Bridging the Gaps DVD

Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Bridging the Gaps, our latest youth-led media project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the Octavia Foundation has taken nine local young people and produced a film about the upcoming housing and welfare benefit cuts and what they mean to the community.

The project began in April 2011, and was developed to give young people the opportunity to learn practical film making skills (including story-boarding, research, pre and post production and filming skills), whilst addressing the growing confusion and anxiety that has emerged as a result of changes to welfare and housing benefits. Initial training, led by professional film-makers and youth workers, took place at BASE, in Pimlico – the Octavia Foundation’s recently established youth club space.

The film is made up of scripted interviews with tenants asking questions around some of the biggest changes. Stuart Freeman, a housing, debt, money management and welfare benefits Consultant, guided their research, and residents from Octavia Housing, as well as the young people themselves, acted in the film. 

The 10 minute film is available to view on YouTube and by clicking here. The accompanying booklet is available in the right hand column on this page.

To order your own DVD free of charge, please get in touch via the contact information. The DVD also includes a short film on the new Kensington and Chelsea Credit Union, as well as ways that Octavia can help. 

Once you have viewed the film, please spare a few minutes to complete a short questionnaire which will provide us with feedback to support the development of future projects. Click here to complete the survey.

If you are a tenant and have any questions about the welfare benefits changes, please contact your housing or income officer for further advice or for a referral to Westminster CAB debt advisors.