Haringey young people produce short films about their estates
Tuesday 9 December 2008
"I like living here, people are friendly and look out for one another.”
"People think just because we’re young, all we do is carry knives and that. It’s not true.”
"There’s nowhere for us to play and people complain when we make a noise.”
These are just some of the comments in four films made by young people in Haringey.
The 10-minute ‘shorts’ covered facilities for young people, safe places to play, anti-social behaviour and general aspects of modern urban living, and reflected the feelings and experiences of young people living on four local estates: Edgecot Grove, The Sandlings, Coldfall and Northumberland Park.
Each film was planned and shot by young people over a single weekend, working with local film companies Fig Tree Films and two twelve films, commissioned by Homes for Haringey in partnership with Haringey Council’s Neighbourhoods teams and the Bridge New Deal for Communities Project .
As a result of the films, most of the points raised about play facilities and problems with general repairs have been addressed. A new football area at Edgecot Grove is just one example of how the young people involved in the films have brought about a positive improvement.
Yemi Akinfenwa, a Youth Project Manager at The Bridge NDC which funded the Edgecot Grove film, said, “The films were all about giving young people a voice. They have succeeded in doing that, and young people’s voices have been heard.”
Jason Bradley, Interim Muswell Hill Neighbourhood Manager, who has been working with young people in Coldfall to empower them, said, “The project helped highlight young people’s issues on the estates and their capacity to take action themselves.”
Two of the groups of young people have used the films to support presentations they have made to local Area Assembly meetings run by Haringey Council.
Paul Bridge, Chief Executive of Homes for Haringey, said, “Young people in Haringey can give tremendous insight into what makes life both good and bad on our estates, and I believe they should be listened to. I am delighted that the exercise has given them some creative and technical experience which will be beneficial to them in the future.”
Notes for editors
Homes for Haringey is the Arms Length Management Organisation managing Haringey Council’s housing stock.
It is responsible for:
- Services to approx 21,000 council owned properties: 16,700 tenanted and 4,500 leasehold
- Tenancy and estate management
- Housing management of supported housing
- Rent collection and arrears management
- Repairs and maintenance
- Leasehold management
- Resident involvement
- Meeting the Decent Homes Standard.
To talk to someone about this news item or for copies of the films please contact us:
Email: communications@homesforharingey.org
Tel: 020 8489 2998
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