I’m extremely passionate about tackling and raising awareness for homelessness. In Manchester, we see a huge amount of rough sleepers and people on the streets, and every year the number rises. I wanted to make a documentary that explored this issue as told by someone who had lived through it. Carl came to me via Shelter and agreed to let me tell his story, giving us a guided tour of Manchester and showing us how he used to live his life.

I felt that this was an important documentary to make, as homelessness is often a subject of which we are desensitised too. People who are street homeless are often suffering from mental health issues, which could be enhanced by drug and alcohol use. Often, a series of uncontrollable events have a domino effect which leads people into becoming homeless (loosing a job, loosing a partner, then loosing a house etc) and it’s this issue which I wanted to raise, showing how easy it is to fall into this situation.

Saved by the Squat is honest and direct about the life the Carl has led. It’s a story of choices, showing where he’s come from to his present reality. It’s a story of honest and optimism, showing that change is possible even in the darkest days of our life.