Youth homelessness film is a trailblazing success » Housing » 24dash.com

A gritty urban film highlighting the dangers of youth homelessness is being held up as a benchmark project for local authorities across London.

Commissioned by Lambeth Council, The Prodigals film and accompanying training pack has been developed as an educational resource for schools and youth clubs.

Its success has been acknowledged by the government who have awarded the council with a £60K grant to roll the project out London-wide.

The funding will also contribute to a nationwide extension of the education programme.

Filmed on locations in Lambeth, the film explores the links between family conflict and youth homelessness and centres around three main characters, Ryan, Kelly and Leon.

With a thumping soundtrack and accompanying music videos, the film highlights the realities and struggles Ryan has to face after leaving home at a young age.

Kelly, goes to live with Ryan after a row with her mother, she discovers that life away from home isn’t what she expected. Leon, Ryan’s younger brother, is still at home but is faced with a similar dilemma, wanting to leave due to tensions at home with his step-father.

The Prodigals education programme is a central strand in the council's early intervention and prevention approach to tackling youth homelessness.

The DVD film and training resource has been sent to all secondary schools and colleges in Lambeth, and is being used by the council as a more effective way of delivering a number of messages to young people about the dangers of leaving home without the life skills to cope on their own.

The film explores a range of issues in addition to the risk of homelessness, including managing relationships, sexual health, teenage pregnancy and substance misuse

Councillor Lib Peck, cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: "It is vital for young people to understand the impact that leaving home can have on all areas of their life, and we need to ensure that we communicate these issues in a way that is relevant to that generation.

"I'm delighted that Lambeth Council has trail blazed this innovative project and that it has set the standard for other local authorities.

"Any initiative that reduces the risks and dangers of youth homelessness should be shared to ensure that young people from all geographic areas are protected from the dangers of living on the streets."