Dear John

In November, Church Action on Poverty's 2021 calendar story features film-maker Broden Salmon

• How do we recognise and uphold the dignity, agency, and power of people in poverty?
• How do we ensure people with first-hand insights are heard and heeded?
• How do we bring together all our myriad experiences, skills and resolve, to break free from poverty and build a more compassionate society?

Throughout this year, to help answer some of those questions, we are sharing the stories behind the photos in the calendar that was distributed to our supporters in January. Each month, we focus on one inspirational partner that we are proud to stand alongside in the movement to end poverty. This month, we hear from Broden Salmon. 

Film is a powerful way of accelerating and effecting social change.

Like other artistic forms of storytelling, it can shine a spotlight on unjust systems, and make a compelling and memorable case for change. One person who knows that well is Brody Salmon, a film-maker in North West England who has highlighted many of the social issues in his communities.

New storytellers from forgotten areas

Church Action on Poverty as worked with Brody twice in recent years, supporting his work on the Edgelands film and then again on the Same Boat? film in 2020, during the pandemic. Edgelands was made by the young people involved in the Darwen Gets Hangry campaign, and explores the reality of poverty, hunger and welfare on forgotten estates. Same Boat? was written by Ellis Howard and directed by Brody. It was made as a result of creative workshops run by Church Action on Poverty during summer 2020, and launched during the first Challenge Poverty Week England and Wales.

Brody says: 

“Working with Church Action on Poverty over the years has been both challenging and rewarding as a film-maker. Challenging because of the reality faced by so many in this country, but rewarding because of the effects that we have seen our work have.

“From raising funds to generally raising awareness, it’s a privilege to have been a small part of Church Action on Poverty's journey so far. By shooting my films on location, and with improvised dialogue from street cast actors, we have worked hard together to ensure our approach is always both accessible and meaningful.”

Best wishes,

Liam Purcell
Church Action on Poverty

Photos by Madeleine Penfold