Del

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Summary

Del has been in care since she was eleven years old. She was pregnant at 17 and on probation at 18.

Year:

1986

Duration:

0:28:15

Film type:

Colour / Sound

Genre:

Documentary

Company:

Central Television

Master format:

16mm

Description

Del (Adelle) is a young single mother living in the West Midlands (looks like Birmingham but exact locations and Del's full name are not given).

The film is an insight into Del's life, she is featured throughout describing her life, and she also provides much of the voice over which includes examples of her poetry.

Del became pregnant with her daughter, Sarah, aged seventeen. Sarah's father was fifteen years old, although Del didn't know this at the time and he is not part of her life anymore.

Del is seen playing with Sarah, walking with her pushchair and at home in her council flat.

Del had a difficult childhood and was taken into care at the age of eleven. A series of care homes followed but she did not find her feet until she was transferred to St. John's Community School where she did well, achieving three o' levels.

Interview with an unnamed carer about Del's time at the St John's.

Del then moved to an NCH (National Children's Home) hostel called The Croft and dropped out of education becoming involved with drink and drugs. It was here that she fell pregnant by another resident. She is interviewed about this difficult time which also resulted in her being kicked out of The Croft.

Her problems continued when a new partner objected when told that Del's baby would be black.

Del took an overdose. She contacted Mickey Butts, a social worker at the Croft, who she could talk to. Interview with Butts, about Del's overdose. Through Mickey Del was introuduced to the Christian church.

Del is seen attending an unnamed church and on a visit to the country with Mickey Butt (and presumably his family).

Through the church Del became involved with mentors Paul and Vanessa Jarvis and moved into their home. This gave her family support that she hadn't experienced through social services.

Interview with Vanessa Jarvis about the arrangement.

We see Del and Vanessa getting ready for a night out and then at a disco.

After almost a year the Jarvises moved house leaving Del in their council flat.

Her life then took a downward turn when she met a new partner, Paul, who was violent. The NSPCC became involved and Sarah was taken into hospital but allegations of child abuse were later found to be false.

Paul is currently in custody and Del has had her own problems with the law and is on probation for a shop lifting offence.

We last see her being visited by her unnamed probation officer. Del is talking about moving into a hostel for single mothers and has no plans to be reunited with Paul.


Credits

Camera: Julian White
Sound: Dennis Fitch; Robin Ward
Production Assistant: Val Nieberle
Researcher: Jane Ades
Editor: Georgina Read
Producer: David Naden
Executive Producer: Brian Lewis
Director: Marilyn Gaunt


Notes

Production number 7518/86.