Former Alton College media student Arlo Kearns has screened a documentary he filmed while on a college trip to Mexico.

In June Arlo, who has multiple complex disabilities and uses an electric wheelchair, was one of 11 students to go on an 18-day visit to Mexico, funded by the Turing Scheme.

This is a government programme funding opportunities in education and training across the world, providing students with life-changing experiences.

Arlo’s documentary was screened at HSDC’s Havant College campus on November 6, giving Arlo, his classmates, staff and guests a moment to celebrate his success.

The documentary, and subsequent question and answer session, shed light on the challenges Arlo faced during the trip, and the steps he and those with him took to alleviate these.

Arlo believes it was a “launchpad” for his personal and professional aspirations and gave him the confidence to develop his skills.

He said “Electric wheelchairs are foreign to a lot of people. I hadn’t even touched a proper camera a week before we flew out to Mexico. It gave me a great perspective on how shots are composed, and the importance of collaboration.

“Using the camera gave me a sense of independence and opened up a lot of opportunities. It showed me that I can do it, that it’s possible.”

Since 2022 HSDC has completed four successful Turing bids, allowing the college to run trips to India and Switzerland as well as Mexico, involving 85 students in total.

Aaron Butson, assistant principal for business, employment and skills, said: “The Turing Scheme is one of the main ways that HSDC is able to realise its vision of transforming these students’ lives with the power of education. It’s an incredible honour to be involved in schemes like this.”

Whatever their personal challenges, the college is committed to pushing students to overcome their adversities and aspire to do great things.

HSDC’s Turing co-ordinator Julio Carillo, who helped supervise the students on the Mexico trip, said: “The transformational impact of these experiences is second to none.

“Watching Arlo face these challenges, overcome them and put them in his documentary was incredibly moving to watch. It’s such an incredible honour to be at the forefront of this experience.”

The Turing Scheme continues to play a pivotal role in transforming students’ lives, with HSDC having two trips scheduled for 2025 involving another 39 students - India in February and Mexico in the summer - which are an invaluable experience for these students.

Arlo’s story of hope and triumph is one that continues to inspire everyone at the college.

Now at university, Arlo is hoping to seize the opportunity to go on placement years abroad with the hope of pursuing a career in the media industry.

Without the trip to Mexico, Arlo believes that he would have never considered these opportunities - making the Turing Scheme a real chance to change the lives of students across the country, regardless of their background.

For more information about the Turing Scheme visit https://www.turing-scheme.org.uk/