New campaign from Black Dog Films warns of Covid impact on Youth Homelessness

Director Ridley Scott’s Black Dog Films has launched a new film campaign and clothing line with UK charity network End Youth Homelessness (EYH), aimed at raising awareness around the impact of Covid-19 on 16-25-year olds.

The campaign, which marks an ongoing collaboration between the production company and EYH, visualises the network of support EYH partner charities directly provide to over 30,000 vulnerable young people across the UK. In addition to online and influencer support, the film will be screened in select train stations over the Christmas period.

With creative, direction, and score by Tom Dream (Arlo Parks, Celeste), the campaign uses real case studies read by voice actors from national theatre schools including the National Youth Theatre, The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, and the Central School of Speech and Drama. Working with post agency We Are Covert Tom’s film humanises the stories behind shocking UK youth homeless statistics.

“It was important for me that real accounts of young people were heard during this time, and that we were able to put a human face to the overwhelming data of over 110,000 young people currently facing homelessness in the UK,” said Tom. “This is a national crisis, and so it was also important to communicate the vital work that EYH does in connecting charities across the UK, creating a national network of support; a network that relies on donations and public awareness to remain strong and intact.”

Research from EYH partner charity Centrepoint shows that more than three quarters of council respondents across England have seen an increase in homelessness in their area since the start of the pandemic. More than four in ten have seen a significant increase. And almost three quarters of councils foresee an increase in levels of homelessness due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Calls to Centrepoint’s helpline have also increased by almost 50 per cent since the beginning of lockdown.  
 
“During the pandemic, the number of young people facing homelessness has skyrocketed” said End Youth Homelessness Managing Director Nick Connelly. “16-25s are set to be the worst hit group financially, and they will suffer the most long-term unless they get the support they need now. If we act now, we can give young people the future they deserve”.