Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Telly addicts

Related: Film discussion forum.

Original poster

These Four Walls on BBC4 . A more accurate portrayal of life on benefits

20 replies

Snappyteabread · 03/02/2014 16:52

Anyone see this?

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03t4pq8

It was a bleak story. Much more accurate I think than Benefits Street or suchlike. I felt sorry for them all. I felt particularly sorry for the girl with the dyed hair with 2 girls. She was just stuck in a crappy situation. Also the girl that got the bursary for the private school, but then left. Wonder if it was actually the money that became the issue rather than her not fitting in. Who knows. Sad sad stories. Made me feel very lucky with what I have. I remember there was a programme on about young mothers who had very little and it made me want to get in touch with them and give them stuff and information about where to go for help. This made me feel the same way.

Anyone else watch and have views on this?

OP posts:
LetZygonsbeZygons · 03/02/2014 17:02

didn't see it were there peop-le on that with genuine disabilities or were fulltime careres who have no other choice?

Now THATS more an accurate portrayal more like.

Original poster
Snappyteabread · 03/02/2014 21:22

They didn't have disabilities. From what I can remember there was single mum with child at private school on bursary (had to use loan sharks to pay for school uniform and suchlike), single mum with 2 small girls who really wanted to better herself, young couple with 2 small children living in one bedroom flat with mushroom and mould on ceiling (guy had epilepsy and couldn't work I think), another guy out of work, an elderly person.
It was bleak. Shame it was on bbc4 though because hardly anyone will see it. I happened to notice on iplayer, but most won't see it and will continue to have their views tarnished by the Benefits Street type programmes.

OP posts:
Original poster
Snappyteabread · 03/02/2014 21:23

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03t4pq8

OP posts:
thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 03/02/2014 21:46

That poor baby Sad

BigWellyLittleWelly · 03/02/2014 22:20

I watched this earlier this evening and although not one to easily get upset I've been in tears ever since.

Possibly because I have a dd not all that much younger.

Such a bleak subtitle to sum up a beautiful life

Elsiequadrille · 04/02/2014 00:00

A refreshing change from the usual stereotypical rubbish.

But very bleak and harrowing

Elsiequadrille · 04/02/2014 00:15

Goodness! I hadn't watched to the end when I posted. How sad and thought provoking Sad

AveryJessup · 04/02/2014 03:31

This documentary was hard going. It's difficult to believe such poverty exists in a leading nation with a large economy like Britain. The poor little baby that died... so heartbreaking.

Elsiequadrille · 04/02/2014 04:58

And there was the poor woman who couldn't afford a winter coat, or anything beyond the most basic food. She was wearing a jumper with a scarf for outdoors.

sewardy · 04/02/2014 22:31

I have just watched this and am still crying. It is unbelievable this is happening, yet because these people are trying to make the best of their situations they are not being heard and not being helped. My baby girl is not much older than the baby who died - I cannot begin to imagine how her poor mother must feel.

I just really hope this get seen by the arrogant, ignorant, out of touch public school boys running this country and the people who are likely to vote for them - but sadly I fear they won't be interested.

AcaciaBeez · 05/02/2014 20:54

I really wish this program had more publicity rather than the sensationalist Benefits Street

Meglet · 05/02/2014 20:57

^^what acacia just said....

NanaNina · 05/02/2014 22:02

Agree with all the comments.....I felt sorry for all of them. I hadn't realised the girl had left the private school - I have a hearing problem and sometimes miss things - I sort of zone out.......what a shame - I thought she had Oxbridge in mind.

Yes I too wish this programme had been on Channel 4 instead of Benefits Street. These were people who were genuinely struggling and trying to make the best of some very bad situations and there are thousands of others just like them out there, existing on the margins of society, whilst the fat cats like the cabinet members are millionaires and they have the damn cheek to say "we are all in this together" - yeah right!!

NanaNina · 05/02/2014 22:03

Agree with all the comments.....I felt sorry for all of them. I hadn't realised the girl had left the private school - I have a hearing problem and sometimes miss things - I sort of zone out.......what a shame - I thought she had Oxbridge in mind.

Yes I too wish this programme had been on Channel 4 instead of Benefits Street. These were people who were genuinely struggling and trying to make the best of some very bad situations and there are thousands of others just like them out there, existing on the margins of society, whilst the fat cats like the cabinet members are millionaires and they have the damn cheek to say "we are all in this together" - yeah right!!

NanaNina · 05/02/2014 22:03

Sorry didn't mean to post twice!

lottiebobbs · 26/02/2014 16:12

That red haired girl is me, it was done around 2 years ago. It was only showed on the guardian website at first then they aired it this febuary. Cant say we are in a much better situation ither but i have a buisness plan in the works and doing alot of voluntary work now my girls are at school, so fingers crosses in the future i'll get myself out pf no mans land :) xx

RiffyWammal · 26/02/2014 17:13

I'm cross, I've just read this and wanted to watch it and it's not available anymore. Angry

It sounds like the documentary 'Poor Kids' that was on BBC a while back. I was going to say I enjoyed it but that's not the right word.

Original poster
Snappyteabread · 26/02/2014 20:39

Lottiebobs - glad to hear things are potentially looking up for you. How did you feel about the film? Do you think it was an accurate portrayal? What made you wnt to take part in it in the first place? Were you approached or was there an advert somewhere? Sorry for being nosy, but it's always interesting to find out more after the programme.

OP posts:
lottiebobbs · 27/02/2014 15:40

Honestly, i hate it, it maked me cry. But i'm my own worst critic, i think i looked tiered and the house was a mess, the main bit that sticks in my head is talking to the girls over the safety gate asking them to go play, i dont think it makes me look like a good mum at all, but i needed to answer peters questions and it was hard. I was approached by a member of staff that run a womens group i went to, and she was approached by gaurdian films. I took part as i thought i may beat the stereotype of stupid young mum on the dole, which from the feedback it sounds like it did, regardless of my thoughts haha, i did hope it would open up some opertunities for my family, but no, havnt had any follow up since it was done, just a copy of the dvd. Seems everyone wants the opinions and experiences of 'the poor' but dont actually want to do anything about it :( i feel i exposed my life anf my children for nothing xx

lottiebobbs · 27/02/2014 15:48

Apparently they are going to show it again on bbc4 at an earlier time, not looking forward to it myself x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page