This October, acclaimed, award winning Leeds-based screen academy, YAFTA marks its 13th anniversary with a major industry milestone: celebrating the very first graduates of its groundbreaking Duty of Care for TV Production Diploma, the first qualification of its kind in the UK run by former Big Brother Duty of Care Psychologist Dr Charlotte Armitage, alongside its latest cohort of Acting for Screen graduates.
Founded in 2013 by duty of care psychologist & psychotherapist Dr Charlotte Armitage, YAFTA was created to challenge traditional entry barriers to the screen industries. Thirteen years on, while the broader media landscape adapts to changing production models, YAFTA continues to expand, setting new benchmarks for ethical production and accessible vocational training.
“People often view 13 as an unlucky number, but for us, reaching our 13th year is a celebration of hard-earned resilience, innovation, and progress,” says Dr Charlotte Armitage, Founder and Managing Director of YAFTA. “The screen industry has evolved rapidly over the past decade. Our 13th anniversary isn’t just about looking back at how far we’ve come, it’s about pioneering the future of film and TV through higher standards of care and accessible training.”
The Duty of Care for TV Production Diploma was launched to address a vital industry gap: safeguarding the psychological wellbeing of cast, crew, and contributors during production by offering industry specific training to meet the skills gap in the sector. Designed and led by Dr Armitage, an experienced media production psychologist, the course equips production teams with formal skills in psychological risk assessment, onset support, and participant welfare.
Alongside the inaugural Duty of Care graduates, October will see the latest actors complete YAFTA’s signature 12-month, Spotlight-recognised Acting for Screen Diploma.
“With the rising cost of higher education and the traditional London-centric focus of drama schools, there needs to be viable alternative routes into this industry,” adds Dr Armitage. “Our practical, industry-focused training proves there is more than one path to a successful career in screen. We are immensely proud of both our Acting and Duty of Care graduates and excited for their future.”
Applications for the next cohort of YAFTA Diploma courses commencing this October are now open. For further details, visit www.yafta.co.uk.
