Flipping cameras

Now I was never one for doing flips at school, I preferred Netball. But in adult life, surprisingly, flips have become a central part of my life.

Just before Christmas I attended The 'Raising Our Sights' conference in Nottingham, which showcases recent work to improve things for people with profound disabilities. From our James Bond villain style lair (the basement of Nottingham Contemporary art gallery), we were presented with a diverse range of presentations with something literally for all. I say this because in addition to the speakers, the Us in a Bus team had been invited up from Redhill, Surrey to hold Intensive Interaction sessions, so that the people we were focusing on could be present too.

I sat entranced during Louisa Whait's project update of the Mencap funded "Involve Me". At least entranced by one particular part of it. Someone had videoed a cookery session, no ordinary session. Spoons, ingredients, bowls flew all over the kitchen. Was anything edible produced at the end of it? Who cares? A brilliant time was had by all.

I am currently trying to upgrade my filming skills and have a new mega camera. Integrating intensive interaction is dependent on video equipment and skills to aid reflection. Period. I have continuously grappled with camera's, hard drives, leads and software, since my first involvement in this work back in 2000.

So which camera was this culinary delight filmed on, I wondered to myself. Will I ever be skilled enough to produce something as entertaining as this? I must book more lessons. Congratulating Louisa the following day on the phone, I dared to ask. "Oh, a Flip", came back the answer, "We like to keep things simple". I have been recommending to all the residential houses within Support for Living to buy flips for their houses, many are now on board with filming as a result. Flips are mobile phone size video cameras, point, shoot, plug in to computer and watch. Stuff the new mega camera, I'm a flipper all the way. Which reminds me I must try to get to the gym this week.