Amplifying Youth Voice with Northorpe Hall Child & Family Trust Part 1

I often work closely with a host partner, ideally one which has the existing relationships, connections and trust of the community. Some of the organisations I work with a large public sector ones like NHS departments and others are relatively small, informal community groups like Exclusively Inclusive.

No matter the scale of the organisation, the hosting of a participatory photography project is REALLY important! It’s the difference between a successful and meaningful photovoice activity and one which doesn’t quite live up to expectations.

Staff from the host organisation are pro-actively involved in the delivery, helping to create a safe and welcoming environment in which the Photovoice process can take place and where possible, taking part in it themselves.

Everyone involved has the opportunity to learn about the process and understand what's involved and can opt in or out - participation cannot be mandated.

Working with a host partner, I am able to come alongside their staff, volunteers and community members in a way that I hope contributes to their shared goals and when all concerned embrace the Photovoice approach - wonderful things are possible! This project working with Northorpe Hall Child & Family Trust is a case in point.

Working alongside staff and young people involved in the 'Youth Voice' group at Northorpe we explored themes relating to wellbeing, mental health, friendship, family, love & life! It was a wonderful experience and I am so grateful to everyone who took part!

We had some lovely feedback form people taking part, we asked “WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER”?

"I don’t think anything could be better as it helped us to form a strong bond."

"I cant think of anything to be improved but I must say I enjoyed meeting another Star Wars fan"!

"It’s hard to say what could’ve been better, the chance to do it again! Maybe the chance to do a different exhibition with a different focus, but that’s only because I enjoyed it so much."

"It could be better by having more people involved to see their point of view".

"If the project had taken place during a more condensed period of time it could have been even better".

"More of it it! Would be great to use these skills more in our work"

Pictured below are some of the comments people shared about what they liked best ✨

The workshops took place during late summer 2023 but the celebration & exhibition event only just took place on 19th Feb 2024, you can see details of that event HERE. Northorpe are planning to use the photographs and narratives created to frame conversations with the Children and families that they support - all very exciting stuff.

This collaboration with Northorpe Hall was a looooong time in the making, we’d been in conversation for at least 12 months before the timing and conditions were right for it to happen. Now that the project is completed I can honestly say that it was well worth the wait!

Hugely grateful to Dipika Kaushal for the invitation to work alongside staff members Liz, Shaun, Christine who did such a great job of hosting & to the young people from Yourh Voice who embraced the process and engaged brilliantly🙏