Liverpool Through Our Lens is a unique photography programme delivered in partnership between Community Integrated Care and Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool’s leading photographic arts organisation. The programme has enabled people to enjoy special adapted photography lessons in Liverpool City Centre and at the photography club base, Kensington Neighbourhood Health Centre.
Liverpool & Sefton Health Partnership (LSHP) are proud to have funded the programme and also to have provided space at Kensington Health Neighbourhood Centre for the Photography Groups, supported by colleagues at Community Health Partnerships.
The programme is attended by volunteers from Community Integrated Care's Inclusive Volunteering Programme, each supported by a support worker/ carer to ensure they are best supported for their individual learning or disability needs. With plans for their works to be displayed at public events, including the Word Gymnastics Championship.
With the nurturing support of Sam Batley, the expert tutor from Open Eye, the group have created powerful images that bring to life their views and experiences of Liverpool. Their stunning photographs of the city are being gifted as presents to visiting gymnasts as postcards and have featured in a special exhibition in the World Gymnastics Championships Fan Zone. These talents highlight Liverpool as the cultured, inclusive and beloved city that it truly is. This is Liverpool through their lens.
This project has achieved an incredible impact – encouraging people who access social care to enjoy all that their amazing city offers, and inspiring new passions and skills. With the project set to continue long after the event. John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care said,
“Much more than learning how to use a camera, the project inspires independence, encouraging people to go out and visit their city and share their photography experiences with the group.
Often, you’re not a tourist in your own city. Sometimes we take for granted the amazing places we live in. People we support should go out, be active and have fun in this amazing city that they live in.
This is not a one off experience either – we hope that people we support have discovered this passion and will want to carry this skill on for the rest of their lives. Community Integrated Care exists to support people to live their best life possible – and you can’t live your best life without being part of a community.”
Nuria Rovira Terradas, Assistant Creative Producer at Open Eye Gallery said,
“It’s been great to see the volunteers grow in their confidence as they learn more skills and share their photographs and experiences with other people. Every photograph tells a powerful story, but it’s the stories behind the lens that have the greatest impact.”
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