Not Just Homeless | stories of homelessness in Oxford (Full Length)

What is it like to be homeless in Oxford, the least affordable city in the UK?

A group of formerly homeless people together with two local students and two staff members of organisations that support homeless people in the city took on the challenge and produced this unique film. Over the course of two months, the team used action research and participatory video techniques to explore the diversity of causes of homelessness, the complexity of people’s struggles and how to break down harmful stereotyping.

“Not Just Homeless” challenges our prejudices through the touching voices and inspirational stories of 24 people who experienced homelessness, whilst illustrating the key role that Oxford’s support organisations played in their journeys.

Through numerous public and private screening events, the film helped to raise money for ongoing work with homeless people in Oxford whilst reaching a large and diverse audience, including local policy makers, service providers, students and members of the general public. It sparked a constructive discussion about strategies to fight inequality in the city and the necessary support to help people who struggle with mental health issues or who have histories of homelessness, substance abuse or criminality reintegrate into society. The film was screened in the local cinema, at the City Council and featured in the Oxford Human Rights Festival. It was also incorporated into Thames Valley Police training material and a short version continues to be used in schools to raise awareness amongst children and youth.

‘Not Just Homeless’ was made during and action and participatory video project delivered by InsightShare in 2015 and was funded by Aspire Oxford and Oxford HomelessPathways. InsightShare uses Participatory Video as a tool for individuals and groups to grow in self-confidence and trust, and to build skills to act for change. InsightShare works with participatory methods that value local knowledge, build bridges between communities and decision-makers, and enable people to develop greater control over the decisions affecting their lives: https://insightshare.org

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