The people behind the pictures: Search begins to find children raised in England’s 1960s slums

A search has begun to find the children and their families featured in iconic
photographs of England's shocking housing conditions in the 1960s.

As part of Shelter's 50th anniversary, the housing and homelessness charity is searching for the people behind the pictures, and urging members of the public to view the photographs to identify family or friends.

The shocking collection of images, taken for the charity in the 1960s by documentary photographer Nick Hedges, depict the lives of families living in cold, damp and often dangerous conditions.

Launching the search, photographer Nick Hedges, said: "It would be wonderful to meet the children I photographed all those years ago and for them to be able to tell their stories. I often wonder what happened to them, if they went on to lead happy and healthy lives.

Shelter would like to hear the stories of the people featured in the photographs - who will now be aged between 50 and 70 – to give them the opportunity to tell their story and revisit the areas they once called home.

"When I was commissioned by Shelter to take these photographs, I never imagined that decades later they would still have such impact. The poverty and terrible conditions I witnessed shocked me to the core. I hope that all these years later, by reconnecting with some of those I photographed, I am able to hear good news of what happened to the families."

Nick Hedges, now in his 70s, was commissioned by Shelter in 1968. He spent three years visiting some of England's poorest and most deprived areas, documenting poor housing conditions and quashing the myth that only people on the streets are homeless.

Shelter's Chief Executive Campbell Robb, said: "These photographs are a sobering piece of history not only for Shelter, but the nation as a whole, and it's important to preserve the stories behind them. They show us how far we've come, but also serve as a reminder that we must do much more for the millions of families still desperate for a safe, secure and affordable home.

"We'd love to hear the stories of the people behind these iconic pictures, to help us mark 50 years of fighting bad housing and homelessness. I'd encourage anyone who recognises themselves, or family members and friends to get in touch and let us know what happened after they were taken."

The search comes ahead of a tour of Nick Hedges' photos around England next year, as part a series of events to mark Shelter at 50. The exhibition will go to Sheffield, Birmingham and Manchester.

If you recognise yourself, or someone else in the images, please email stories@shelter.org.uk, call 020 7505 2032 or visit www.shelter.org.uk/shareyourstory. For a full gallery of images go to http://www.shelterat50.org.uk.