Geelong’s Power in You Project launches new documentary ‘I Am Enough’

A new documentary produced by a local filmmaker is highlighting how the Power in You Project is helping change lives in our community.

The Power in You Project founder Kane Nuttall and local filmmaker Abi Richardson have produced a documentary showcasing the true impact of lived experience in the justice, addiction and mental health space. Picture: Alison Wynd

A new documentary is showcasing how a Geelong organisation is helping people overcome addiction and mental health challenges.

The Power in You Project’s founder Kane Nuttall has teamed up with Geelong filmmaker Abi Richardson to share how his own story of overcoming addiction led to him establishing the organisation in 2017.

The documentary, I Am Enough, also shares the stories of participants in the program and how their lives are changing for the better.

Mr Nuttall started taking drugs when he was 14 and battled addiction for 12 years, until four months before his 30th birthday.

In May, he will mark 10 years clean.

“For me, I don’t often stop and look back and realise the impact I’ve had on people,” he said.

“I’m always on the next thing and how we can help people more and more.

“It was really powerful and I got emotional watching it.

“It makes me really proud that this is our impact and this will hopefully be my

legacy.”

The Power in You Project uses an combined approach of peer workers with lived experience as well as other support systems to help people change their lives.

“Watching the documentary really showed the impact and value of lived experience

and what it can bring for those trying to escape addiction, mental health and justice

challenges,” said Mr Nuttall.

“It also made me realise that, just as my own mother Jenny details in the film, there are

so many parents out there feeling helpless, not wanting to give up on their child but not

knowing where to turn.

“It really gives our team the drive to continue to do what we’re doing.”

Richardson said it was an honour for the participants to share their stories in the documentary and she was impressed with the impact the organisation was making in the community.

“To have someone say, ‘I wouldn’t be here without Kane’, that’s incredibly powerful,” she said.

Richardson hoped the documentary would open up more conversations within the community.

“There are so many privileged people and I’m one of them but we need to understand that no one is born wanting to be a drug addict or go to jail or be an alcoholic,” she said.

“Trauma happens … and it doesn’t discriminate.”

‘I Am Enough’ will be screened at the Pivotonian Cinema in South Geelong on February 13 at 7.30pm.

For tickets, visit events.humanitix.com/i-am-enough-the-power-in-you-project-story/tickets.

Originally published as Geelong’s Power in You Project launches new documentary ‘I Am Enough’