Our Photovoice Journey
Our Photovoice project began just over a year ago on October 1st 2021. It was our first foray back into the world of face to face get togethers following the restrictions brought about by Covid. We felt an excitement about being back together but a nervousness as we felt out of practice.
This project brought people within the group together to share their stories, experiences and become even better connected and we felt very much that we were on a journey - of self discovery as well as providing an opportunity to give insight into our world.
During the project we produced some powerful photographs representing things we were passionate about and, in some cases, things we didn’t like and wanted to change or influence others to change once they understood our view points.
Looking at each other’s work inspired discussion around such important topics as being labelled, not being listened to, being pushed into doing things we didn’t want to and so on, as well as the importance of friends and relationships and independence.
Many of us actively work on developing self confidence to express our views and helping, supporting, enabling and encouraging others to speak up, speak out and have their say.
We discovered over time, and in our conversations during our Photovoice project, that you can at times be very eloquent, a confident self advocate but then still be marginalised, labelled and excluded in your daily life.
Our Photovoice project provided a perfect opportunity to explore these issues and ultimately “speak out” loudly, using our powerful images to express ourselves.
From my own perspective, I found taking part in this project gave me a wonderful opportunity to see the world around me differently and to carefully consider what matters to me and other people that I care about. Hearing the various experiences people had had over their lives was at times emotional. Photovoice provided an effective way of viewing our lives and experiences and a gentle way to address some difficult subjects. Together the group laughed, cried and supported each other over the months. We certainly created some powerfully thought provoking images that really do make you think.
Our exhibition ‘The World as We See It’ was originally held at the Skipton Town Hall. Visitors to the exhibition commented on the impact of the photographs, we are delighted the exhibition is now touring around North Yorkshire libraries.
We are immensely grateful to North Yorkshire County Council, North Yorkshire Library Service and Craven District Council for their support in enabling us to share our work with a wider audience and to Chris Chinnock, from Our Creative Connection, for being alongside us on our Photovoice journey.
Katie Peacock