Nick Hedges: Home In The Shadows (2025)

Post-war, families across the UK were left abandoned, living in poor-quality social housing across the city, originally built in the Victorian era for factory workers. Although these houses were condemned for demolition in the ‘30s, families were still trapped living in slum-like conditions up until the ‘70s due to a lack of newly built social housing. Some were left waiting for 2 or 3 years to move whilst building was in progress.

There was a lack of societal awareness that communities had to live like this in such poor conditions, but Nick Hedges didn’t let them go unnoticed. In 1967, the photographer was commissioned by the charity Shelter to document and uncover the shocking realities of living conditions for working-class families in cities across the UK. His impactful photos raised awareness and sparked important conversations about the right to decent quality housing.

This retrospective documentary, commissioned by the National Trust and Flatpack Festival, shines a light on the man behind the lens, whose eye-opening works sparked a catalyst for change.

Unfortunately, Nick passed away not long after the release of this film. There was an obituary written about his life in the Guardian by Greg Whitmore.

1x 17 Min Documentary, 1x 90 Sec Social Edit 

Credit

Contributor - Nick Hedges

Director / DP / Editor - Dan Watts

Drone Op - Dan Watts

Producer - Isobel Grove

Producer - Ian Francis

Client: National Trust

Special Thanks - National Trust Back to Backs, Flatpack Festival, Library of Birmingham, Tony Palmer.