Produced as part of an informal adult education project working with young unemployed people in the West End of Newcastle, a film that presents the problems and experiences that the young unemployed face. Made in collaboration with Swing Bridge Video, the film uses still image, many produced by the participants as part of this project, and interviews with several young men to present their personal views of their situation as well as the effect long-term unemployment has on them as well as...

Produced as part of an informal adult education project working with young unemployed people in the West End of Newcastle, a film that presents the problems and experiences that the young unemployed face. Made in collaboration with Swing Bridge Video, the film uses still image, many produced by the participants as part of this project, and interviews with several young men to present their personal views of their situation as well as the effect long-term unemployment has on them as well as Scotswood as a community. Representative of Northumbria Police are also interviewed about the connection between unemployment and crime. Title: Unemployment in Scotswood Sitting on a wall an, unemployed man is interviewed about being out of work, he doesn’t like it. An Ordinance Survey map of the Scotswood area of Newcastle and a series of still photographs of industrial decline highlighting the areas problem with unemployment, especially youth unemployment, the worst since the 1930s. A second younger man now sits on the wall and is asked about his job prospects and experiences of employment. He talks about the short-term jobs he’s had and problems with his wages. He’s been on government schemes which he liked and worked as a contractor which he also liked but had to leave because of wages issues. He’s just been sacked from his latest position due to his age; he’s just turned eighteen. A series of archival photographs intercut with general views of the Scotswood area used to illustrate the decline in heavy industry in the West End of Newcastle. The younger man again who talks about the lack of job opportunities in the area. More images follow to highlight the lack of investment in local companies that would lead to the problems today; the older man seen at the start is asked about what jobs he’s done since leaving school. He was an apprentice engraver and furniture maker as well as worked on the buses to name a few of the jobs he has had. Now that he’s unemployed all he does is ‘day to day living’. More images showing the decline in the area since the 1970s, with only four companies still operating in the area employing local people. This had led to the growth unemployment and the moving away of a lot of people and the growth in properties and homes becoming empty and vandalised. Returning to the older man, he is asked what he thinks of the houses in Scotswood. He says they are very poor and should either be modernised or pulled down and started again. He talks about why many of the houses are in a poor state; partly the families that live there and party the council. Title: Are you unemployed? Still images of young men mixed with anti-Tory cartoons with the commentator stating that the government should pay the unemployed enough to live on, but this isn’t enough. At an adventure playground in Scotswood a boy comes down a zipwire waving at the camera. Title: Leisure is a waste of time… for the unemployed More still images illustrate the point that when you are out of work you don’t have money to spend on leisure activities and sports such as football become boring. Every day is the same on the dole. Activities are not made cheaper, and people begin to feel forced into taking low paid job of government training schemes or by joining the army. Inside the Scotswood Sports and Social Centre an interview with a young man called Jimmy. He talks about joining the army as a way to learn a trade and to get away from Scotswood and the lack of opportunities. If he had a decent job, he wouldn’t go. He is asked about potentially serving in Northern Ireland and being able to kill. He talks about what you need to join the army and career opportunities within the ranks. Various still images of soldiers are shown with the commentator asking the viewer to consider if the army is right for them. He makes mention of soldiers being used for strike breaking and serving in Northern Ireland. Graffiti on a brick wall relating to a ‘Sham Army’ changes to an interview inside the Scotswood Sports and Social Centre with a male and female police officer from the Northumbria Police. They are asked if there is a connection between unemployment and a rise in crime rate. The male officer agrees with the statement, the female says it’s partly this but also change in society. They are asked about police corruption and police brutality. After the officers have departed an interview with Stephen, another young man, about the officers’ comments. He believes the officers were lying, his experiences of police were very different and more negative. Title: Are you unemployed? Advertising posters for government youth training scheme changes to three women walking past along a main road in Scotswood. The commentator is pessimistic that this scheme will make much difference to young people. Title: What should you do? Over more cartoon images and newspaper clippings the film ends with the commentator saying that it isn’t your own personal fault you are unemployed. You shouldn’t let the media shame you into not claiming those benefits that you are entitled to. He suggests learning more about the area. Two young boys cross a footbridge, changes to a still images showing this scene being filmed on a reel-to-reel video camera. On a page the faces and names of the fifteen young men involved in the production of this film. [NB: The image isn’t detailed enough to read] Title: Thanks to Scotswood Priority Area Team, Recreation Department, Newcastle Adult Education Outreach Project, Life and Social Skills Unit C.A.T., Scotswood Sports and Social Centre, Scotswood Playleaders, Northumbria Police End credit: Edited by College of Art and Technology