelton

Design: Jade Meredith-Sullivan

Boiler Suit – Dickies A one-piece item of clothing is a must for both male and female. Whether it’s a dungaree or a boiler suit, a one-piece is easy to wear and a way to look good with not much effort. High street stores sell variations, however they can be pricey. Equally second hand shops have a wide variety but it can be hard to find a suitable size, especially if you’re short. Try going to a site such as Dickies where you can purchase original boiler suits (which are made for workmen). A little tailoring such as a roll up is needed for a hassle-free look! Shoes-Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Classic A high top Converse complements most outfits, whether it’s a skinny jean or a wide leg trouser. Cheaper Converse can be found if you pick a more unusual colour as they are often on the brand’s sale page. 8

Hoodie – Worldnet As well as providing warmth and comfort, a hoodie or jumper is easy to wear. An oversized hoodie can be worn on its own for the spring and instead of a coat on those cooler summer evenings. Trousers – Dickies It can be risky wearing a different colour trouser such as brown, but experimenting with unusual colours can lead to interesting outfits. A wider trouser is a key component to achieving the skate look, and second hand trousers of the like can be found easily in charity and second hand shops. Shoes – Nike Air Force 1 A gum sole shoe provides elevation to footwear that most people don’t bother with. The trainers work particularly well when wearing bright colours as they tone down the rest of the outfit. Nike Air Force can be picked up for around £50. It can be hard to find cheap shoes, but it’s worth spending a bit more as they will last longer.

Trousers – Warehouse Top – Burshka Wide-leg trousers are a great go-to for anyone with height, as they accentuate your legs and are also figure enhancing. They pair well with a simple block-coloured top and can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. Shoes – Converse All Star Low Top The white trainer says 2019 and is a firm favourite for most people as it complements almost all outfits. A simple trainer helps with dressing down a look. A low-cut Converse is a guaranteed way to look stylish and can be picked up for a variety of prices, secondhand or new.

“dress well for less Making 90s relevant”

T-Shirt – Dickies Graphic tees are a clothing item most people have in their wardrobe. They’ve had a huge resurgence in the past few years, whether it be promoting bands or brands. A logo or picture often means you can keep the rest of the outfit simple, therefore keeping the overall cost down. Trousers – Topman A smart or suit trouser elevates any look for a man. Pairing them with a t-shirt or jumper keeps the feel casual but gives a slightly more grown-up edge than jeans. The high street is your friend when looking for these kind of trousers. The sale racks are brimming with suit trousers. You can pick up a decent pair for around £10/15. Shoes – Converse One Stars Yet again another outfit which is completed with a pair of Converse, this time the classic One Stars. These are a fun alternative to your regular Converse which most people are familiar with. A new pair costs around £65, however they are a good investment as they will become a staple of your wardrobe! 9

THE UNSUSTAINABLE TRUTH ABOUT

Fas

Jade Meredith-Sullivan Design: Jade Meredith-Sullivan

The fashion industry is huge, it is everywhere and we may not even realise. The fashion world is something to be celebrated. It makes us who we are as individuals as it allows us to be fun and creative. However, it is also one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest polluters, second to the oil industry.

e have seen a rise in the use of the phrase â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fast fashionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a term used to describe the high rate of clothing collections being sold cheaper and faster when a new trend comes around. The problem is, not enough people know about the issue, which is almost as dangerous as the act itself. Spreading awareness is crucial not only for the future of fashion but for our planet. In the last year, nearly 13 million tons of textiles were either burnt or discarded in landfill. This is because people just do not keep clothes as long as they used to. We all want to keep on top of current trends and so have unintentionally contributed to the climate footprint. As a trend comes

and goes, the demand for materials is high. Cotton is one of the most common clothing materials and requires enormous levels of water to grow, almost 3K litres of water is needed to make a single t-shirt!

cotton killed the aral sea

Consequently, Aral Sea, which was the fourth largest lake in the world, has been dried up significantly due to cotton farming. Polyester is the most popular synthetic material and is made from nonrenewable resources like oil. When this is washed it sheds microfibers which add to the increasing amount of plastic in our oceans. A less common clothing material is viscose which we have been led to

ast FASHION

believe is better for the environment yet this is not the case. Even though viscose is plant-based, the production is leading to deforestation, affecting the habitats of endangered animals.

buy into sustainability

Tag ’19 spoke to two second-hand clothing fans. Isaac Shelton, 17, wears hand-medown fashions that are back on trend, “I wear stuff that other people don’t wear, so you’re never going to be dressed the same as someone else”. Student Peter Maiden, 18, travels to Brighton for the vintage trends because “You can buy stuff that’s 15% of full price. Retro stuff in new condition is not in the shops. It lasts longer

as it’s better quality.” A simple way for you to help is to buy less often and better brands or materials. If it breaks, mend it. Also try to recycle by giving your unwanted clothes to charity shops. Across Brighton, there are many second-hand stores with great stock such as Wolf & Gypsy, To Be Worn Again, and Dirty Harry. There are also lots of reliable charity shops like Oxfam and the British Heart Foundation. With the increase of vintage shopping, your once beloved clothes will find a new home in no time, putting the planet’s resources under less pressure.

“even though viscose is plant based the production is leading to deforestation”

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talk about sex! Honest advice about contraception, pregnancy, STIs and pleasure.

The Family Planning Association is a registered charity, number 250187, 12 and a limited liability company registered in England, number 887632.

@sxwise

sexwise.fpa.org.uk

Thinking about losing it?

Design: Peter Maiden, Jayden Fuller

Nervous for your first time?

Faye Cole

Losing your virginity can be an awkward yet exciting experience and whatever the circumstances that come your way, making sure you are safe and ready is important. s our generation develops further, our bodies grow (in various places) and our minds explore opinions about losing your virginity. No one has the exact same mind set as another individual on this matter as you have to think maturely of when it would happen, where, what, who with, how and if you can get your hands on protection. Not ready? No worries! 2/3 students actually don’t lose it till they’re over 18, so why rush? Enjoy your teen years, living and having fun! Ready? No worries! As long as the act is consensual from both parties and you acknowledge and will face up to the risks if you are not careful, then what’s the harm? Tag ’19 has been speaking to some teens about their experiences, Thomas Grey, a 16-year-old sexually active male, says that his first time was “awkward, rushed and funny.” No one wants to be stuck in this situation where you don’t know the person well, or enough about the act in order for it to be as enjoyable as possible. In fact, many teenagers rush into the act of losing their virginity as they want to fit in, or get it over and done with. Looking back, is this really how you want to remember your first time? Sophie Anne, a 16-year-old virgin, responded that she imagines her first time will be “awkward.” In previous studies, there is evidence that over 70%

of males and females would describe their first time as “awkward” so when you do lose it, do not feel insecure if it was. In the end, a little embarrassment won’t kill you. When having sexual intercourse for the first couple of times, you may want to experiment with being a bit rebellious. But there’s a huge difference between experiencing new things and being unsafe. Imagine having to tell your parents that you got, or got someone, pregnant at your age… or having to explain to every person that you ‘pulled’ that you have a disease now. Doesn’t sound sexy or fun, does it? Some teens are stuck in the mind-set that having sex is a life-changing experience that makes you the coolest kid at school, which may lead to them lying about their experiences. In order for them to gain what they believe to be a reputation for maturity, they trick peers into believing that they have lost their virginity when in fact, they haven’t. Realistically, there are tons of ways to gain a respected status, and giving false information about sexual experiences is not one of them. Not having lost your virginity isn’t a bad thing! If you want to wait for something real, even if that means waiting until marriage, that’s completely normal! Knowing yourself and loving your body is vital before taking this step into your adult life. Your body, your choice.

Here are some tips to make your first time not necessarily perfect but enjoyable.

Practise using a condom

Remember that lesson where you had to watch your teacher put a condom on a courgette and then practice it in pairs? In the bedroom with a sexual partner in the heat of the moment, it’s going to be a completely different experience. Make time to practice together and pack spares in case it goes wrong.

Didn’t orgasm? Don’t worry! The majority of women do not orgasm every time they have sexual intercourse. It’s important not to fake it as this may affect the ability to communicate your “needs” in the future.

Lubrication = pain free

Your first time may be a little uncomfortable. This could be because of the dryness of your partner or yourself! Allow lubrication to be your friend to make your experiences as comfortable and enjoyable as possible!

No foreplay? No pressure

The more aroused one can get, the better the sex is likely to feel. This includes activities such as: oral sex or even kissing! “Whatever floats your boat!”

Don’t imagine it to be like porn

Having your expectations unrealistically high from pornographic films will shock you once you have had sex for the first time. The scenarios are unrealistic and aren’t likely to happen in real life. Don’t be misled if it doesn’t work out how you have seen it online. 13

Sex and sensibility Isaac Shelton Design: Jayden Fuller

exting has become a huge part of life for many UK teenagers, with thousands of us admitting we’ve sent nude pictures and videos, with real numbers expected to be far greater. For under 18s, sending, receiving and distributing intimate pictures is a criminal offence. The NSPCC define sexting as “when someone shares sexual, naked or seminaked images or videos of themselves or others, or sends sexually explicit messages.” It can also be called “trading nudes, pic for pic”.

What the law says

The law currently classifies sending intimate pictures under 18 as illegal, even though the current age of consent for sexual activity is only 16. The main reason for the age limit is that often nude photographs end up in the public domain for anyone to view, therefore classing as pornography where the age limit is set at 18. “The legal age for sex is 16 so surely it should be the same for sexting and pictures because I’d say sex is more of a responsibility, more of a worry, than sexting.” These are the words of a 17-yearold Eastbourne male student, when asked about his views on the current law.

Sexting was the most viewed topic on the ChildLine website two years ago, while at the same time, police revealed that they registered 17 sexting offences a day including children as young as 12.

However, his female counterpart disagreed and supported the age limit. “It’s child pornography so I have no issue with it being illegal!” The NSPCC showed Tag ‘19 official figures, which showed that ChildLine held counselling sessions with 1,834 girls who were concerned about explicit images that they had taken. This is in comparison to only 557 boys. While this is an issue that all under 18s should be concerned about; there is a clear gender imbalance. By sending these images, you place the trust in somebody that they will keep the image for themselves. Although, this is not always the case and often these images are shared between friends or even end up on so called ‘bait accounts’, where intimate pictures are uploaded to Instagram accounts without the consent of the person in the picture. Many teens argue that despite the law, if two consenting people agree to send pictures to each other, what’s the harm? There is a serious point to consider. Many of legal age may not be ready to partake in sexual activity, they may have a curiosity in exploring their sexuality. To a certain degree, sexting takes away the mystery and possible anxieties. It allows the person to explore their bodies, and even promote body confidence, eliminating the element of shame that is inked into people’s mind regarding sex. “You get body confidence from it, because people say you look good. It boosts your confidence. It boosts your self-image, how you feel about yourself” a teen told us. However, the NSPCC say that the online factor reduces people’s inhibitions, which means that they may later regret their actions.

R’s experience

We spoke to a girl who we shall refer to as R [not her real initial ] who was exploited when she sent pictures to a guy from an Eastbourne school: Tag ’19: Have you ever had any negative experiences [regarding sexting] at school? R: Yes. Quite a few actually. Tag ’19: Could you explain to me what happened please? R: Yes, I was in year 10 and I had a huge crush on this guy called S [not his real initial]. I was way too chicken to let him 14

know so I just sort of watched him play football, laugh round with his mates at lunch, study etc. I had no idea what his second name was and I couldn’t find him anywhere on social media. I was in class one day and we had a new seating plan. The teacher had placed me and him together. This was the day I finally built up the courage to say more than three words to him, and we ended the lesson by exchanging numbers. I was ecstatic! I got home and rushed to my room and immediately starting texting him and he asked me if I wanted to talk dirty. I thought it was really fun, I was having so much fun that I sent him pictures. Bad pictures of my whole body. I got into school the next day, really happy, and had everyone laughing at me. Two pervs said I had ‘banging tits’, I was humiliated. I confronted Sam and he just laughed and said, “You never send nudes on imessage, it’s your fault”. I also had countless names thrown at me like slut, whore etc.

Skewed perception

The underlying issue is that many of us would admit to having poor sex and relationships education at school, and so we’re turning to the internet to learn about these. This can often give a skewed perception of what relationships and sex are really like, and can also cause issues in further relationships. Sending indecent images may also have a negative effect on your future, whether it be physiological or simply your pictures end up online. The law clearly states that if you’re under 18, it is illegal to do so. The law is surely there for a reason?

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised or have concerns regarding sexting to do with yourself or others please visit: www.childline.org You can also get help here if an indecent image of you is posted online.

Male Mental

Health Peter Maiden Design: Jade Meredith-Sullivan

Everyone has a mental health. Not everyone has a good one.

veryone has a mental health. Whether yours is in a good state at the moment or not is another thing all together. Mental illnesses do not discriminate, no matter what colour, gender, age or race you are. Mental health organisations like The Samaritans encourage talking about your mental health to confront the issues you may be going through. One group are particularly bad at this though. This group is men.

Encouraging men to seek help

A publication from the Men’s Health Forum shows that “Just over three out of four suicides are by men and suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 35”.They also report that “Men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women. Only 36% of referrals to IAPT (Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies) are men.”

It’s very possible that you may know a young man who is undergoing some form of mental health issue. They can display behaviours such as isolating themselves, not coming into college, friends finding it hard to reach them, the can try and hide their behaviour by being defensive, aggressive or argumentative. If you know someone who is in this position, you could encourage them to talk about it, as this is the first step in finding ways to cope. Mental health has affected many notable figures and they are now coming out about their experiences. David Walliams, 47, author and judge on the ITV talent show Britain’s Got Talent, revealed he has bipolar disorder and that he escaped his condition by listening to Rowan Atkinson and practising comedy. He explained that he didn’t “think he was diagnosed or anything” and was “unhappy a lot of the time”. Professional

boxer, Tyson Fury, 30, battled depression during his career. He said mental health “has got to be the biggest battle I’ve ever fought with, more than any opponent”. Fury also said his comeback was a metaphor for picking yourself back up, saying that he “come back from the blink of no return to get back to the top… that’s gotta be a statement for mental health itself”. Stephen

Fry, 61, comedian, actor and president of the charity, MIND, also fights with cyclothymia, a disorder he explored in his 2006 documentary, ‘The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive’ he has this advice to share, “If you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just is, like the weather.”

If your mental health is currently in a bad shape do not hesitate to talk to someone or to contact: The Samaritans on 116 123 and @samaritans MIND on 0300 123 3393 and @MindCharity You will not embarrass yourself If someone’s life is in danger CALL 999

ONLINE SENSATION

DODIE

Jade Meredith-Sullivan

Design: Jade Meredith-Sullivan

odie Clark is a familiar face to her 1.8 million YouTube subscribers. The musician and content creator has amassed over 260 million YouTube views where she posts original songs and frank conversations about mental health. The 24-year-old started her channel doddleoddle in 2011 and eight years later in January, released her third EP, Human, which reached number five in the UK album charts. dodie spoke EXCLUSIVELY to Tag’19 about her EP, life on YouTube and the importance of mental health awareness.

What are the themes and inspirations behind your new EP Human? I wish I could say something less obvious but – I have a lot of feelings that I don’t know what to do with and songs naturally come out of that. This EP was just a collection of some of those from over the years – but I do think there seems to be a running theme of shame and love; and the title Human (from one of the songs) just fit so nicely. What has been your favourite moment when touring? So many – but In Dublin I read a review of one of my shows and spent the whole day questioning what I was doing. It really shook me – but on tour you have to put your feelings aside and pump yourself up to go onstage. So naturally I was faced with my wonderful, kind audience, the room was full of love and I just burst into tears and told the room why I was sad. I then played “6/10” which is a song about not feeling good enough and we all sang and cried together. It was just the best way to process something painful and end it with feeling powerful and ready again. For us at Tag ‘19 ‘When’ is such a powerful song and also ‘Monster’ (plus the visuals to go along with it), which is taken from your new EP is simply incredible. What is your most meaningful lyric or song to you? Funnily enough, I think “it’ll be over, and I’ll still be asking when” is one that stays with me. It’s not the nicest feeling but I like taking huge scary feelings and putting them in songs so I feel like I have some sort of power over them. Over your career – on Youtube and in music – your style has changed. Do you think this is a natural part of growing as an artist? I don’t really know yet. I think my style has naturally developed but I also think there

are other factors, like producing with someone else, or feeling pressure to write a more upbeat song for tour, or radio, etc. This issue of Tag is focusing on mental health, do you think its important that artists, such as yourself speak out mental health more often? Obviously visibility is a great thing, as is the connection you have with your audience and they have with each other after speaking out about something like mental health – but I definitely think artists should only speak out if they’re ready to. There is no obligation to share anything. Talking about it is terrifying and can be damaging, ironically, to someone who might be unstable and easy to shake. What advice would you give give to a young person suffering with mental health? Write letters to yourself of kindness – when there are positive things that you truly believe in the moment – WRITE IT DOWN so you can prove to yourself that there is good to live for. What would you suggest for a young creator to get their work out there? Join in on projects! Cover other people’s songs! Make your own projects! Start now! What can we look out for this summer and autumn of 2019? Any plans for 2020 yet? I have absolutely no idea. I keep getting asked this question in interviews and honestly the answer keeps changing lol. All I know is more music. Eventually.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like taking huge scary feelings and putting them in songs so I feel like I have some sort of power over them...â&#x20AC;?

chuffmedia

June/July

030 300 39699

www.escg.ac.uk

2019

RISE ABOVE

“It answers the questions young people may be too scared to ask”

Review

Lauren Cracknell

Design: Jayden Fuller like you are receiving advice off someone you know and trust. It reassures people who may not have the reassurance in their day to day life. The website also includes an interactive section where you can play through different scenarios or test your mind. The interactive games include games where you can work through sticky real life situations and find out whether things about puberty you have heard are myths or facts. So this website really does cater for everyone, whether you prefer something more interactive or reading articles there is something for you to receive the advice you may need. Tag ‘19 asked some students what they also thought of Rise Above. One we asked says that this website is very well made and the colours of the webpage really attract our age group and young teenagers. He said the articles that are on the webpage are really interesting and he feels that they are very related towards him and his age group. Another says the website is very vibrant and it attracts him

ixie Lott talks about first time sex and Marcus Butler talks about bullying, these are among the celebrities contributing to the Rise Above website. This is where you will find comforting and reassuring advice for our generation. Rise Above includes useful inspiring stories from exam stress, body confidence, mental health, friendships and love life. It answers the questions our age group may be too scared to ask, or don’t have anyone to ask. This helps their readers with knowing what to expect and perhaps helping them with who they can turn to if they feel like they don’t have anyone. It encourages people to start talking confidently about the things that matter to them. The website is full of recognisable YouTube, TV and music celebrities who are talking about topics such as sex, relationships, bullying etc. and how they cope with them and get through it. This gives the website a very comforting vibe like a big brother or sister. It almost feels

to want to read and click on certain parts as it pops out to him. One of the younger students we asked says the website has very good coverage on all important topics for young people. He says it is a website that he definitely feels like he could’ve used going through difficult or confusing times. Another student says overall the website is very useful for teenagers who need the reassurance and confidence with all things related to change, love, body image, friendships, puberty etc. She highly recommends you check it out.

For information and INSPIRATION visit: RISEABOVE.ORG.UK Or on twitter: @We_Riseabove and on youtube: rise above

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EFFECTS OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

lcohol and drugs. Many of us do them in our teenage years because we’re curious, our friends are doing them or we’re having other problems. According to the charity Drinkaware, over 40% of 11–15 year-old pupils in England had drunk alcohol in 2016, and almost one-in-five 11–15 yearolds had tried smoking that year as reported by an SDD survey. We are all told that they are bad but to be honest, it’s not going to stop our inquisitiveness if we’re intrigued. However if you abuse smoking or drinking, it could be potentially dangerous. Here are some of the long term effects that excessive use of drugs and alcohol can cause.Firstly, it can affect the way you think. Your brain is the most complex organ in the body, so the use of drugs and alcohol can affect how the brain works For example, when you first use drugs your brain releases a chemical called dopamine, which makes you

Melissa Naish Design: Jake Baldwin

There are short term but also long term effects of drugs and alcohol

These are some of the long term side effects: • Damage to internal organs • Muscle and bone breakdown • Long term memory impairment • Lack of coordination skills feel delirious and want more of the drug. As you start taking the substance, the more your mind will get used to the extra chemicals, and you eventually may not be able to function normally without those extra chemicals in your blood. If you drive and use drugs or alcohol, you are increasing the risk of being involved in a car accident. Plus, the number of deaths caused by drugs and alcohol has gone up resulting in 5.2 million accidental injuries and 1.8 million deaths each year. Tag ’19 spoke to some Eastbourne students about their experiences of being too drunk. One 18 year old told us, “When

I was 17 I fell into an open fire at a house party and burned my arm. I’d been drinking everything – vodka, whiskey, beer.” A 17-year-old girl who blacked out last year revealed, “I got drunk and fell down some stairs. I was at a music concert at the Bandstand. I’d taken bottles of vodka and Coke with me and mis-measured the amounts.” Another 17-year-old explained, “My friend got alcohol poisoning at a party. We had to put him in the recovery position and call 111 and the medics had to talk us through what to do with him.”

• Problems coping on the job or in school • Poor nutrition • Nasal perforation (cocaine abuse)

These are some of the short term side effects: • increased or decreased heart rate • Muscle control difficulties • Lowering inhibitions • Short term memory loss • Heightened emotions like sadness, anxiety and fear • Lack of concentration • Respiratory problems

AddIction Helpline:

COUNTY LINES

hildren as young as 12 are being recruited to sell class A drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin. People with ill mental health and drug addictions are also among those exploited as they are vulnerable. Often children who aren’t expected to be involved are recruited, such as those of middle-class families. To find out more about the problem, Tag ’19 spoke to our local Prevention Intelligence Officer, Dan Cloake: Tag ’19: How large a problem is county lining in our area? Dan: We currently have about 50-60 county lines running from London at any one time. Tag ’19: We know that drug dealers and their associates are using social media to recruit people and are also meeting them in person but how does this actually work? Dan: There are two types of what we call child criminal exploitation. They will recruit someone who lives locally to them, a young boy or girl in their area, and will bring them down to the town in which they are dealing.

Luke Harmer

0203 553 0324

Design: Jake Baldwin These children are often reported missing by their parents, and will have ended up in random towns across the UK. Or, they will recruit in the town in which they want to deal. What’s become more common recently is that they will actively hang around schools, skateparks and anywhere where teenagers will hang out. They will then offer them free cannabis or alcohol, to win over their trust, and the next thing the kids know is they’re being asked to go to London to transport drugs down to the south coast, or to sell them to drug users on the streets. Tag ’19: What would you say to people who don’t have the courage to speak up about suspicious activity in their local area? Dan: It is really important that the message goes out to anyone that believes that they have information about drug dealing. It’s not just if you see drug dealing, it’s if you’ve got friends in your peer group who suddenly have a lot of money, or are talking about selling cannabis for people. We also treat victims as victims and offenders

as offenders, and no one who is being exploited will be treated as an offender. Tag ’19: So does that mean that there aren’t any repercussions for the victims? Dan: A couple of years ago, we would have seen anyone involved in the drug supply, whether they were right at the bottom selling cannabis on behalf of the county lines, or further up, we would see anyone complicit in the illicit activity. So they were all to be blamed and we would have seen them all as suspects. But we deal with things differently now in the police service. We understand that people in the chain are victims of circumstance. We will not look to prosecute those that we think are victims, those that are being recruited by the county lines and that have got themselves in a sticky situation. We will do everything in our power, and we have done very successfully, to not criminalise those people. We treat them as victims and it’s really important to get that message across.

NICOTINE ADDICTION

Jake Baldwin Design: Jake Baldwin

The Habit that’s hard to break

icotine. A legal drug but with an extremely high addiction rate. Many teenagers like smoking despite knowing it could kill us or make us have amputations or cancers if we don’t stop. Why do we smoke? It’s a bit naughty/ edgy, can make you feel like an adult, looks cool in old photos and we see famous people doing it all the time. Nicotine is a stimulant found in tobacco and is the addictive substance that makes you want to puff an extra cigarette. However, nicotine is not just in cigarettes, it is in a variety of different products such as pesticides, cigars, e-cigs and even tomatoes! Imagine getting addicted to a household vegetable! As addictive as nicotine is, it is not harmful on its own but when it is paired with chemicals in smoking products it can make a deadly concoction, resulting in the development of cancer and other fatal diseases. Did you know that cigarettes contain rat poison (arsenic), toilet cleaner

Student 1 2–8 cigarettes per day for three years, spends £20 per month: Why did you start smoking? A difficult life experience and stress. How long have you gone without smoking? A month, I wanted to smoke because of the withdrawal symptoms. Do you like smoking? Yes, its calming, helps with stress and regularises my breathing in a panic. Do you still see yourself smoking in a year’s time? Maybe but I hope not.

(ammonia) and nail varnish remover (acetone)? Even though nicotine is legal, as it is sold in tobacco products, it is as addictive as heroin, according to ASH. The most concerning subject of smoking is how it doesn’t discriminate; anyone who smokes is at risk of the addiction of nicotine and all the fatal effects added on, no matter your age or health. The good news for addicts is that your body starts to detoxify these nasty chemicals within just eight hours of giving up. Tag ‘19 spoke to a few students who smoke about their experiences and whether they feel they’re addicted to nicotine:

“it’s very hard to want to stop when it’s a big part of my social life”

Harmful Chemicals found in Tobacco Products: Ammonia Arsenic Benzene Nicotine Formaldehyde Hydrogen Cyanide Lead Radioactive Uranium

student 3 7–20 cigarettes per day for four years, spends £150 per month:

student 2 4–5 cigarettes per day for five years, spends nothing (social smoker): Why did you start smoking? Stress reliever. Why haven’t you stopped? Because it’s a way of socialising. How long have you gone without smoking? Two months, never got any withdrawals. Do you like smoking? Yes, because I think that it helps with stress. Do you still see yourself smoking in a year’s time? No.

Why did you start smoking? My friends smoked so I started. Why haven’t you stopped? It’s an addiction and it’s very hard to want to stop when it’s a big part in my social life. How long have you gone without smoking? I haven’t not smoked in about two years. Do you like smoking? Yeah I enjoy smoking because it helps me with stress and allows me to have a good time. Do you still see yourself smoking in a year’s time? Yes.

If you need help to stop smoking, visit the NHS online, or speak to your GP. You might find it easier to give up with medical support and access to nicotinereplacement products. 23

Healthy

lifestyle support for young people aged 11-to-18. fully a h t ns wi onal. o i s s e and es fessi e n o v o r e i p o . h t h to ac lifestyle One- ed healt s c i p fi nd f to lans. a o p t quali l e h a g i a ran lthy weig dent fi g n n i o r Cove ain a hea and c d e s t i l main sona r e p hool. p c o s l e n i v De you o t e al b Avail : ealth

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SOMEONE YOU LOVED TEENS DEALING WITH GRIEF Unfortunately, there is no such thing as “getting over” a death. If you’ve lost someone close to you, you will hurt, do not feel as though you are strange because you are still down. Just look for ways to get back up.

eventy per cent of Eastbourne students aged 17–19 surveyed by Tag ’19 have experienced bereavement. Loss effects everybody throughout their lives at some point and the impact of losing someone close to you is devastating. Death is inevitable, however in a lot of instances it can come as a shock. The question is: how do we cope when it happens to the people we love the most? Losing someone close to you is hard, and dealing with grief is difficult but when it happens to you as a young person the feeling is very raw. Many teenagers will never have experienced anything as monumental up to this point in their life. It can be hard navigating how to process and deal with the feelings that present themselves.

Speaking to an individual

Tag ’19 spoke to 22-year-old James from London, about how he felt when he lost his dad. When James started college, the time he spent with his dad started decreasing. The amount of college work piled on top of him and time spent with his family got less and less. Whilst James was studying for his A-Levels, his dad fell ill. When his father died, he was in the middle of his A-Levels. After the death of his father, his mother emigrated to America, leaving James alone and in shock. However, he was still studying for his A-Levels which meant James didn’t give sufficient time to grieve the loss of his father. “If ever you lose someone, the most important thing you need to do are speak to someone and have time off to mourn. I didn’t speak to anyone and it felt like I was all alone in the world.” Reaching out to teachers to share the weight of your loss is never a bad idea

Tia Shelley Design: Jake Baldwin, Peter Maiden, Jayden Fuller

“I didn’t speak to anyone and it felt like I was all alone in the world.”

and if possible, take some time away from work. In a survey conducted by Tag ’19 over half of the students believed that they would feel like a burden for seeking help and telling someone about their situation. It’s important to remember that people care about you and your welfare so never feel ashamed of asking for help.

GIVE YOURSELF TIME

Unfortunately, there is no cure for grief, although time helps. If you’ve experienced the loss of someone close to you, it will be painful and there is no correct amount of time that you need to grieve for. The process is an individual experience. NHS bereavement councilor, Sarah Smith, says, “You might feel a lot of emotions at once, or feel you’re having a good day, then you wake up and feel worse again.” She continues, “It’s like waves on a beach. You can be standing in water up to your knees and feel you can cope, then suddenly a big wave comes and knocks you off your feet.”

If you need help, don’t be afraid to seek counselling and if you need to go out and have some fun, that’s okay too. Don’t feel ashamed about your actions. Looking after your mental health is a priority! We will all experience grief in our life, and the important thing is remembering the ones we love.

Get in touch

0800 435 455 www.bereavement-trust.org.uk info@bereavement-trust.org.uk

Cosmetic

Cruelty

The secrets in your make-up bag Lauren Cracknell

Design: Jade Meredith-Sullivan

Cosmetic testing on animals is one of the most controversial areas of animal testing

you search “cosmetics tested on animals in 2019” you will sadly get a whole range of results. Traditionally rabbits, monkeys, guinea pigs, rats and many more have been used in horribly painful tests to experiment different cosmetics for research. These products are tested on animals to see how effective the cosmetic product is and whether they will be safe to sell to humans. Over the years, animal cosmetic testing has been proven to be way more problematic than helpful. It has been shown to be unstable and unreliable as a human is arguably going to react to products very differently to a hamster. There has been a major increase in countries that have banned animal testing, our country included. In March 2013, a European law was fully implemented that made it illegal to sell animal tested cosmetic products across the whole of Europe. This was a major turning point. However there are sadly still countless countries and animals that are still subjected to cruel tests. But changing this reality isn’t as straight forward as we would like. Luke Blackburn, 17, studying Hair & Beauty at East Sussex College, told us: 26

What do you think about cosmetics still being tested on animals around the world? Luke: It is really simple for me. We should not have ever been testing and torturing animals and still shouldn’t be, or any other living being for the sake of a mascara or an eyeshadow. When you really think about it, it just seems so odd that cosmetic products for humans were ever being tested on animals. It just doesn’t make any sense. “We urgently need a worldwide

ban on this cruel and unnecessary suffering.” Ricky Gervais

What more do you think should be done? Luke: I think more awareness is key about the issue. Technology and science has evolved massively and is still evolving. But I think we have the facilities, technology, science and knowledge now to be able to test cosmetic products without harming any animals. So long as companies and countries around the whole can be bothered to make the change then we won’t have a problem. I also think more awareness should be raised on which brands are cruelty free and which aren’t to stop these brands.

It is very easy to feel helpless in big issues like this but there are is things YOU can do. The best way to stop these companies from selling animal tested products is to simply refuse to buy them. Perhaps message the companies as to why you won’t be using their products again? P!nk, Natalie Portman, Russell Brand and Ryan Gosling are among the high-profile celebrities standing up for animal rights via the PETA organisation. There are small steps we can all take to eventually make cosmetic testing banned globally. With everyone on the same page it can be done sooner. For more information visit PETA’s global cruelty-free shopping guide on their website or follow them on Twitter and Instagram @peta.

THESE BRANDS Do NOT TEST ON ANIMALS:

Hourglass BAre Minerals Burt’s Bees Soap and Glory Lush The Body Shop

FASHION MADE ME SICK

Carmela Hughes

Design: Jade Meredith-Sullivan

t’s a scary reality that a significant number of models working in the fashion industry suffer from anorexia. This issue is deep rooted in the creative community with many models publicly saying managers and designers have told them to lose weight in order to continue working. The disease often starts out with harsh dieting, intense exercise, and/or the use of laxatives. More often than not, the person’s self-image gets distorted and they start to view themselves as too fat for success. Anorexic models are common on catwalks where there is a lot of pressure to fit into size zero outfits. An anorexic model may become very weak, show signs of depression and develop serious health problems such as nerve damage, calcium deficiency, kidney stones, and heart failure. Over time, anorexia nervosa can even lead to death. Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and other related eating disorders are serious mental illnesses. Anorexia has the highest rate of any psychiatric illness. Eating disorders affect the physical, psychological, and social well-being of millions of people of all ages and genders. The Academy for Eating Disorders calls upon the fashion and beauty industries to protect the health and well-being of young workers. The added danger is that the audience who view the models in the media, especially but not exclusively young females, then feel the pressure to be just like the models they look up to. Media images can be another trigger point for those predisposed to an eating disorder.

Communications regulator Ofcom say UK adults spend an average of 8hrs 41 minutes a day on media devices. In that time we see hundreds of images of people, many of whom are professional models or actors who have a low BMI. A massive amount of images in the media and on apps such as Instagram are airbrushed and edited, which gives viewers false expectations of themselves. Half of children aged 11–12 have a social media profile, despite most platforms’ minimum age being 13 so Ofcom says, therefore young people can be exposed to all sorts of unattainable flawless bodies online. Sophie Henderson (not her real name) has suffered from anorexia since the age of 12. She told Tag ’19 she started dieting as a result of being bullied in school and online. Sophie said that scrolling through Instagram and seeing what were perceived as perfect lives and Instagram models affected her eating disorder hugely and she found herself comparing her life to others constantly. She is now 18 and in recovery and in a much happier place and no longer scrolls through social media for hours at a time. Popular brands in the UK such as Dove and ASOS are encouraging body positivity. ASOS, a very popular online fashion store, have un-Photoshopped models on their website. They have women of all different sizes with their scars and stretch marks not airbrushed. Dove, is a very popular skin care brand and they celebrated beauty diversity by making different shaped body washes which replicated seven different body types, making the important point that every body shape is beautiful and women should not put themselves under so much pressure and even make themselves ill by trying to be what is perceived as ‘perfect’.

“scrolling through Instagram and seeing what were perceived as perfect lives and Instagram models affected her eating disorder hugely”

If you think you or someone you know has an eating disorder, the Beat charity has a YouTube channel, a Twitter account @beatED and a Facebook page where you can leave a message.

THE COMEBACK OF INDEPENDENt CINEMA

Erin Bacon

Design: Jayden Fuller, Peter Maiden

Many movie buffs are looking forward to X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Star Wars: Episode IX. But while the multiplexes are packing them in, independent films are still building audiences in search of choice and diversity. Meanwhile local independent screens have never been busier. Indie cinema is alive and kicking.

hen many movie fans think of going to the cinema, they imagine sitting down with a gigantic bag of popcorn and a litre of fizzy drink to catch the newest superhero blockbuster. What others realise, though, is how the UK’s independent cinema industry has been quietly expanding.

Thought of as a dying form, due to the rise of cinema ticket prices and streaming sites (looking at you, Netflix!) in recent years, independent films are slowly but surely squeezing their way back into cinema screens up and down the country.

Audience demand

This could largely be thanks to demand from audiences wanting to see the new awards season releases, which can be

“When customers come to us, they’re converted – they don’t go back to the big corporate multiplexes”

of a lower budget as opposed to the big action franchises. Or this could be due to a desire to watch less commercial, more artistic content. Because of the demand we have seen ascribed to this comeback, there are now many new up and coming Indie film directors. The likes of Dee Rees (Mudbound, Pariah), Julia Ducournau (Raw, The Wakhan Front), and Matt Spicer (Ingrid Goes West, Flower) have been causing a lot of discussion in the film industry, with critics pegging them as potentially the new faces of the indie film genre.

Audiences are increasingly turning to multi-screen alternatives. More and more independent cinemas are opening. The Curzon already has 22 cinemas open, with one in Eastbourne and 14 on the way nationally, while Picturehouse have five brand new cinemas on the go. Paul Nunney runs the Hailsham Pavilion, a charity that screens both mainstream and independent movies in vintage surroundings. He told Tag ’19, “When customers come to us, they’re converted – they don’t go back to the big corporate multiplexes. They like the friendliness of our volunteer staff and the pocket-money priced kiosk.” The Depot in Lewes is a modern independent cinema experience with a cafébar. The not-for-profit Seaford Community Cinema features current and foreign films and has open air screenings in the summer. The Electric Palace in Hastings shows independent and classic movies. Finally, the Towner in Eastbourne shows a range of current and archive independent films.

Fight The Power Josh Green Design: Jayden Fuller, Peter Maiden

ap began in the mid1970s in the Bronx, New York, as form of selfexpression in response to the oppression felt upon the black community. Rappers called out many issues such as racism from the government and police, and social injustice, and the systems that were put in place to overpower them. The living conditions of black people were known as the ghetto or the hood, and

“They ... rapped about beating up and hating police because they felt they’d treated black people so unfairly” these were talked about in many songs. Being poor, low in resources and gang ridden were the main reasons that inspired rap musicians because, for the most part, this was a way out from all the chaos. Perhaps the most notable of these rappers speaking out about oppression is Public Enemy, a group who wrote the songs ‘Fight The Power’ and ‘Don’t Believe The Hype’. ‘Fight The Power’ talks about how the powers-that-be keep you under a cloud, and that society must fight back against them and their oppression. ‘Don’t Believe The Hype’ talks about not believing everything that the government tells you.

Salt-N-Pepa; David Burke

Rap music is perceived to be one of the most controversial genres of modern music

Rap is controversial because of the language used. Rappers talk about gun violence, killings and drugs. More importantly, derogatory terms are used in rap more than any musical genre. Male rappers can describe women as being ‘b****es’, ‘h*s’ and they use homophobic language such as ‘f*****s’. The lyrics are harsh and raw, and are used to get a message across in a straightforward way. Rappers don’t give you a sugar-coated message when it comes to singing about oppression, the ghetto, gangs, drugs and various of other subjects that rap was built on. For example, NWA came around in the mid-1980s creating some of the most controversial songs in the rap industry at the time, like ‘F*** Tha Police’ and ‘Straight Outta’ Compton’. They used a lot of profanity and rapped about beating up and hating police because they felt they’d treated black people so unfairly. One of their biggest moments was when they performed live and were told they were not allowed to perform certain songs. They disobeyed the authorities and performed songs they weren’t supposed to, they fought back the power and people started to see them as a powerful group that wanted to change the way people were being treated. NWA played a large part in black people becoming

more equal in today’s world. Female artists have also been at the height of controversy in rap by touching on many issues such as domestic violence, street harassment and sexism. Female artists have rapped

with strong feminist lyrics in their songs. Notable among these rappers were Salt-NPepa (Left) who have been outspoken about their desires and sexuality, while at the same time demanding respect, preaching feminist values and speaking out against assault and discrimination. In the 21st century, rap is still seen as controversial because artists brag about their money and lifestyles. Music videos have become more controversial as some say that the women involved in them are being objectified. Compared to the days of racial oppression and social injustice, contemporary rappers don’t really have a cause. The core values of rap remain, and conversations about racial oppression and social injustice are ongoing. However, some critics would argue that rap has lost its voice and instead focuses on a superstar lifestyle.

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14 Gildredge Road, Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 4RL 01323 430304 sales@pebblerecords.co.uk pebblerecords.co.uk 29

K-POP – STILL CLEANCUT? Beth Griggs

Design: Liam Mustapha

-Pop is a popular genre of music that originates from South Korea. It can traced back to the 90s, however has been in the Korean culture since the 1940s. The first known K–Pop group were called Seo Taiji and Boys, and the oldest group is called Shinhwa which had been around for 20 years. There are roughly 150-200 K-Pop groups but with expectations being high, they usually don’t make it very far unless they truly have the potential to make money for entertainment companies. BTS are the most popular K-Pop group of recent times. The seven-member boy band are a massive hit across the globe, spreading joy through their lyrics and captivating dance moves that make you want to join in. They were formed under BigHit Entertainment and have over 11.3 million fans worldwide, 51+ music videos as well as 97 songs. In case you didn’t know, the name BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan, which means Bulletproof Boy Scouts in Korean; the

acronym also now stands for Beyond the Scene. The band have been through a lot since they first got together, good times and bad. They even considered breaking up, but as singer Jin said in an emotional speech at the Mnet Asian Awards, “I’m very grateful to our members who were able to unite their hearts and want to say thank you to ARMY [BTS fans] who always love us”. BTS made history as the first Korean band to present an award at the Grammys 2019. Their album Love Yourself: Tear was nominated for the best recording package. They did not win the award, but they are still proud they made an appearance.

Most of BTS’ songs have social messages behind them such as the song “Dope”. The message behind this is that some elders are keen to judge and won’t give the younger generation a chance to explore the real world freely. As the lyrics say, “The media and adults say we don’t have willpower condemning us like stocks/Why are they killing us before we can even try?” However, while we see these incredible, clean cut groups, scandals emerge through social media. Several K-Pop idols have been accused of sexual offences and one of them from a popular group, BIGBANG. Seungri, 29, announced his retirement in March 2019. Another star has also announced he is quitting showbiz, Jung Joon-young, 30, from the group Highlight. On stage, the popularity of K-Pop seems unending. Earlier this year, both BTS and their rivals BLACKPINK announced they were going on tour around the world at the same time. BLACKPINK’s concert is 22nd May 2019 in the SSE Arena, while BTS play 1st June 2019 at Wembley Stadium. The BTS show is sold out, proving that K-Pop’s star continues to rise.

Coming TO EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE Liam Mustapha

A magical event in which you can attend as your favourite superhero, comic character or just come to mingle with other goers!

Design: Liam Mustapha

ne of the South East’s largest comic conventions, Wyntercon, is returning to Eastbourne for its sixth year. Rebecca Conroy, Principal of East Sussex College Eastbourne and Andy Kybett, Wyntercon charity founder and organizer, Saturday 28 + Sunday 29 have joined forces and are working together September 2019 to bring the weekend of fun, creativity and Eastbourne Sports Park diversity to the college’s campus at Cross BN21 2UF Levels Way. The 2019 convention follows the success of last year’s event where we got the opportunity to see actors such as Harry Potter’s Death Eater, Jon Campling, and Neville Longbottom’s father, James Payton, who were available for photographs and autographs. Many more honourable guests are expected to arrive at this year’s Wyntercon at the college and will be announced as the event draws closer. “The Wyntercon’s mission is to South coast’s deliver practical workshops largest community, to people with disabilities, or from disadvantaged family-friendly, backgrounds. Rebecca fantasy and scifi Conroy told Tag ‘19 that she is “absolutely delighted that event”

East Sussex College will be working closely with the organisers of Wyntercon” and it will be “a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage more and understand this exciting, growing local project with so many shared values as the colleges around community, inclusion and supporting each other”. Wyntercon will be hosting a range of activities to do this year such as the muchcoveted cosplay competition award, sci-fi themed events and stalls filled with comic, film and video game merchandise. There are also going to be vloggers roaming across the venue. So, if you are lucky enough, you may find yourself in a YouTube video after the event! Wyntercon VI will be hosted at the Eastbourne Sports Park at the East Sussex College Eastbourne campus on the weekend of the 28th-29th September 2019. It’s an opportunity for you to make memories with your friends whether you would like to turn up as Batman/Catwoman or not! Remember, Wyntercon’s official motto is “It doesn’t matter what world you are from, you’re welcome in ours.”

www.wyntercon.org @wyntercon

CHRISTIANITY HAVE WE MOVED ON?

Luke Harmer Design: Luke Harmer

It has shaped everything from our art and architecture, to politics, human rights and education. But, with such dramatic social shift over the last 70 years, it appears fewer and fewer of us are occupying the Christian faith.

hristianity has been the most prevalent faith in the UK for more than 1500 years. Statistics from the 2011 census covering England and Wales showed the population of believers to be 33 million, compared to 2.7m Muslim, around 800,000 Hindus and even fewer Sikhs, Jews and Buddhists. But if we compare this with the previous census, taken when many of us were born (2001), there has been a four-million drop. So is the religion losing its ground? Have its beliefs and values become obsolete, incompatible with our society? To explore one perspective on the matter, Tag ’19 spoke to Jeremy Field, Pastor of Kings Church, Seaford:

past 2000 years, has shaped western values and led us to give worth to things like tolerance and charity. Arguably, it has given us human worth as we think of it now. So, if we think those things are valuable and try to hold onto them without the founding beliefs, I think we’ll saw off the branch we’re sitting on. This view addresses the idea that we could take what is good about Christianity and ‘move on’. Nevertheless, this is just one perspective, so to explore another, Tag ’19 spoke to Dr Paul Frost from Brighton University: Tag ’19: How do you establish morals and ethics without religious beliefs? Paul: When I have this conversation with Christians they often point me to the 10 commandments. These suggest morals are objectively given by God. Alternatively, if morals are subjective - created by people, then presumably they can vary. I think, yes they do vary. Take homosexuality for example. Not that long ago it was a crime, not long before that, it was punishable in a most horrific way. Do Christians care whether their friends are gay or gender-fluid now, I suspect not. So it seems to me, that in some ways, morals vary over time.

Arguably, it has given us human worth as we think of it now

Tag ’19: What is life like as a Church leader in an ever secularising Britain? Jeremy: We live in an age overwhelmed by marketing, everything is condensed into advertising slogans. So, Church leaders often feel they need to sell Christianity, to make it sound attractive, snappy and plausible. But in reality, truly significant and important things don’t need selling. I believe we all have inbuilt drivers pointing us towards God and Christianity’s message, but non-believers are often put off by the system, the religion of it. So, the challenge I face, is in communicating what I believe are vital ideas, in a way that’s engaging and unpackable for the majority.

“I think that we’ve kind of moved past religion, Yes there are people that do believe still, but as a whole it’s fading I think.“

“I believe religion does bring unity to us as a species. But, it also holds us back and prevents us from doing certain things... People are killed a lot in the name of religion as well.” jake (18) spiritual but not religious

Tag ’19: A lot of people tend to think Christianity, and religion in general, are hindering development in western society. How do you respond to this? Jeremy: Just because lots of people think something, doesn’t mean it’s true. Some may say Christianity and religion are stopping us reaching a more free, tolerant and technologically advanced society. However, science is amoral by nature, it only consults the nuts and bolts of ‘what is’. So, it may offer us new levels of understanding, but it won’t give us ethics. Christianity, for the

jade ms. (17) ATHEIST

Christians often say, ‘if there are no God-established ethics and morals, who’s to say what Hitler did was wrong, do you think it was ok?’. No, it wasn’t, but a civilised society can have a way of determining and mediating what is normal and what isn’t. Just because you can cite some things that haven’t changed in the recent past [values that we think stem from Christianity], doesn’t necessarily mean we have to conclude that these are God given.” Only time will tell how Britain’s relationship with the Christian faith changes through years to come. No matter which side of the table you sit at, there are thought provoking points to be heard. It’s also worth mentioning that Jez and Paul are great friends! So, it’s important to remember that the ‘table’ shouldn’t be a barrier dividing society, but a point of contact, that brings people together. 31

DEATH BY SOCIAL MEDIA

What is going on behind the cybersmile? Tag ‘19 spoke to an 18 year old girl who is currently working in a children’s home. She uses social media for around two hours per day and has had feelings of depression since she was 14:

Jade Muncey Design: Jayden Fuller, Jade Meredith-Sullivan

ocial media is a place where we can express ourselves, motivate, communicate, learn and share but it takes up a lot of our time. We make a memory, snap a picture, and message it to a friend. We buy a car, snap a picture, message it a friend. We share each and every success, haircut, makeover, purchase. We share every storm, crime, loss, death. When does sharing become too much, when does it become dangerous, when does it result in death? Death by social media? Is that a thing? Unfortunately in the 21st century it is real and it is happening and this is why. Suicide begins with mental health. Between 2014–2016, 42 people committed suicide in Eastbourne – the highest rate in East Sussex. There are many different mental health issues people can suffer from, but some of the most prevalent ones affect more people every day. According to the Mental Health Foundation, 16 million people in the UK will experience mental illness, and 75% of it will start before your 18th birthday. In a class of 30 school pupils, three will have a diagnosable mental health disorder. It is even 32

more alarming that 75% of young people are not receiving treatment and the average wait for effective treatment is 10 years. There is increasing evidence that social media influences suicide related behaviour. In the past there would have to be a physical location to harass a victim but in the 21st century it is made easy and victims can be reached through all sorts of media platforms. 94% of teens who go online using a mobile device do so daily, the majority using more than one social platform. No matter how much safeguarding a site has in place, it can only protect users to a certain extent and nothing can protect someone 100% against the potential for human cruelty.

Cyberbullicide

Cyberbullicide is the term used to describe suicide due to having experiences with online aggression. There is already so much pressure on young people to act and look a certain way, and with self confidence among our generation already sinking, cyberbullies can thrive on it. Social media sites such as Instagram are a prime example where we often post the best sides of our lives - edited selfies, holidays, body pictures,

cars, promoting the perfect lifestyle - but if you don’t look a certain way, you could become vulnerable to online bullies who pick at what they might consider “flaws”. A photo is not always an accurate representation of life. A ‘cybersmile’ is easily faked and behind some of the most positive and beaming posts could be somebody suffering beneath. Some of the lifestyles people envy are not what they seem to be and usually people realise this when it’s far too late. There are ways to know when something is wrong. If a person seems distant and their energy levels or enthusiasm has dropped, they are not engaging much in normal conversation, aren’t spending as much time doing other activities, like sport, homework or just socializing with friends. Also mood swings and lack of sleep. In general, withdrawal from everyday life. These are just a few warning signs to look out for. Most importantly, always ask your close friends, family, work buddies or anyone, ask anyone if they are ok and if you don’t think they are, take action. If you or someone you know have been affected by any of the issues talked about go to www.childline.org.uk

Tag ’19: What sort of feelings do you experience? I feel worthless and have no energy to do anything. I see the negative side in every situation and overthink everything. I sometimes wonder, what’s the point in carrying on? As I never see how anything will ever get better. I just constantly feel down and have meltdowns without really knowing why. Tag ’19: How does social media influence how you feel? Social media is literally poisonous. Any feeling I experience is made ten times worse by social media because of the pressure it puts on you to look a certain way. I will see posts of celebrities or friends and compare myself to them, making myself feel even lower. I already have low self-esteem anyway without it but I can’t help but log in every day and look at updates in case I miss something. Tag ’19: Have you sought any help or advice? I went to the doctors and they put me on antidepressants and I have regular catch ups with them but I only got help at the beginning of this year. Tag ’19: As a result, have you changed anything to help remove these feelings? I surround myself with close friends that I can trust and I’ve been more open about my feelings with my family and try to recognise positive things in every situation. Tag ’19: What would you say to a friend who is struggling in the same way? Don’t bottle your feelings up as it won’t solve anything. Open up to a friend or family member, tell them how you’re feeling and remember you’re not the only person going through it and you’re not alone. Things will always get better even if they feel like they won’t right now.

MUD, MUSIC, MAYHEM

Lauren Cracknell

Design: Peter Maiden

Music festivals have become a summer tradition after exam season. However it can be quite an overwhelming and intense experience for people who have not been before.

or a lot of the major festivals such as Reading and Glastonbury, it isn’t just about the music, it’s about camping and socialising. We asked a couple of students on their experience camping first time at a festival to get any extra tips. One student, said when he goes to festivals he always takes a padlocked safe with him to keep any of his belongings in that he leaves in his tent unattended. He also recommends to make sure you arrive early so you can pitch your tent in a good private area. Another student who has also been to many festivals in the past, said take a bigger tent than what you’ll need. She said, “If you are staying in a tent by yourself make sure you have enough space for you and an extra person as all your clothes, drink etc. will take up a lot of room.”

Not sure which festival to go to? There are lots of festivals on every year in the UK but these ones listed below are always extremely anticipated and have some of the best acts in music performing there. Have a look:

Glastonbury

26–30 June Location: Worthy Farm, Pilton Headliners: Stormzy, The Killers and The Cure

Boardmasters

7–11 August Location: Newquay Headliners: Wu-Tang Clan, Florence + The Machine and Foals

Download

14–16 June Location: Donington Park, Leicestershire Headliners: Def Leppard, Slipknot and Tool

Reading and Leeds

23–25 August Location: Reading and Leeds Headliners: Foo Fighters, The 1975 and Post Malone/Twenty One Pilots (Co-headliners)

If you have never camped at a festival before and it’s all new to you then Tag ‘19 have come up with a beginner’s guide full of tips to help you survive: 1. Think of it as just going camping. So to start with you will need your usual camping equipment. All the basics are important. Here is a quick checklist: Tent • Sleeping bag • Tent pegs • Pillow • First aid kit • Baby wipes • 2. Don’t spend a lot on a tent. Festival grounds are very messy and busy so there is a chance it may get slightly battered. 3. Make your tent stand out from the rest. There will be tens of thousands of people there all camping at the same time, possibly with very similar looking tents. So make sure your tent is memorable and easy to find. Ways to do this are purchase one in a bright colour or attach a flag of some sort to the top to make yours stand out. 4. Try and not pitch your tent near the toilets. If you have not yet experienced festival toilets then you are in for a right treat. Not only will the smell be horrendous but it will also be constantly busy and noisy right outside your tent. 5. Bring ear plugs for falling asleep. Even when the music has stopped there will still be a lot of noise around your tent. So ear plugs will be your best friend. However be mindful that having ear plugs in may put your tent at risk from being robbed as you won’t be able to hear much – which leads me to the next point. 6. Get a padlock for the entrance of your tent. Sometimes if people are drunk or lost they may accidentally stumble into your tent, so having a padlock on may just make you feel more secure and ensure no one unwanted comes into your tent. You could get a padlock but this can draw attention to you having valuables in it – see tip 7. 7. Don’t take anything too valuable with you that you don’t want to get damaged or lose. An expensive camera, jewellery, smart watch, designer clothes, perhaps even your own phone – your iPhone X may get you some great pictures but there’s nothing wrong with digging out an old phone you wouldn’t be distraught over losing. 8. Make sure you take your tent with you at the end of the festival. Most right minded people will, but there will be the select few that will leave them. Either take your tent with you or check if they do tent recycling schemes where you could leave your tent. Comp-A-Tent told Tag ‘19, “it is estimated that over a million tents are abandoned across Europe, at a rate of 25% at an average event. On-site retailers like Pick-Up a Pop-Up buy back your tent at the end of the festival.” 9. Last, but not least. Make sure you have fun! 33

Contraception is closer than you think For advice about contraception and sexual health visit:

eastsussexsexualhealth.co.uk

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Creative Media Production and Technology Eastbourne Campus

What can our course offer you? film making • music

videos • documentaries • television shows • journalism • print • web design • media theory • photography • radio • live broadcast• editing • image manipulation • animation • motion graphics • podcasts • typography • scriptwriting • industrystandard software •

Interested?

Join us for a taster day at our Eastbourne campus 27 & 28 June 2019

The Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology is a full-time course at East Sussex College. It provides a package equivalent to three full A levels and progression to higher education or employment.

COURSE CODE: 5762/010 “This course has given me the confidence to develop my radio journalism skills and produce live content.” Jade Muncey, second year student Follow us on Instagram @esccreativemedia

For more information, visit www.escg.ac.uk 35 Photography Luke HARMER, MEL NAISH. design: Liam Mustapha

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