What We Do
Hidden Harm Film Project Lurgan Foyer
- Date: 19 May, 2010
- Centre: Belfast Foyer Bytes
- Category: Health
In December 2009 funding was obtained from The Southern Area Health and Social Care Trust in order to deliver a project highlighting the issues around hidden harm.
A significant number of the residents of Lurgan Foyer have arrived there as a direct or indirect result of alcohol and drug related family background. Some are referred through Social Services and their experiences and risks well known to the Foyer manager. Others disclose information and/or behaviours which allow staff an insight into the hidden harm elements that have been part of their family experience. The Bytes Project staff worked with the Foyer Manager to develop project ideas and it was agreed that using the medium of storyboards and film will allow the young people to explore the range of issues around hidden harm in a sensitive and creative way.
The Story : Too much, too young
Roberta and Liam are both 18 years old and have a little girl Ruby who is 6 months old. The film starts with Roberta telling Liam that she is pregnant again. Liam does not take this news well and they get into an argument and Liam storms out. Roberta is left feeling extremely hurt and angry and contacts her friend to go out and leaves Ruby with a baby sitter. Regardless of being pregnant Roberta gets drunk with her friend. Throughout the film we see Roberta becoming more and more isolated and drinking to cope with her problems. She argues with Liam and her friend and this results in the arrival of Social Services who then take Ruby into care. The stress of this coupled by the heavy drinking leads to Roberta having a miscarriage. This shows Roberta at her lowest point. We then fast forward 8 months and Roberta is talking to a counsellor and has begun to rebuild her life and reflects on her journey.
Copies of the DVD are available by contacting staff at Belfast Foyer Bytes Project, it also also available to view on UTUBE by typing in Lurganfoyer.