The road to recovery

Real Time works alongside recovering addicts who make two films exploring their concerns and coping strategies

Real Time’s approach to articipatory video offers vulnerable people the opportunity to reflect on their situation, tell their stories in their own words and offer us all an insight into their lives. Working in partnership with Yeldall Manor, a rehabilitation centre in Berkshire and Pilgrim Hearts Trust, Real Time ran a video project with recovering addicts.

They were provided with the opportunity and support to make their own very personal films, exploring their concerns and coping strategies. These testimonials then led to the production of two 15-minute films. The group wanted to make films which could be used anti-drug counseling particularly aimed at prevention with young people.

Revolving Doors looks at the relationship between addiction and prison. 'It’s just a big circle you know… crime, drugs, prison, crime, drugs, prison… it’s about change now.'

Where did I go wrong? explores the impact drugs has on the families of those addicted. 'To begin with when he was going through it I felt very much alone. I felt I couldn’t tell anybody about it.'

Pilgrim Hearts Trust works with marginalised people to help them reach their full potential through the use of the creative arts.

DVD work packs are available from pilgrimhearts.org.uk

The project was funded by the Berkshire Community Foundation and the European Social Fund