Project Background
UR in the Picture
PhotoVoice / United Response
Photos by people with mental health needs in the UK
From October 2008 - August 2009, PhotoVoice ran weekly one-day workshops with three groups of mental health service users. The workshops brought together users of a variety of service providers, all of whom were taught to use the camera as a tool to explore their own lives and to express the things that are important to them to each other, their loved ones and to the wider public.
The work produced is of an incredible quality, and the colourful diversity of subjects chosen by the photographers is in itself a challenge to widespread misconceptions about those with mental health needs. There are powerful messages about the challenges faced by the photographers and their thoughts about the shortfalls and strengths of service provision and policy in the UK.
The work from UR in the Picture has been exhibited in Bognor Regis, the local area for many of the photographers, and will be showcased in a high-profile exhibition in the Bankside Gallery on Southbank, London from 6-12 July 2009. This exhibition will be an opportunity for the photographers to speak out to the public through their work, and have their voices paid attention to by those whose attitudes and perspectives affect their everyday lives, including service providers, policy makers and the general public.
As well as exhibiting the images, PhotoVoice is producing another title in its popular Methodology Series to provide guidelines and best practice for others seeking to use photography when working with mental health service users. For more information contact Matt Daw: matt@photovoice.org