Sixth form pupils have set up their own media company in a bid to raise awareness about homelessness.
The 28 youngsters, all in Year 12 at School 21, are aiming to make a feature-length film highlighting the plight of those sleeping rough in the Stratford Centre.
As part of the scheme, dubbed Project Home, the teenagers have taken on different jobs, with some filming or editing the footage and others working in roles such as graphic designers or social media managers.
Nunsia Alan is part of the partnerships team, trying to raise awareness of their project.
“We’re trying to get people to come to our event on June 21,” she said.
“We’re going to show the first 10 minutes of our documentary.”
The 17-year-old said that in order to make the full hour-long film, the group needed to raise £4,000 by the date of the event.
“I hope we can do it,” she said.
“We want to help out. We want to give back to the community.”
Anne Manuales, 17, is part of the post-production team editing the footage that has been filmed at the Stratford Centre.
“It’s an opportunity to do something outside of class,” she said. “It’s really pushed me to do editing.”
Teacher Mark Blundell explained the pupils are passionate about the project, which came after finding out that, according to Shelter, one in 25 people in Newham are homeless.
“Some of our students walk through the Stratford Centre every day,” he said.
“The main objective is to start a new conversation about homelessness in Stratford.”
He added: “We see 2018 as a huge opportunity to do things differently in Newham. There are the conditions to support society’s most vulnerable in better ways, and ways that mean everyone has somewhere to call home.”
The pupils will be holding an event at the Pitchford Street, Stratford school on Thursday, June 21, which will bring together those with a passion for helping the homeless and include a screening of the start of their documentary.
The Recorder has previously reported on the plight of homelessness in the borough and rough sleeping at the Stratford Centre. To register, visit eventbrite.co.uk and search Project Home premiere tickets.
To donate towards the pupils’ £4,000 target to continue making the film, visit kickstarter.com and search Project Home.
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