Young filmmakers take the glamour out of sleeping rough

Published by AD for Sarsen Housing Association in Housing and also in Education

Teenagers who used to be homeless have made a film to encourage young people to think twice before leaving home.

‘Home or Homeless’ is a five-minute animation aimed at youngsters under 16 to show what sleeping rough and having no money is really like.

Toni Mumford, 17, said: “We made the film to show that leaving home is not as glamorous as people think. You’ve got to find somewhere to live and then worry about the rent and bills.”

The film is to be premiered at Club Ice in Westbury on Wednesday, 29th October, before more than 50 local councillors, youth leaders and school heads, as well as representatives from national homeless charity Shelter.

The eight young filmmakers spent four days over the summer at Chippenham College with animator Melvyn Ternan to bring their story to life. They wrote the script, provided the voiceovers and helped produce the film.

Sarsen Housing Association sponsored the project as part of its commitment to give young people the opportunity to develop and learn new skills.

‘Home or Homeless’ will be shown later this year to all children in Wiltshire as part of the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) curriculum.

The teenagers are part of the Involving Young People Group set up by Wiltshire Accommodation Support Scheme for Young People which supports16 and 17-year-olds across Wiltshire who are homeless or living somewhere unsuitable. The group was set up to give the youngsters a voice and the chance to have a say about services for young homeless people.