The eight-minute film is based on the experiences of the charity's service users...
Emmanuel House have created a short film to highlight the impact of homelessness prevention and the importance of their work across Nottingham.
The city-based charity released Sanctuary, an eight-minute film based on the lived experiences of their service users, on YouTube yesterday, with the video receiving over 100 views within 24 hours.
Commissioned as part of the #TacklingHomelessness Winter Appeal, Sanctuary is directed and produced by local filmmaker Luke Radford, who co-directed the charity’s 2020 short film Lone, as well as BBC One’s Soul Boy.
Telling the story of Kareem, who comes close to homelessness after the effects of family trauma and abuse since childhood send his life in a downward spiral, the film was shot in Nottingham and stars Lucky Azad, Danish Latif and Shammi Aulakh, with music composed by Fergus Brignall.
Radford said of the project: “Whilst Sanctuary is a fictional reimagining of service user stories, it was important that the film was rooted in reality and reflected real lived experiences.”
Operating from their Support Centre in Goose Gate, Emmanuel House support homeless, vulnerable and isolated adults across Nottingham - providing diverse and accessible services including showers, laundry and a change of clothing.
The charity’s CEO, Denis Tully, said: “Anyone can become homeless, regardless of how secure they are in their current circumstances – people with jobs, families, friends and homes.
“A lot of Emmanuel House’s work is to do with preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place. A lot of our outreach work, like that of Kareem’s support worker in the film, is to do with helping people who are in poor accommodation and are vulnerable to becoming homeless. Many people that suffer with their mental health and childhood trauma often find it hard to manage the complexities involved with managing a tenancy and need support.”
Sanctuary is now available to watch on YouTube.
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