Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) once again collaborated It’s in the Bag, a Bristol-based charity dedicated to supporting and raising awareness for men with testicular cancer, on ‘Test Fest 2024’.

It’s in the Bag have three simple aims:

• Support: providing a range of activities and initiatives to help men through diagnosis and treatment, a physically, mentally and emotionally demanding journey.
• Awareness: teaching men the importance of self-checking regularly, and taking any issues straight to their GP – often meaning simpler, more effective treatment and better chances of a cure.
• Survival: helping men tackle the emotional and practical impact of cancer, both during treatment and into their lives after.

The BTC Creative Arts department had the opportunity for their students to work on an extra special project that debuted during “Test Fest 2024”.

“Test Fest” is an annual one-day music festival for all the family, which is integral to It’s in the Bag’s mission. Recently shortlisted in the UK Festival Awards for Brand Activation, the 2024 event was another roaring success.

Featuring camping on-site, a Drum Bus, food stalls and children’s entertainment, the line-up featured The Leylines, Filta, Danny McMahon and many others.

Bands featuring at Test Fest tend to donate their performances to the charity, showing their commitment to beating cancer, raising awareness of the issues testicular cancer causes for men across the country, and highlighting avenues of support for those in need.

In 2023, BTC students produced letter displays, which are often found in festivals across the UK, as well as a large pair of pants. These celebrated designs have led to a continuing partnership between BTC and It’s in the Bag, and in 2024, the process was repeated.

Sue Brand & Bill Brand of It’s in the Bag attended BTC and pitched the idea to the students and staff. After getting to grips with the brief, students were keen to take part.

Sue Brand, Chief Operating Officer, Events & Media, commented,

The College were so pleased with the work experience project last year that they wanted to work with us again. There have been some great designs and the students have worked hard to fit the brief.

In the run-up to the festival, a panel of judges including Matt Hill, PR and Marketing Manager at Sheppy’s Cider and Jon Dixon, Bristol Artist who is also a patron of the charity, made their choices.

Hannah O’Shea, Course Leader, Creative, Digital & Professional Studies, said,

We were delighted to be involved with It’s in the Bag to work in collaboration with our Art & Design students. This offers them the opportunity to work on a client-led brief for their work experience week. It is an excellent opportunity to work alongside an organisation that works so hard to raise awareness of such an important topic, whilst also allowing the students to gain experience of creating design work for a professional client. Working to their requirements and time scale is vital experience and allows them an initial introduction to working within the creative industries.

At BTC, we are proud to be working collaboratively with ‘It’s in the Bag’, raising awareness to testicular cancer, and helping grow its amazing community.

For more information on future events and BTC’s multitude of educational offerings, please visit www.btc.ac.uk or get in touch with the Information & Advice team by emailing info@btc.ac.uk