PILGRIM HEARTS
TRUST
 | Voice to the Voiceless - We are engaged in a nine month long drama, costume, dance, writing and film project with the Reading Women's Centre, researching the lives of women in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. This involves visits and activity with the Wokingham Costume Museum and provides developmental activity and assistance to those participating. Developing confidence and self assertion to enable them to live more rewarding lives is an intended outcome but much fun is had by all and their talent in many creative roles is awakened or revived. |
To see larger pictures click on each picture
| The film project in Bulgaria continues to be delayed even though we now have official permission from the numerous government agencies involved. However the main film has been completed and assembled with all location shots and shots with volunteers and staff being assembled. We are told that the children parents [not all are orphans but the families can not afford to bring them up] will only allow them to appear if their faces are covered. We may have to shelve this project as a result as its not worth going to Bulgaria to film children playing but not showing their faces. Sadly as it was to publicise their needs that will not happen. |
| The school film project at Garth College, Bracknell is now completed with a group of some 12 children participating and gaining much from their engagement in making a film. |
| The
workbook to
accompany the DVD of short films about drug abuse
is available. There
is a workbook for the person doing the course and a leader's workbook for
you with suggested answers, to help you get started. Read more about it
by going to FILM or email pilgrimheart@ntlworld.com |
This makes a perfect project guide for a short course or days activity on the subject of drug abuse for use in youth groups, and schools. It can be used for pick and mix teaching projects or as a course in itself. Written by teachers who have extensive experience with excluded children and teenagers.
| About the Video Film Project in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre which led to the workbook |
We have finished the film project at Yeldall Manor a Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre.
Clip from film in police cell Filming Filming using Fig Rig
The Berkshire Community Foundation and the European Social Fund enabled Pilgrim Hearts to run a film making project with technical assistance from Real Time Videos in order to assist those on rehabilitation to develop their life skills and regain their proper place in society. The project allowed the residents of Yeldall Manor to run, manage and take an active and major role in the production of a video film about their concerns, problems and their coping strategies. They have all made major strides in their walk to freedom.
Filming progressed well and much useful work has been done. They used police cells in order to film obvious aspects and to achieve impact and realism. A couple whose son died as a result of his drug taking were interviewed and described the effects the death had on them all. It is the wish of those who participated in the making of these films that the films will be of use to those engaged in youth groups and schools, anti-drug counselling and for those engaged in assisting ex-drug and alcohol abusers back into worthwhile and productive roles in society.
Shots of the film project in progress
Hear what has been written about this work :-
"Pilgrim Hearts Trust works with marginalised people to help them reach their full potential through the use of the creative arts. The grant of £1,903 funded a creative writing course which was attended voluntarily by residents recovering from substance misuse on their free evening at Yeldhall Manor. Most participants were ex-offenders. The staff did not expect residents to attend because there was football on the television- they were proved wrong! Over the six sessions, the improvement in writing, presentation and communication skills was greater than anticipated. Three of the group delivered their work at a Celebration meeting attended by 100 people; introducing their presentations to an audience."
''I grew from hearing everyone else's poetry and it made me think differently. It helped me working in a group, as I got lots of ideas and
then wrote in my own time.''"Two participants have now started paid work, including one, aged 45, who had never had a job. Global Grants subsequently granted £7,750 to Pilgrim Hearts to fund DVD Production Workshops at Yeldall Manor in association with Real Time Video. The project allows the residents to manage and develop a film about their concerns, problems and coping strategies. Some poetry written during the earlier course was the catalyst for residents to request the video work."