Most of us had moments when we were growing up when arguments at home seemed to become unbearable. For many young people, the choice between sleeping in an unhappy household, or leaving to find a new place feels like an obvious one. Finding somewhere new can often seem like the better option at the time. Young people often make this decision when things are not going well at home, and ultimately regret it after experiencing the harsh reality of homelessness. Being homeless can leave a person feeling vulnerable, misplaced and neglected whatever age they may be. Young people in particular, are swiftly robbed of their naivety and innocence as they adapt to this very different world. Of course, in cases where somebody is facing abuse at home, removing that person from the household and providing support is the right thing to do. However in most cases, it is best to stick together as a family and attempt to work through problems. Talking through issues at home and finding a compromise between family members can offer a much better solution than sleeping on friends’ sofas or a dark back alley doorway.
TrueTube have collaborated with the Essex Homelessness Response Team to produce a range of resources called 'Doorways' which tackles the heart of this sensitive subject. Using different media, the resources successfully emphasise the truth of homelessness from different angles. Three short films focus on young people who have been homeless themselves. They explain how they dealt with their situation and how they came to be in the position they’re in today. A fourth film interviews a homeless youth specialist who gives valuable advice to young people who are considering leaving home. The accompanying lesson plan focuses on the different options available to young people, helping them to understand the potential problems involved in leaving home and giving them a crash course in basic conflict resolution skills to help them stay. If this wasn’t enough, the interactive activity provides a window into a virtual world where your students can choose their own path through a series of situations and see how they would manage as a homeless person. By exploring the potential outcomes as if it were their own lives, the students can gather a deeper understanding of the subject as a whole. Whether we are students strolling to school or adults absent-mindedly walking to work, many of us pass homeless people on our travels. The personality and the story behind a stereotype can often be unappreciated. With resources like this, we are encouraging the next generation to walk through the crowd and think beyond what they see.
TrueTube have collaborated with the Essex Homelessness Response Team to produce a range of resources called 'Doorways' which tackles the heart of this sensitive subject. Using different media, the resources successfully emphasise the truth of homelessness from different angles. Three short films focus on young people who have been homeless themselves. They explain how they dealt with their situation and how they came to be in the position they’re in today. A fourth film interviews a homeless youth specialist who gives valuable advice to young people who are considering leaving home. The accompanying lesson plan focuses on the different options available to young people, helping them to understand the potential problems involved in leaving home and giving them a crash course in basic conflict resolution skills to help them stay. If this wasn’t enough, the interactive activity provides a window into a virtual world where your students can choose their own path through a series of situations and see how they would manage as a homeless person. By exploring the potential outcomes as if it were their own lives, the students can gather a deeper understanding of the subject as a whole. Whether we are students strolling to school or adults absent-mindedly walking to work, many of us pass homeless people on our travels. The personality and the story behind a stereotype can often be unappreciated. With resources like this, we are encouraging the next generation to walk through the crowd and think beyond what they see.