What does home mean to you? Please share it with us
We want you to take part in our series on housing and homes by sending us a clip of yourself
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We’re looking at the state of housing in the UK and examining ideas of home — what it feels like, where we find it, how it changes over time.
We’d love for you to be involved. We’d like to know:
What does home mean to you?
What do you think of when you hear the word home? Is it a place, a feeling or a person? Maybe you’ve just moved to a new location and feel at home somewhere entirely new. Maybe you’re living far from where you grew up and trying to build something that feels familiar. Or maybe home is a sound, a scent, a family recipe or a shared ritual.
How to take part
Record a short video (less than 60 seconds) of yourself answering the question: “What does home mean to you?”
Tell us your thoughts.
Find detailed guidance on how to record at the bottom of this page.
You can film it on your phone — no need for video skills.
Need examples of what to talk about?
- “Home used to be my mosque community, until we moved and everything changed.”
- “I never felt at home until I got my dog.”
- “Home is my grandmother’s kitchen in Nairobi, even though I haven’t been there in 10 years.”
Send us your video
- Send your video to info@hyphenonline.com with HOUSING VIDEO in the subject line.
Please include your full name, age, social media handles for TikTok, X and Instagram (if you use them), where you live and your phone number (optional) in your email.
By submitting a video you agree to Hyphen publishing or using any part of it on our website or social media channels. We will make every effort to contact you before publishing. We won’t share your contact information outside our newsroom or use it for any other reason than to get in touch with you.
Guidance for recording a video
Set up
- Film yourself talking directly to the camera, and record vertical videos only.
- You can hold your phone in your hand and speak as though you are taking a video call.
- If you want to do something more formal, you can prop your phone up at face level on a surface like a desk or table using books or a tripod.
- Make sure the lens is not obstructed by your fingers or other objects in the frame.
- Keep the camera steady and limit movement.
- Wipe the camera lens before filming.
Lighting
- Whenever possible use natural lighting.
- Avoid bright and direct sunlight. Shaded natural light is best.
- If filming at night, do it near a light source.
- Keep the light in front of you so we can see your face.
Sound
- As much as possible, avoid background noise. Pick a quiet time when you are alone, and ideally, inside to best control background noise.
Other tips
- Press record, wait three seconds and take a breath, then begin speaking.
- Make eye contact with the camera and avoid reading from notes. If you want, you could use an app like Teleprompter instead
- Recording yourself can feel uncomfortable, so take your time.
- When you’re done, wait another three seconds before ending the recording.
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