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Aiming High Photo Project, Cheshire East (2011)

Location: UK

Keywords: Children, Disability, Young People

Project Background

Funding Partner: Cheshire East Council
Project Manager: Matt Daw
Facilitators: Adam Lee, Tabitha Jussa, Glynis Shaw

In March 2011, PhotoVoice ran digital photography workshops with young disabled people attending activity clubs organised through the Aiming High for Disabled Children 2011 programme. The aim was to provide the young people with tools and skills that would allow them to share what they enjoyed and what they felt could be improved or added in future short break service programmes. Armed with cameras and supported by PhotoVoice facilitators, twelve young people from three different activity clubs in Macclesfield - Active8, SPACE and The Parachute Club - used their cameras to document and explore their experience of short break services.

Aiming High for Disabled Children and CEC logosThe photographs and accompanying captions by the young people were showcased at an event in Middlewich, Cheshire East, on 29th March 2011. The event was attended by service providers, teachers, staff from Cheshire East Council, parents, local press and the Deputy Mayor of Cheshire East. This event was the first stage in a review of the Aiming high for Disabled Children programme, which will feed into decisions about what shape future services for young disabled people in Cheshire East could take. This photography project ensured that the young people who experience these services first hand could feed into this process, and that their first hand experiences will inform the decisions made now and in the future.

Photographs by the young people will be put on permanent display in local authority buildings throughout Cheshire East, so that these young people retain a visible presence in the very places where policies and programmes that directly affect them are created.

“We have really enjoyed working with Photovoice and their skilled team of workshop leaders.  The young people had a fantastic time and were able to express their own views in a very hands on, immediate way.  Not only did we get a chance to see what short breaks worked and what we should concentrate on in future short break design, but everyone had fun doing it too.” Ann Clark, Project Adviser – Aiming High for Disabled Children

Project photo gallery

Project Outputs

A few photos from the Aiming High celebration event on Tuesday 29th March 2011 in Middlewich.

The Deputy Mayor of Cheshire East meets participant Gareth Edwards, who presents him with a copy of his photos.
The Deputy Mayor of Cheshire East meets participant Gareth Edwards, who presents him with a copy of his photos. Photo by Matt Daw

Head of the Aiming High Programme in Cheshire East, Barbara Logan, opens the event.
Head of the Aiming High Programme in Cheshire East, Barbara Logan, opens the event. Photo by Matt Daw

A visitor browses the exhibition of photos by the Aiming High Photo project participants.
A visitor browses the exhibition of photos by the Aiming High Photo project participants. Photo by Matt Daw

PhotoVoice Facilitator Tabitha Jussa speaks about the workshop process.
PhotoVoice Facilitator Tabitha Jussa speaks about the workshop process. Photo by Matt Daw