Socially Engaged Filmmaking

Video is another way to listen, connect and amplify the voices of people, projects and communities.

For me, filmmaking is about creating space for the stories that matter.

Whether I’m behind the camera at a community event, interviewing someone about their lived experience, or working alongside a group to co-produce a short film, my aim is always the same: to reflect what’s real, and to do it with care.

Below are some examples of my video work, from collaborative documentaries and creative storytelling projects, to short interviews that shine a light on the impact of grassroots initiatives.

Some films are quiet and reflective, others are full of energy and activism – but all of them come from a place of trust and connection.

Each film is rooted in real relationships and a shared desire to make change visible.

Films I've Made

Most of the videos I’ve made are filmed and edited by me, in collaboration with people, places and projects doing important community work. These include creative health projects, social enterprises, and community-led initiatives. I have also supported Public Sector organisations with videos that promote their work.

A short film created with Kirklees College and the Green Change Makers programme, exploring how staff across the college are beginning to think differently about sustainability, climate action, and positive change.

The film captures reflections, ideas, and conversations from staff involved in the programme as they explore what meaningful environmental action can look like within education and everyday practice.

A short film from the opening of Art of Connection – Making Safe Spaces at Amped Cafe as part of Huddersfield Literature Festival. Over the past few months we’ve been working with primary school children and older adults in Huddersfield exploring ideas around safety, belonging and connection through photography, collage, poetry and conversation.

This film captures moments from the exhibition opening, including the artwork, poetry performances, conversations and reflections shared throughout the evening. Huge thanks to everyone who took part and helped make the project possible. Delivered by Our Creative Connection with support from the Mayor of West Yorkshire’s Safer Communities Fund, Kirklees Council and Arts Council England.

This short film brings together moments from a series of Walk Wheel Ride activities in the Holme Valley. Over several weeks we went on a photowalk in Holmfirth, visited Eden’s Forest, and took a train from Denby Dale to Penistone. People took photos of things that mattered to them, things they noticed, and places that made them feel good.

Those photographs were then used to invite thoughts and reflections about the project from those taking part. The film mixes these photos with short interviews from some of the people involved sharing what it meant to them. The project was created with Ability Options and supported by EPIKS as part of the Walk Wheel Ride programme.

I also facilitated a Photovoice project so that people could share their experiences in a creative, visual and accessible way.

This film was created as part of Project CREATE’s Living Lab, where young people explored their experiences and emotions through collage.

The Living Lab provided space to reflect not only on creativity and self-expression, but also on the role of questionnaires in mental health research — what they capture, and what they sometimes miss.

Through art-making, discussion, and filming, the young people shared honest insights into their journeys with Project CREATE. This film brings their reflections together, highlighting the power of creativity in supporting well-being and sparking conversations about how we understand mental health.

Project CREATE is a collaborative initiative bringing together young people, artists, and researchers to explore the impact of the arts on mental health and well-being. This film was made with funding from Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership which is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UKSPF is led by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership is being delivered by the University of Huddersfield in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, acting as Lead Authority for the Funds.

We're really grateful to everyone who took part in the Project CREATE Living Lab, to all of the young people and staff for inviting me to be a part of this and to the Health Innovation Partnership for funding the film.

Ravensthorpe Community Centre: 25 Years of Belonging A short film celebrating 25 years of community, connection and care. This film brings together voices, memories and moments from a two-day celebration event held in March 2025, alongside interviews with staff, volunteers and community members who have helped shape Ravensthorpe Community Centre over the years. From storytelling and shared meals to music, laughter and reflection, this film captures the heart of a community that continues to thrive.

Give A Few Words CIC is all about reducing loneliness and isolation by encouraging people to write letters filled with positivity, encouragement, and hope. This event celebrated the impact of those simple but powerful acts of kindness, recognising the volunteers, partners, and communities who make it possible. In this video you’ll see highlights from the day – the people, the atmosphere, and the difference that sharing words can make.

This short film is about The Foxton Centre in Preston, a place that has been at the heart of the community since 1969. I spent time with staff, volunteers, and community members, listening to their stories and taking photographs.

The film shares their experiences of what The Foxton Centre means to them and captures this moment as the old building is about to be replaced. It’s a record of the people, the place, and the connections that make up this community.

Made in collaboration with Onward Homes.

This short film shares the story of the Growth and Resilience Programme – a pilot project that supported social enterprises, co-ops and other alternative businesses across West Yorkshire. It was created by Co-operatives UK and the School for Social Entrepreneurs as part of the Business for Good West Yorkshire initiative, led by TSL Kirklees and funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The programme took a fresh approach to helping values-led businesses thrive, building on the vision set out by West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin.

This film captures moments from the Bradford School Linking Network’s celebration event, where children and older adults came together to share what they’ve created and learned through linking. There were songs, stories, artwork, and performances — all showing how connections across generations can spark creativity and understanding.

The film is a glimpse of the friendships, fun, and sense of belonging that grew through the project.

As part of my work with Aspire Creating Communities, I created a series of short films capturing the voices of volunteers and community members. These films shine a light on the power of connection, creativity, and care within Aspire’s groups. Through personal reflections, participants share how being part of the community has helped them find purpose, build friendships, and feel valued. It was a privilege to document these stories and witness the impact of Aspire’s work in bringing people together through arts, conversation, and shared experience.

Interviews with the organisers and attendees of Sustainability Gathering at Aaron’s Campsite in Calderdale. The even was an opportunity to grown conversations and connections around the environment and social justice - the beginning of a movement!

Working alongside Dr Nic Stenberg & Hayley German from the University of Huddersfield, we supported learners on a Senior Leader Higher Apprenticeship course to consider their jobs role and organisational culture through photographs. Using the ‘cultural web’ by Johnson & Scholes as the framework for the Photovoice activity - we asked learners to create a photograph that related to their experience of each of the 6 elements of the cultural web’ Learners then created a set of #hashtags relating to each image and a short description of their thoughts / feelings about the photos and what they had intended to convey.

Thoughts and reflections from three of the participants in ‘The Way We Do Things Around Here’ a photovoice project as part of a level 7 apprenticeship course run by Dr Nic Stenberg and Hayley German at the University of Huddersfield

Hive Huddersfield CIC winning the Small Social Enterprise of the Year Award sponsored by Doncaster Refurnish at the Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber (SEYH) Awards 2023.

Supporting Others to Make Films

Alongside making films myself, I also run workshops that support others to tell their stories using video. This might be helping a group co-produce a short documentary, or guiding people to film and edit their own reflections using just a phone.

One example is a weekend workshop I led for Project CREATE where young people were supported by myself and a team of facilitators to make short films about their experiences on the project. You can see more about Project CREATE and their amazing work exploring the impact of art and creativity and mental health and wellbeing HERE.

I absolutely LOVED working on this project and I am so grateful to everyone involved!

If you’re interested in working together, whether it’s commissioning a film, co-creating a story, or running a workshop - feel free to get in touch.