The Offshoot Foundation’s partnership with Suffolk Archives has played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for young people, empowering them to engage with history through the medium of filmmaking. Over the years, this collaboration has yielded several impactful projects, notably Deaf Perspectives and ‘We have to move on’. Both projects not only celebrate heritage but also give a voice to young, often underrepresented communities, while building technical and creative skills in filmmaking.
Deaf Perspectives is a shining example of the importance of inclusive storytelling. This project was developed by Suffolk Archives and Orchestras Live, with a focus on the life of deaf photographer Walton Burrell, who captured around 20,000 photographs throughout his life, documenting everything from local landscapes to his travels across the globe. Working closely with students from Westgate Community Primary School and King Edward VI School, both of which have Deaf Resource Bases, Offshoot enabled students to explore photography and filmmaking in ways that celebrated Burrell’s legacy while developing their own skills.





One of the things that made Deaf Perspectives so successful was the early involvement of Offshoot in the project’s planning stages, allowing them to shape how the children would experience and interact with the subject matter. As Suffolk Archives’ Hannah Salisbury recalls, “Paul and Anna from Offshoot were involved right from the early stages, helping us create workshops that made photography accessible to the students, many of whom had never engaged with photography before. They brought the equipment and guided the children, teaching them about composition and giving them the hands-on experience to experiment with photography themselves.”
The impact of the project extended beyond technical skills. It gave young people the opportunity to work collaboratively, building confidence in their creative expression. Offshoot’s ability to create a comfortable, encouraging environment for the students was key. Hannah adds, “We had children aged 5 to 15 involved, and many had never done anything like this before. Offshoot helped them feel at ease, enabling them to capture some amazing photographs and produce work they were truly proud of.” This inclusive approach to creative learning opened doors for students, with some now considering photography or music for their GCSEs.
Another major collaboration was the ‘We have to move on’ project, which saw Offshoot working with Suffolk Archives, Orchestras Live, the National Horse Racing Museum, and Newmarket Academy. This project was centred around a group of Jewish refugees who had lived in Newmarket during the Second World War, weaving together their stories and musical heritage into two orchestral performances. Offshoot was brought in to film these performances and to capture the essence of the project.

One standout moment from this project was Offshoot’s work with four GCSE drama students from Newmarket Academy. The students were tasked with reading excerpts from the memoirs of one of the refugees, and despite their initial nervousness, Offshoot’s team provided guidance and support that allowed the students to shine. “Paul was amazing with them,” Hannah Salisbury remembers, “he used an autocue to help with their delivery and really put them at ease. By the end of the day, these students who were so nervous at first had delivered incredible performances. You could see their confidence grow right before your eyes.”
The technical complexities of the ‘We have to move on’ project were equally impressive. Offshoot’s team managed to capture multiple elements from the concert, including a professional string quartet, a youth orchestra, dancers, and even primary school children participating in the performance. With multiple cameras and sound equipment, they filmed a seamless production, overcoming challenges such as outdoor acoustics and a large performance space. Hannah reflects on the dedication of Offshoot’s team: “James and Ben from Offshoot led the filming that day and did an incredible job. They had around six cameras running to capture every aspect of the performance, and the final film beautifully captured the magic of the day.”

Through these partnerships, Offshoot has not only delivered exceptional films but has also provided students with invaluable opportunities to develop new skills, build their confidence, and engage in creative storytelling. These experiences leave a lasting impact on the young people involved, as evidenced by their enthusiasm and the high praise from teachers and parents alike.
Looking to the future, Offshoot and Suffolk Archives are already exploring new projects that will continue to engage young people in filmmaking and heritage. Their dedication to creating inclusive and creative opportunities for young people ensures that these projects not only preserve history but empower the next generation of filmmakers.

Useful Links:
Suffolk Archives, Deaf Perspectives
Orchestras Live: We have to move on
Westgate C.P.School – Deaf Resource Base