CHILDREN TELLING THEIR STORIES ON THEIR TERMS
1 in 4 children in the UK live in poverty. Who better to create a campaign on this issue than children who are facing it?
That’s why Save the Children teamed up with a brilliant group of teenagers to change the story for children living in poverty. Aged 14 to 17: Aisha, Darcy, Esther, Heather, Maddison, Staci, and Stella took part in workshops hosted by Save the Children and creative agency, Effervescent – specialists in creating campaigns alongside children.
The goal was to challenge perceptions of poverty in the UK and call on the government to take action to end child poverty. The result is a powerful film, influenced by their experiences of poverty.
The film is a heart-wrenching story about what could have been for so many children who didn’t get the support they needed.
In our story, a girl is studying hard to be a doctor. She isn’t qualified yet and is having to work a second job to make ends meet. She is being held back, right when a family in crisis needs her most...
A still from the film of the lead actress Katie (a young person from Bristol)
A still from the film of the lead actress Katie (a young person from Bristol)
Potential, not Poverty
'Potential, not Poverty' was filmed in Bristol, with direction from award-winning filmmaker and proud working-class Bristolian, Paul Holbrook.
Dot Smith, a young artist from Plymouth, sang the music, with lyrics written by the group.
Meet the the young creatives
Playing games to get the creative ideas flowing.
Playing games to get the creative ideas flowing.
Dreaming up film concepts
Dreaming up film concepts
Coming up with creative ideas during the workshop in the Peak District.
Coming up with creative ideas during the workshop in the Peak District.
Our wonderful team of Effervescent staff, Save the Children's story producer, and our young creatives.
Our wonderful team of Effervescent staff, Save the Children's story producer, and our young creatives.
The group of teenagers were recruited through Save the Children's programmes and partner schools and colleges in the UK.
Save the Children provides grants, early education support, and household essentials to help struggling families. We work with families, schools, nurseries, GPs, local councils and food pantries to make sure there are no gaps for children to fall through.
We alongside children to make sure their voices are heard on the issues that affect them.
“It’s hard always having to worry about money and where to get it. Some people don’t understand that if you don’t have enough money for food, this can affect how well you do in class. Often parents are loving, supportive, and they try their best but there are many big obstacles.
My feelings about my film going out into the public are like a roller coaster.”
- Maddison, 16, Newcastle
Maddison, 15, a young creative on the film set in Bristol.
Maddison, 15, a young creative on the film set in Bristol.
Darcy, 15, one of the young creatives on the film set in Bristol.
Darcy, 15, one of the young creatives on the film set in Bristol.
“In the media, you normally see child poverty being spoken about very negatively. Our film aims to do something different by communicating empathy rather than pity. It focuses on the potential children have and how they are being held back.”
- Darcy, 15, Plymouth
“For children experiencing poverty, it can feel incredibly lonely. The film isn’t meant to make people feel bad, it’s meant to make a bridge between different groups and help people understand each other better.”
- Aisha, 17, Manchester
Aisha, 17, a young creative, holding one of her storyboard drawings during the workshop in the Peak District.
Aisha, 17, a young creative, holding one of her storyboard drawings during the workshop in the Peak District.
Drawings by Aisha, 17 of film storyboards during the workshop. This this gives you a glimpse of how imaginative the young peoples' ideas were.
Drawings by Aisha, 17 of film storyboards during the workshop. This this gives you a glimpse of how imaginative the young peoples' ideas were.
Want to see how they created the campaign? Watch the behind the scenes film below to hear more from the young creatives.
Some snaps from the film set in Bristol.
Director Paul Holbrook, talking to child extras on the film set in Bristol.
Director Paul Holbrook, talking to child extras on the film set in Bristol.
The lead child actress on the film set in Bristol.
The lead child actress on the film set in Bristol.
The film crew on set in Bristol.
The film crew on set in Bristol.
The film launch
We launched the film 'Potential, not Poverty' online and on Sky News Breakfast.
One of the young creatives, Aisha, give a brave and honest interview alongside film director, Paul Holbrook.
Two young creatives, Staci and Maddison, went on BBC radio Newcastle in the build-up to the film launch.
They spoke from the heart about challenging stereotypes and making sure young people's voices are heard on issues that matter to them.
You can listen to the interview here
And now... Watch the finished film 'Potential, not Poverty'
Want to get involved?
Join our campaign to make sure every child, no matter what situation they’re born into, gets a fair chance to realise their dreams.
Don’t let poverty hold them back.
You can find out more about the campaign and Save the Children UK's work here.
Campaign Timeline
Want to know more about how we developed this campaign? Check out the key moments in our timeline.
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