A TEAM of students have created an innovative film delving into the issue of hidden homelessness.
Students working at Signal Film and Media have written, produced and starred in a three-minute film entitled 'No Fixed Address' which sheds light on the topic of hidden homelessness across Cumbria.
The young people were inspired to make the film after hearing a talk by local charity Nightstop Cumbria, a Depaul UK service providing emergency accommodation for young people in need, in the homes of volunteer hosts.
Launching last month, ‘No Fixed Address’ hopes to both raise awareness of ‘sofa-surfing’ and provide information to support anyone needing to access the services available.
The emotive three-minute film, headed by Signal Films and Media, uses a variety of media - from green screen live action to stop-motion animation techniques like 2D cell & 3D claymation - to illustrate a spoken word poem written by local poet Matthew Whatley.
The 'visual poem' tells the story of a young man on a zero hours contract forced to live on various friend’s sofas because he lacks the steady income to afford secure accommodation.
Project Manager Julia Parks, said: "Nightstop Cumbria came in to talk to us about hidden homelessness and explained that many young people end up staying with friends or family in unsafe and uncomfortable situations, rather than sleep rough.
"But although these young people have a roof over their heads, they’re still homeless.
"They don’t have a safe, permanent place to stay.”
The project is part of Signal Film's annual programme to immerse young people aged 16-19 into the world of film and media.
Ms Parks said: "I think the programme is a way of giving young people in Barrow the opportunity to get involved in creative media.
"Often young people in Cumbria face the challenge of not being involved in creative jobs.
"So we set up the idea that you can be involved in film-making and you don't have to move away to progress in a creative career.
"We want to let people know there are creative opportunities here close to home."
Signal Films and Media is re-launching its youth film programme in September this year.
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