On the 20th February, our latest documentary, It Takes A Village, was successfully screened at a red-carpet premiere event at The Light Cinema, Walsall! This film was commissioned by Walsall Council Children’s Services team and was produced by our sister company Open Lens Productions to explore the lived experiences of young people leaving the social care system in Walsall and the barriers that they face.
It Takes A Village delivers a real and honest insight into the everyday challenges faced by young Care Leavers and focuses on themes of independence, accommodation, and mental health.
Filming for the documentary took place during National Care Leavers Week in 2023 and follows Head of Service for Corporate Parenting and Leaving Care, Zoe Morgan, as she trades the privilege of suburban life for a week in the shoes of a young Care Leaver in an attempt to understand the difficulties they face and how to improve their service. Contributors to the documentary also included Transition and Leaving Care staff, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC), and young Care Leavers.
Our hope is that this crucial work highlights the solutions needed to support the young people’s transition away from corporate parenting, whilst celebrating the steps that they have taken after leaving the care system and in gaining independence.
Thank you to all those who attended the screening event yesterday, and a big shout out to the brilliant Care Leavers for sharing their stories with us ♥️