A record 150,000 children are facing homelessness this Christmas. A new space-themed campaign from Shelter, created by Don’t Panic, calls for donations during the winter period underlining that love alone cannot protect children.

At the heart of the campaign is a heartwrenching film features a Dad and daughter roaming an alien planet. The pair search for the planet for the ‘Space Palace’ and as they walk across the Mars-like land they wave as Father Christmas flies past. An alien octopus, voiced by comedian, podcaster and writer Adam Buxton comes over and high-fives the pair. 

All of a sudden the pair are pulled out of their space adventure and back to the real world as shouting starts and an argument between Mum and Dad about their temporary accommodation breaks out. Audiences see that the space world is make-believe, created by Dad as an escape from the harsh reality of temporary accommodation. The Dad then brings his daughter back into the safety of the fantasy world, hiding his stress through play and make-believe to make her feel safe. The film ends with the tagline: ‘Love alone can’t protect a child from homelessness, but your donations could.’

The film titled ‘World of Our Own’ tugs on the heartstrings to show how parents try to protect their children with love,  but nothing can truly help except practical support through donations.

To inform the campaign, Shelter and creative agency partner Don't Panic worked closely with people who have lived experience of temporary accommodation. People whose lived-experiences include living with mould and damp, harsh and crowded living conditions. The team unpicked the devastating emotional impact felt by families going through homelessness.

“The thing that struck me the most when I met parents who lived in temporary accommodation with their children, was how hard they had to work to protect them from the harsh reality of everyday living.” says Rick Dodds, Creative Partner at Don’t Panic London.

He continues: “We heard some incredibly moving stories, and we felt our job was to portray the love and hard work a parent puts in to keep them safe. We want the public to really cherish the relationship between the father and daughter and to see a little bit of their own relationship in the one that’s portrayed on screen. I don't think there’s a parent on the planet who won’t be moved by the look on Dad’s face at the end of the film.”

In making the campaign a number of resources were kindly donated to Shelter. The planet scenes were shot at the Mars Volume studio in Ruislip. The state-of-the-art stage included a virtual production screen, which meant the alien world could be created completely in camera. The special effects, including the alien octopus, Father Christmas and the rocket were added in by post-production house Rascal.

In the midst of the feel good halo of festive season, the campaign is an emotional gut punch exposing the harsh realities that winter can bring for some.

“As a record 150,000 children face the prospect of spending winter stuck homeless in temporary accommodation, this film lays bare the stark and brutal reality that so many families are forced to experience. A grotty hostel or a cramped bedsit, with precious little room to sleep or play, is no home for anyone. Yet, this is where a heart-breaking number of children will be waking up on Christmas morning,” says Polly Neate, Chief Executive at Shelter.

She continues: “Through the winter months, and all year round, Shelter’s expert advisers, across our community services, emergency helpline and online advice services, are doing all they can to support families to find or keep hold of a safe home. We need the public’s help and donations, now more than ever, to help us to be there for thousands of families who need us this winter.”

To donate to Shelter please click here.