Underneath the Arches (documentary)
Encyclopedia
Underneath the Arches is a documentary broadcast on BBC Radio London in 1977. The programme broke tradition by enabling London
’s homeless people to tell their own stories. Underneath the Arches was presented by the homeless people themselves without any links from a programme presenter. Instead, short clips from catchy music hall songs were used to establish each location and, with careful editing, the interviewees related their own experiences and introduced each other.
The programme revealed that people became homeless for a variety of reasons. Some had been victims of poverty
, some had been in prison
and were having difficulty returning to mainstream society; others had been battling unsuccessfully against alcohol abuse
or drug addiction, and some were suffering from mental illness
. The documentary
also highlighted the lack of appropriate services such as hostels, drop-in centres and advice services.
The unique presentation by producer Owen Spencer-Thomas
won the Unda award for the best religious radio programme in 1977. He befriended many of the homeless people who featured in the documentary. Winning their confidence, he visited them as they prepared for another night sleeping rough on London's pavements. The publicity generated by the programme boosted funds for the "Crisis at Christmas" campaign and brought more volunteers to the charity which used a derelict church in Lambeth
to house and feed homeless people during Christmas week each year in the 1970s. Underneath the Arches refers both to the railway arches at Charing Cross
railway station where many homeless people have slept rough, and to the music hall
song "Underneath the Arches
".
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
’s homeless people to tell their own stories. Underneath the Arches was presented by the homeless people themselves without any links from a programme presenter. Instead, short clips from catchy music hall songs were used to establish each location and, with careful editing, the interviewees related their own experiences and introduced each other.
The programme revealed that people became homeless for a variety of reasons. Some had been victims of poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
, some had been in prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
and were having difficulty returning to mainstream society; others had been battling unsuccessfully against alcohol abuse
Alcohol abuse
Alcohol abuse, as described in the DSM-IV, is a psychiatric diagnosis describing the recurring use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences. Alcohol abuse eventually progresses to alcoholism, a condition in which an individual becomes dependent on alcoholic beverages in order to avoid...
or drug addiction, and some were suffering from mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
. The documentary
Radio documentary
A radio documentary or feature is a purely acoustic performance devoted to covering a particular topic in some depth, usually with a mixture of commentary and sound pictures. It is broadcast on radio or published on audio media, such as tape or CD...
also highlighted the lack of appropriate services such as hostels, drop-in centres and advice services.
The unique presentation by producer Owen Spencer-Thomas
Owen Spencer-Thomas
Owen Robert Spencer-Thomas MBE is perhaps best known as a television and radio news journalist over three decades, but he has also undertaken a wide range of philanthropric work as volunteer charity fundraiser, pioneer and campaigner for people with autism and other disabilities...
won the Unda award for the best religious radio programme in 1977. He befriended many of the homeless people who featured in the documentary. Winning their confidence, he visited them as they prepared for another night sleeping rough on London's pavements. The publicity generated by the programme boosted funds for the "Crisis at Christmas" campaign and brought more volunteers to the charity which used a derelict church in Lambeth
Lambeth
Lambeth is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated southeast of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
to house and feed homeless people during Christmas week each year in the 1970s. Underneath the Arches refers both to the railway arches at Charing Cross
Charing Cross railway station
Charing Cross railway station, also known as London Charing Cross, is a central London railway terminus in the City of Westminster, England. It is one of 18 stations managed by Network Rail, and trains serving it are operated by Southeastern...
railway station where many homeless people have slept rough, and to the music hall
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
song "Underneath the Arches
Underneath the Arches (song)
"Underneath the Arches" is a 1931 popular song with words and music by Bud Flanagan, and additional lyrics by Reg Connelly. It was one of the most famous songs of the duo Flanagan and Allen....
".