Without Silence
Many people who go through something hard think they are the only one. Without Silence is a place for stories that are hard to tell but need to be heard. People share them on film, so that taboos break and others feel less alone. Josh Westover started it and makes the films.
Without Silence is an independent storytelling platform based in Sussex, UK, run by documentary filmmaker and presenter Josh Westover. People share their stories about difficult subjects such as trauma, loss, mental health and illness, on film and with their consent, so that others feel less alone. It started when Josh, in a very tough place himself, met people from all over the UK who shared their stories. He then produced a neurodivergent documentary, met people with disabilities, and it has grown into what it is today. Disabled people can share their story for free through Directed By You, and charities, organisations, businesses and individuals can commission films and corporate content from Josh.
To give people a safe place to tell stories that are hard to tell, and to make those films with care and consent, so that others who live through the same thing feel less alone. To make the world less judgemental, raise awareness and inspire others.
A world where fewer people have to carry a hard experience in silence.
A story told honestly by someone who lived it can change how others feel about their own. People who live a story know it best, and they should decide how it is told.
Josh is a documentary filmmaker and presenter in Sussex. He listens first, builds trust before he asks anything, and lets people go at their own pace. Contributors say so themselves:
"He checked in and honoured my boundaries, he listened and validated my pauses, gave me time without rushing me."
Stories travel both ways. Josh hopes his work encourages people to share theirs, and their stories move him and the people who watch.
Without Silence started when Josh was in a very tough place himself. He met people from all over the UK who shared their stories with him. He then produced a neurodivergent documentary, met people with disabilities, and it has grown into what it is today.
Josh lives with non-vocal Tourette’s, ADHD and some other difficulties that he has learnt to navigate.
Josh also makes films and corporate content for charities, organisations, businesses and individuals. See Work with Josh. Josh on IMDb
The first conversation is not about filming. It is about what you want to say, what you do not want to say, and what you need to feel safe.
You sign a declaration before we film. You can pause, skip a question or stop at any time. Read more on our safeguarding page.
Josh edits the film and keeps editorial control, and aims to represent you fairly. You decide what you share before and during filming.
Partners and clients do not decide what is said in a film.
Without Silence is an independent platform and stays that way. In the Netherlands it works with Stichting Écht Anders, a foundation that hosts screenings of our films with a facilitated conversation afterwards, and brings the films into education and research there. The foundation's approach comes from the work of Eefje Gilbert (a força), an equine-assisted trauma and neurodivergence coach. Neither organisation runs the other: Without Silence makes the films and keeps editorial control; the foundation runs the Dutch and European side.
