Louise's story
This short film clip is about real-life experiences of a teenage parent in Hertfordshire. The animation was made at the young mum’s project in Waltham Cross. The group wanted to make a short piece of film each to show people that being a young mother was in-fact, extremely difficult. This is Louise’s story:
Louise fell pregnant at 16 years in the middle of her GCSE’s. She didn’t realise she was pregnant and when she had a scan, she was shocked to find out it was twins. Other girls at school were cruel to her. She met her boyfriend when she was two months pregnant and he supported her until the girls were five months old. Constant lack of sleep and needing to get up for work put the strain on the relationship and he left.
The young mums group wanted to educate young people who may be at risk of having unprotected sex. They wanted to show other young people the true realities of being a teenage parent and the necessary life changes that result from it. The group also wanted other young people to realise that it is important to have a sound understanding of relationships and contraception, and being confident to say no to sexual activities if they are not ready. The message they wanted to get across was for others to have the full facts of becoming a parent and the difficulties and support required before they make that decision.
For more information about the young mum’s project, click here.