Second Step

The Back To The Planet team has received a warm response to a film telling the stories of three people who have put their lives back together after struggling with drink, drugs or episodes of mental ill-health. All are now living in their own homes after periods spent sofa surfing, in institutions or hostels, or even sleeping rough.

The three were helped to make the difficult move – the second step – from living in sheltered accommodation into their own homes by the Bristol-based charity, Second Step. The charity asked Back To The Planet to make a film which they could show to others facing a similar challenge.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about it and talking about it, it was incredible”” said Nina Simmonds, who commissioned the film on behalf of Second Step. “I’ve known both Rachael and Victor for some years now, so to see them now is so inspiring, uplifting and motivating. It left me feeling that actually, what we do is working. Well done for a brilliant piece of work!”

The film – called Moving Ahead – was premiered at an event in Bristol attended by representatives of dozens of third sector organizations.

“It was really well produced and directed,” said one viewer. “The direction focused on the people and their story rather than the style. It was very professional but not gimmicky, which I think would have taken away from the content. I was gripped all the way through. Even though they dealt with some serious subjects, they kept it very real and human by capturing the different characters, it was funny and kind. Well done!”

Back To The Planet has already started work on a new video about young people living independently, which was commissioned by a housing association which had seen the Second Step film.