Description:Between 1968 and 1972 Nick Hedges made a series of photographs for the national housing charity 'Shelter'. Launched in December 1966 (the same month as Ken Loach's influential television drama 'Cathy Come Home') the charity highlighted the plight of people living in poor housing and exploded the myth that only people living on the streets were homeless. The charity produced reports, advertising campaigns and posters to increase public awareness of the housing crisis. Nick Hedges' photographs were central to this campaign. He photographed slum housing in several major cities, including Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford and London. His photographs document the terrible conditions that faced up to three million people at this time in Britain. Many of his photographs feature children and show an alternative kind of childhood experience.
Image: photograph of mother and four children in a slum bedroom. Taken in Birmingham by Nick Hedges.
Exhibition compiled by Ali Hall.