(Revolving) doors.

Further on from Finbarr’s Afghanistan doors, I was reminded of this work by a young man that Ben and I taught a few months ago. Dan was working with Revolving Doors, a charity working across England to change systems and improve services for people with multiple problems including poor mental health who are in contact with the criminal justice system.

Their vision is that by 2025 there is an end to the revolving door of crisis and crime, when anyone facing multiple problems and poor mental health is supported to reach their potential, with fewer victims and safer communities as a result.

Ben and I had an incredibly rewarding few days working with the charity, and more specifically, the young men they help. I have never had such a keen bunch of students. The film below, made by Dan and another student is a case in point. He had never used a camera before, never told his story, never recorded audio. I think this is a very strong little piece. It’s not polished, it’s raw. All images found in an hour, the piece built in 3. Dan is almost poetic in his recital, and I urge you to watch and listen. You can blame and judge people all day long if you like, but unless and until you know the full context of why and how people find themselves in such desperate situations, I would suggest you do not. Context is everything.