FIVE young people who have experienced homelessness will unveil their own film on the subject at the Harrogate International Centre tonight.
Behind No Doors is part of a creative art and media campaign to raise awareness of youth homelessness commissioned by Harrogate Council.
The council, working through its youth homeless prevention team HowzTalk, intends to use the film as an educat
ion 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 organisation.
The council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Jean Butterfield, said those involved were 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 she 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."
Fifteen young people were involved in making the film in total, but 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 Coun 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. Raising awareness of what options are available to our young people is high on that agenda."
Coun Butterfield said the Behind No Doors film and its resource pack was already creating interest from local educators.
Inspired Youth's Chris James said the young people had 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."
All 15 of the production team have reached the V50 volunteering landmark.
The Mayor of Harrogate, John Fox, will present Anthony Dacre, Emily Hesketh, Natalie Robinson, Harley Regan and Amy Dawes with their award before the première of their film.
