Summary / objectives

To raise awareness of families being made homeless.

Background

By the early 1960s, homelessness had grown throughout Britain but was not a problem in the public consciousness. Local Authority rules meant husbands were not included as ‘family’ for homeless purposes, so families in trouble were being split with devastating consequences.

Creator / originator

Ken Loach and Jeremy Sandford.

Special characteristics

It was shown as a dramatised TV play on BBC and watched by 12 million people.

Influence / impact

The Times described it as, ‘The most important piece of dramatised documentary ever screened.’ Twenty years later Radio Times readers’ poll voted it the best single television drama and in 2000 the BFI TV 100 poll rated it as the second best British television programme ever made. In 2005 Broadcast Magazine named it as the UK’s most influential TV programme of all time.

Costs

Unknown

Results

In the light of the public reaction to the film, and a publicity campaign that highlighted the plight of the homeless, led by William Shearman and the MP Ian Macleod, the charity Crisis was formed in 1967. By coincidence, Shelter was launched a few days after the first broadcast. St Mungo’s followed in 1969. Local Authority rules changed so that homeless fathers could stay with their wives and children in hostels.

Why do you think this exhibit merits a place on SOFII?:

Cathy Come Home did more than any other single event to turn homelessness into a major social issue and public cause.

Other relevant information

Chris Barraclough is keen to add ‘Cathy Come Home was produced without any thought to incorporating the latest mission statement, 50 pages of brand guidelines, approved wording, tone of voice architecture or any of the other navel-gazing, self-obsessed nonsenses that pre-occupy the marketing departments of so many large charities.’

Featured at SOFII's 'I Wish I'd Thought Of That' event 2014