‘The Walk of Life’ (2021) is a short film that was co-produced by Phoebe, Billie, Abdullah and A with the support of Life Experience (Phil Pearce, Rachel Cannon and Kerri Jefferis). It follows Raia and her side kick Timmy the Octopus as they try to reach nirvana after running into a series of dead ends, stoppages and doors they do not want to reenter.

 

The film combines live action, stop motion animation and green screen technology and the concept was developed through weekly creative hangouts that spanned poetry, drawing, animation, story development and chats. The project was produced online in the height of the 2021 winter lockdown in the UK (Jan-March) and the initiative aimed to affirm, expand and platform the artwork and voice of young people (16-25 y.o.) who have lived experiences of accessing services.

 

The initiative was commissioned and made possible by West Yorkshire Finding Independence (WYFI) and Humankind Charity. West Yorkshire Finding Independence (WY-FI) is part of the Fulfilling Lives Programme - supporting people with multiple needs which is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Special thanks to: Malik House Business Centre (Armley), Sophie Decamilli, (Barca Leeds), Emily, Paige and Catherine (Leeds Youth Justice Service), Nicola Swales (Child Bereavement UK).

 

It stars: Rachel Cannon as Raia, Timmy the Octopus as Timmy the Octopus, Sound in order: ‘Stumbling’ by Rachel Cannon and ‘Generation X’ by Punk Rock Opera. ‘Bad Terrain,’ ‘Home Invasion,’ ‘Destroyer,’ and ‘Counter Attack’ all by Shaolin Dub. A poem written by Billie and read by A. Raia cam: Rachel Cannon. Drone: Phil Pearce. Edit: Kerri Jefferis Digital animations: Pixabay. All other drawings, animations, characters and concepts were developed by the group.

 

The artwork supports WYFI's participatory research and programmes which seek to effect policy and practice whilst supporting those with multiple needs. It will be launched with their new report 'Closing the Revolving Door: preventing a new generation of people experiencing multiple disadvantage and exclusion,' March 2021.