Angela Proctor film to help homeless Scots kids who deal with stigma daily

Glasgow writer Angela Proctor promotes the film, which seeks to raise awareness about Scotland’s homeless kids, with children from Knightswood Primary.

Children’s author Angela Proctor is so distressed by the record number of homeless kids that she has brought out a film to help them cope with the stigma.

The Glasgow writer, whose books about teenage witch Thumble Tumble and her adventures on Arran repeatedly sell out, has written Arthur’s Christmas Tale for the more than 10,000 children living in temporary accommodation.

She said: “I spend a great deal of time going around Scotland reading my stories at schools, and I can see for myself how austerity is affecting our most vulnerable children.

“I grew up in a council flat in Glasgow, but I did not have to face the constant moving around or the uncertainty that homelessness brings today.

“I have seen first-hand how unsettling it is for the children stuck in this housing crisis, having to move from one temporary home after another. It is unbelievable that, in this day and age, Scotland has over 10,000 children living with that experience every single day.

“I hope my film will give them some hope and comfort and go some way towards lifting the stigma they face.”

The film, which has been made entirely in Scotland, tells the heartwarming story of Arthur, a little pug who melts Jack Frost’s heart at Christmas and gently lifts the lid on the stark reality facing many families, covering rough sleeping and having to constantly move on. It will be shown on STV Player from this weekend to mark World Homelessness Day. Angela said: “I’m absolutely delighted STV will be showing the film.

“It will be a lovely surprise for the three primary schools in Glasgow – Antonines, Knightswood and Highpark – whose children all took part in filming.

“I involved them at every stage in some lovely live action scenes, so they had the thrill of taking part in a movie. I know they are very proud of their efforts and I hope the film will lift the stigma of homelessness which so many children feel.”

The film was made by home grown talent Clubhouse animation studio and production company StrangeWorx. The housing crisis has been blamed for the highest ever number of homeless children, with figures of almost 10,200 in temporary accommodation, the highest ever recorded.

MSPs called for the resignation of Housing Minister Paul McLennan last week as official new figures showed 33,619 households are facing homelessness as the government slashed £22 million from the affordable homes budget.

Scottish Labour’s Housing spokesman, Mark Griffin, accused McLennan of “being responsible” for the emergency.