Behind No Doors - young people's perspective on homelessness
DATE OF ISSUE : 9 December 2008
Media opportunity and to interview film makers see below
Submitted photographs Behind No Doors 1 and 2.jpg
LAUNCH OF 'BEHIND NO DOORS'
A PERSPECTIVE ON YOUTH HOMELESSNESS BY YOUNG PEOPLE
On 17 December 2008, five young people from the Harrogate district, who have themselves experienced homelessness, will unveil their film 'Behind No Doors' before an audience at Harrogate International Centre.
'Behind No Doors' is a creative art and media campaign to raise awareness of youth homelessness.
Harrogate Borough Council, working through its youth homeless prevention team 'HowzTalk', commissioned this work which will be used as an education resource throughout schools and colleges within the district and eventually across the county.
The project was led by Inspired Youth a York-based not for profit media and creative organisation.
Councillor Jean Butterfield, the council's Cabinet Member for Housing, says that these young people are too young to remember Cathy Come Home the 1960s drama directed by Ken Loach about a young family's slide into homelessness and poverty, but hopes that the 'Behind No Doors' documentary will be an equally defining moment.
She said:
'Behind No Doors' is a campaign driven and directed by young people for young people."
Although 15 young people were involved, five of them worked on the project from beginning to the final cut.
"They wrote the questions and sourced the interviewees which included our own Head of Housing, Barnardo's Crashpad hosts, Youth Workers and Members of Parliament", added Cllr Butterfield.
"They also talked to and filmed those who spend their lives on the street or sofa surfing and others who got out of the trap.
What is clear from this project is that much more can be done to help prevent youth homelessness and raising awareness of what options are available to our young people is high on that agenda.
The production team and Inspired Youth have explored all this through different art forms and the culmination is a film and resource pack that is already creating interest from local educators.
Chris James of Inspired Youth says these young people have been an inspiration to work with.
"This commission gave them the opportunity to express their own experiences through a variety of art forms for the benefit of their peers.
What it has also given them is a boost to their skills and confidence.
The council is seeking Beacon status for its housing service and invited the core team to make a presentation to the Government assessors, which was very well received.
This project will certainly dispel some of the myths about young people.
We want to promote the positive contributions which young people make in their communities."
Having done 50 hours of volunteer work all 15 of the production team have reached the V50 volunteering landmark.
On 17 December Cllr John Fox, Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate who has chosen volunteering as his theme for his year in office, will present Anthony Dacre, Emily Hesketh, Natalie Robinson, Harley Regan and Amy Dawes with their award. ENDS
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY:
4.00pm Wednesday 17 December 2008, Queen Suite, Harrogate International Centre, Kings Road, Harrogate.
Anthony, Emily, Natalie, Harley and Amy will be preparing for the première of their film which will start at 6.00pm before an audience of teachers, pupils, youth related agencies, housing associations, community and voluntary agencies, councillors, Members of Parliament, fire, police and youth offending teams.
If members of the media wish to attend could they please make arrangements via Judy Field, HowzTalk Co-ordinator on 01423 869815 or 522915.
If you can't be there but would like to set up interviews, Judy can also arrange this.
MEDIA CONTACT: Cllr Jean Butterfield is available for comment on 01423 770381.
Chris James from Inspired Youth is available on 07814 434137.
General media enquiries to Lynne Mee, Communications and Media Manager on 01423 556022 or lynne.mee@harrogate.gov.uk