Brene Brown made a decision  'to live in the arena' because previously she had 'engineered smallness'. And because we live with a great fear of shame.  As she says 'You have to be vulnerable to be brave'. Show up and be brave. Dare greatly. But there's a caveat: Be warned  - you will know failure. And heartbreak.

Which brings me to These are the Hands that you can read about here -  https://www.evcom.org.uk/news/evcom-and-bfi-collaborate-on-new-film-to-support-the-nhs

These are the Hands, on reflection, was a project which was about stepping into that arena with that attendant fear of failure and the heartbreak that would surely follow. It began with a 'back of an envelope' idea, a 2+2 = 4 moment after I heard one verse of a poem called 'These are the Hands' by poet Michael Rosen read out on Radio 4 in the early part of April. That lightbulb moment just fired me up. With a passion. With a desire I haven't felt for a very long time. It propelled me to 'step into the arena' by pitching the idea to colleagues on the board of EVCOM. Three in particular - Claire Fennelow, Andrew Smith and Sara Cooper listened. Without them it was dead in the water.  I needed their validation. I feared they would disapprove. I feared the shame of their disapproval. I pitched it to Patrick Russell, the Head of Non-fiction film at the BFI. He listened. Without him it was dead in the water. These 4, early on, were the foundations of support I needed to carry this forward. 

There were so many challenges, so many hurdles, so many unexpected moments in the 4 week life of These are the Hands.  I needed a great voice-over artist. I wanted a top actor. Many turned it down or I just couldn't get reach them. I needed Michael Rosen's  (who was gravely ill)  permission and blessing and his agent took an eternity to get a decision and then said we would have to wait.  It's at times like these you fight impotence.  I needed an editor cut this film. My editor was not convinced with the idea. My music choice. The poem. It's at times like these doubts set in. 

There was so much I needed. People, resources and some luck. I needed free music, free images, free production facilities. I need the NHS to give the project it's official backing. I also needed to prove the idea would work. 

I needed a marketing plan. For a long time it was vague. We didn't have one. 

There are many lessons to be learned from the experience but for now the lessons are  -  trust your instincts and trust people.  Step into the arena.

Now I am going to blow some trumpets. Here's some of the feedback since the film was released:

Pete Stephenson, boss of The Edge Picture Company (who was a big supporter and believer) -

'Just wanted to say another huge congratulations on this film Tim. It feels like a real labour of love and I’m sure that it nearly killed you getting it over the line! But it was so worth it and so full of emotion. You should be very proud.' 

Martin Frizell - big wheel at ITV -

'That’s a lovely film, very powerful and timely.'

Jon Snow, Channel 4 news -

'I cried as I watched Michael Rosen's 'These are the Hands' a Fund-raising ad for NHS Charities Together: from @BFI and @evcomur How the NHS has cared for us for 70 yrs.  The most emotional 1 minute 50 second film I have ever seen! DON"T MISS IT - massive!'

Paul Widdowfield, Communications and Marketing Manager, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust -
'It's a great film and a brilliant watch.'

Fahira Mulamehic - RefugeeCouncil.org.uk - Head of the Building Bridges project working with the NHS -

'It is beautiful, can’t imagine anyone not being deeply moved after seeing it.
…..shared it widely, and crying lie a baby….'

These are the Hands press release

EVCOM and the BFI are very excited to unveil a new short film created by EVCOM Board Member and film director, Tim Langford (BBC, Channel 4), to help raise urgent funds for the NHS Charities Together appeal. The film features historic footage of healthcare and the NHS from the BFI National Archive, as well as contemporary footage of NHS staff and volunteers currently on the front lines of Covid-19.

Text CLAP to 70507 to give £5 to donate or donate online here.

Speaking about the film Claire Fennelow, Executive Director at EVCOM said, “EVCOM are absolutely delighted to be involved in this wonderful project to support the NHS Charities Together appeal. The perfect synchronicity of Michael Rosen’s poem ‘These are the Hands’, the BFI’s archive footage of the NHS at work through the ages plus more recent film work directed and produced by EVCOM members, brought together by director Tim Langford has come together to form this short film. We hope that it drives donations to this fantastic cause and continues to raise awareness of the efforts of the many, many workers in the NHS.”

Actor Iain Glen (Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey) reads ‘These Are the Hands’, the famous poem written by Michael Rosen (We’re Going On a Bear Hunt) to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the NHS.

Iain Glen commented, “I’m so happy to be able to support the NHS in any way I can during this exceptionally difficult time. As always, everyone working there is selflessly meeting the challenge. They unite us as a country, and I give them my heartfelt thanks. Please support the NHS if you feel you can.”

The purpose of the film is to promote the NHS Charities Together campaign, to encourage donations to support the brilliant work our NHS staff and volunteers are doing tirelessly to get us through this crisis. The BFI’s footage reminds us that the NHS aren’t just there for us today, they have been there for us since their inception in 1948.

Patrick Russell, BFI National Archive Senior Curator of non-fiction adds, “This archive short beautifully underscores the precious bonds between our past and our present by interweaving the NHS archive preserved by the BFI with superb contemporary work made by EVCOM and selfies taken from NHS staff on the frontline now, to tell a narrative of the generations of an NHS that has always been there for us. This powerful and important film is the latest example of a rich and detailed history of the NHS on film and we are delighted to bring it in to the BFI National Archive.”

The film has been released on a Thursday evening, at the same time as people around the UK will be standing in their gardens and leaning out of windows to clap for our NHS.

Ellie Orton, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together, also said, “This is an incredibly powerful film that underlines just how vital the NHS is to our society. It also clearly shows just how important supporting the frontline staff and volunteers is at the moment and into the future. Our COVID-19 Appeal aims to do just that, and I’m sure this film will help to spread the message about why that’s so important.”

EVCOM and the BFI are proud to be supporting the NHS through this campaign. Text CLAP to 70507 to give £5 to donate or donate online here.

Film Credits:

Words: These Are The Hands by kind permission Michael Rosen and family

Director: Tim Langford

Voice Over: Iain Glen

Film clips take from BFI National Archive / Crown ©, UEA’s East Anglian Film Archive, The Edge Picture Company

With thanks to:

Alamy Ltd, Audio Network, BFI National Archive / COI Crown ©, Harrogate & District NHS FT, Iain Glen, Keith Wright/Mr. Wright TV, Lip Service, Medway NHS FT, Peter Booth/Bootherama Ltd, Quality Control post production, Ricky Barber/Bleach Productions, Ross Smith/Music for the eyes.tv, United Agents, UEA’s East Anglian Film Archive

And the many NHS employees for their pictures.