A SERIES of films which show the impact of the Welfare State on the North-East’s social development over the last century will be available to view as part of a touring programme of screenings.

The North-East Film Archive has joined forces with Dr. Ben Lamb to launch 'Rewinding the Welfare State', which is part of the Archive’s current North East on Film project.

The event comes to Stockton Library on Thursday, October 3 and The Curve Lecture Theatre, Teesside University, on Sunday, October 13.

Rewinding The Welfare State features local news reports and television documentaries, trade union campaigns and community-made films.

The Northern Echo:

Dr. Lamb, of Teesside University’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, said: “Many of these films haven’t been seen since they were first made and are part of the extensive collections at North East Film Archive.

"By reliving the courageous character of north east communities, audiences at the screenings in the tour will experience how grassroots initiatives designed to challenge national inequality have improved the wellbeing of many people.”

As part of the screenings, the audience will be invited to share their own thoughts as the journey ‘from cradle to grave’ is explored, and hear how access to healthcare, housing, education, social security and pensions has changed over the years.

The Northern Echo:

Dr. Lamb added: “We will look at life before the welfare state, turning the clock back to the Jarrow Crusade as well as considering its legacy and the people who took part in the original march.

"Memories will be shared of bringing up children in the 1940s and experiences of having children in the post-war period.

"The educational opportunities and training that has been made available to young people will be explored, along with developments in housing, from slum clearance and life on the ‘wrong side of the tracks’, to high rise living.”

Other areas that will be highlighted include industrial development, welfare benefits and the prejudice experienced by people ‘on the dole’.

The Northern Echo:

Julie Ballands, Delivery Manager of the Archive’s North East On Film project said: “Teaming up with Ben is an incredible opportunity for the Archive to dig deeper into the material we preserve in our vaults and to present these films in a new and exciting way.

"The films we have selected tell the story of the north east over the last 100 years and it will be brilliant to explore this history with our audiences over the next few months.”

Dr. Lamb’s research looks at the representations of marginalised communities within the media, wider culture, and the arts, with the aim of helping to improve social integration policy.

Rewinding The Welfare State is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Teesside University.

For more information, or to book a place, please contact Stockton Reference Library on 01642 528079 or email reference.library@stockton.gov.uk

For the Middlesbrough showing, visit tees.ac.uk/sections/whats_on