television

I am a presenter and director of arts and current affairs documentaries, and an investigative filmmaker, for television programmes such as BBC One's Panorama, Channel 4's Dispatches and ITV's Exposure. I use my own experience as a disabled person to make work which addresses disability. A selection of work.

Locked Away: Our Autism Scandal - Dispatches

Autistic patients trapped in mental health units tell their stories, revealing a system of poor treatment, abuse and long stretches inside with their symptoms only getting worse.

Broke, Britain's Debt Emergency

With Britain in the worst cost of living crisis in decades, Dispatches follows Citizens Advice Bureau debt advisors and three stories of extreme hardship and poverty.

The Truth about Disability Benefits

Channel 4, 2021 - Dispatches
An investigation into a series of deaths, including suicide, by disabled benefits claimants. What impact did government failings have on those who died?

Targeted: The Truth About Disability Hate Crime

BBC2, 2021
A film about the routine aggression and abuse faced by disabled people in today's Britain, from verbal name-calling to violent physical attacks. Featuring a wide range of testimony from survivors.

The Disordered Eye

BBC4, 2020
Disabled artist and film-maker Richard Butchins investigates whether good vision equals great art and looks at modern and historical artists through the lens of their impaired vision.

The Million Pound Disability Payout

BBC2, 2020 - Panorama
Panorama investigates why the DWP has lost so many employment tribunals for disability discrimination.

Dwarfs in Art: A New Perspective

BBC4, 2018
This documentary explores the lives of dwarfs through centuries of representations in art and culture, revealing society's shifting attitudes towards people with dwarfism.

Stitches for Snitches: Witness Intimidation Revealed

Channel 4, 2018
Livvy Haydock explores the dark world of online witness intimidation, meeting those who threaten 'snitches' and the families of witnesses who paid the price for telling the truth in court.

Nursing Homes Undercover

BBC1, 2016 - Panorama
anorama goes undercover in two nursing homes and finds evidence of cruelty and neglect. Reporter Janice Finch booked into the homes as a resident to investigate what was going on.

The Great Benefits Row

Channel 4, 2016 - Dispatches
Former Paralympian Ade Adepitan reports on the row over welfare cuts that has rocked the Government and prompted Iain Duncan Smith to resign as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

NHS Out of Hours Undercover

ITV 2015, - Exposure
Going undercover in a privately run NHS out-of-hours centre, where staff say recent changes aimed at hitting financial targets have adversely affected the service they provide to patients.

True Stories: The Last American Freak Show

More 4, 2009 - True Stories
Richard Butchins takes the road trip of his life when he joins a group of disabled performers who decide to live their lives on their terms. On tour in a 20 year old school bus, travelling 2500 miles across America, the 'freaks' worked their way through the wild west - a carnival of the damned -searching for a home.

selected projects

Locked Away: Our Autism Scandal - Dispatches
View online via the Channel 4 website

Broke: Britain's Debt Emergency (Channel 4, September 2022) – Dispatches
View online via the Channel 4 website

The Truth About Disability Benefits (Channel 4, 2021) – Dispatches

View online via the Channel 4 website

Reviewed by the iNews paper

Targeted: The Truth About Disability Hate Crime (BBC Two, 2021)

View online via BBC iPlayer

The Million Pound Disability Payout (BBC One, 2020) – Panorama

The Disordered Eye (BBC Four, 2020)

Dwarfs In Art: a New Perspective (BBC Four, 2018)

Witness Intimidation Revealed: Stitches for Snitches (Channel 4, 2018) – Dispatches

The Great Benefits Row Dispatches (Channel 4, 2016)

Nursing Homes Undercover (BBC One, 2016) – Panorama

NHS Out of Hours Undercover (ITV, 2015) – Exposure

Britain on the Sick (Channel 4, 2012) – Dispatches

The Last American Freakshow (More4, 2008)

richardbutchins.art

television

selected projects