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Charity shows we all deserve a place to call home 

A short film highlighting homelessness in Norwich has been released to the soundtrack of ‘Home is Your Shoulder’ a new single by local songwriter artist Holly Lerski.


The three minute film will raise funds for local charity St Martins as well as awareness of the work that they do. The film features scenes of Norwich, St Martins’ team members and the people supported by the charity. It highlights the importance of having a place to call home and the stability that comes from owning a front door key. The charity's team members feature in the film passing a key to each other. Supporters also feature, including The Very Rev Jane Hedges and her dog.

St Martins was approached by Holly, who offered the song to be used in promotional work, as she wanted it to be used as part of a positive message of support around issues of homelessness, loneliness and mental health.

Holly said, “I wrote this song when I was going through a particularly rough patch in my life. My long term relationship had ended suddenly, and I’d lost all hope.  So I ran away, in a sense, and went on a road trip across America to try to find some answers, writing songs along the way.

‘Home Is Your Shoulder’ came to me the day I visited Alcatraz Island when it hit home how important human touch is.  We all need a shoulder”

Holly’s sister Samantha Elmhurst, who is a freelance illustrator, edited the video.

Samantha said, “In putting this film together, and documenting real lives on real streets, it just slammed home the fact that without such a charity as St Martins, there would actually be no highs or positives to be gained from watching this film. It takes you on a journey through our city highlighting the homeless in a very true and unromantic way.”

I hope that this film will really make people think; how simple a thing it is to have and to hold your own front door key. And just how often we take this for granted.”

It is hoped that the film raises funds for St Martins, who will use all money raised towards providing more accommodation for homeless people in Norwich.

Helen Baldry, Head of Communication for St Martins said, “Homelessness effects all of us, whether we are unfortunate enough to experience it ourselves, or know of friends and family members who are struggling – or even by encountering those who are homeless in our fine and beautiful city.

“The film Holly and Sam have put together highlights the importance of support; we all need someone to lean on and a place to call home. In Norwich, St Martins is here to support homeless people. We have the privilege of helping people get their lives back on track. Giving someone a key of their own and the support they need to flourish is one of the most rewarding things in the world.”

Click here to view the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUhw3sg0sw4&t=11s 

Helen Baldry, 16/12/2020

Helen Baldry
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