This film is part of Free
Back to the Community
Local authorities trial the Thatcher government’s new ‘care in the community’ initiative.
Overview
A fascinating insight into life for learning disabled people in 1980s Britain, as the long-debated ‘care in the community’ initiative is implemented under the Thatcher government. The case studies here, in Bolton and Aylesbury, are framed in a largely positive light, as local authorities struggle with the legacy of inhumane Victorian institutions. The enjoyment some patients find in their new sense of independence is genuinely moving, yet it’s clear deinstitutionalisation was a slow and fraught process. More troubling are the references to patients as ‘clients’, foreshadowing controversies the policy became increasingly mired in.
This government film is a public record, preserved and presented by the BFI National Archive on behalf of The National Archives, home to more than 1,000 years of British history.
Related
NHS 75 NHS 75
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
NHS England CEO Amanda Pritchard reflects on the impact and legacy of the National Health Service in this short video produced to celebrate 75 years of the NHS.
The NHS75 Glastonbury Festival Celebration The NHS75 Glastonbury Festival Celebration
Short documentary 2023 4 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS at Glastonbury Festival.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Steel Scrap Drives in Bolton, Preston and Liverpool 1952 Steel Scrap Drives in Bolton, Preston and Liverpool 1952
Non-Fiction 1952 12 mins Silent Location: Bolton
Any old iron? The people of the North West contribute to the nationwide collection of scrap metal.
The Lancashire Way The Lancashire Way
Advert 1948 4 mins Location: Nelson
A tribute to Lancashire, land of industry, leisure, sublime landscape - and laundry detergent
English As a Second Language (First and Second Phase Teaching) English As a Second Language (First and Second Phase Teaching)
Training film/TV programme 1973 19 mins Location: Bolton
Innovative teaching techniques for new South Asian pupils learning English in secondary schools
Spare Time Spare Time
Documentary 1939 14 mins Location: Sheffield
A rare glimpse into the leisure pursuits of ordinary people in pre-war Britain.
Hepworth Sculpture Arrives at Bolton Museum Hepworth Sculpture Arrives at Bolton Museum
Amateur film 1970 15 mins Silent Location: Bolton
Art on the move - behind the scenes at Bolton Museum.
Lancashire Hotpot Lancashire Hotpot
Drama 1949 10 mins Location: Bolton
WWII offered new career opportunities for women, but not all men were happy about it…
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.