Created by Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton, Sticks & Shelter is a powerful feature documentary set in Stoke-on-Trent, shining a light on the Macari Centre and the escalating Monkey Dust epidemic devastating the local community.
Ex-Man Utd footballer Lou Macari needs to raise funds for his homeless shelter and asks Micky Donnovan, an addict and ex-professional drummer, to headline a concert – forcing him to put down the bottle and pick up the drumsticks for the first time in over a decade.
At the heart of the story is Micky Donnovan, a recovering addict and former professional drummer whose dream is to teach music to children with learning difficulties. With the encouragement of Lou Macari, Micky faces the ultimate test – staying sober long enough to perform again.
Filmed over five years, the documentary is captured cinéma-vérité style, finishing with a climactic live concert that captures the power of hope, purpose, and friendship.
Lou’s daily struggle to protect his residents from homelessness and addiction mirrors the growing crisis across Britain. Through Micky’s story, the film reveals how second chances can still triumph – even in the darkest of circumstances.
