Photography project to focus on the homeless

Free cameras are being given to homeless people in Brighton and Hove for a Christmas calendar.

THE one-time-use cameras, provided free by Fujifilm UK, will be given to 100 street homeless or people with experience of homelessness.

The project is being run by volunteers who work with the homeless community in the city alongside local members of The Royal Photographic Society.

The initiative is being managed by Lucy Groenewoud, an MA Inclusive Arts Practice student at the University of Brighton, who has worked and volunteered with street homeless in the city for five years.

She said: “The MYBRIGHTON&HOVE project will give individuals who have experience of homelessness the chance to show the world what matters to them and change their narrative through the art of photography. They will be able to share their perspectives and build confidence through photography.”

MYBrighton&Hove is made up of volunteers with backgrounds in photography and working and volunteering with the local homeless community.

Cameras will be handed out on June 29 at the One Church in Gloucester Place, Brighton, and will be collected on July 4. The 20 winning photos will be selected by judges and a public vote, followed by a crowdfunding campaign to pay for the calendars and a launch and exhibition in October at the church and with the Socially Engaged Art Salon at the Black and Minority Ethnic Community Partnership in Fleet Street, Brighton.

The project, being supported by The Royal Photographic Society and the social enterprise café Art which connects people affected by homelessness with the wider community, is based on a similar project in London MYLONDON.

Volunteer photographers taking part will be invited to sell the calendars, with support from local businesses.

Lucy said: “The calendar makes a difference to homeless people by providing employment and training opportunities, it also improves their confidence and social skills as we include the artists in all aspects of the project.

“By working with the homeless or those who have lived experience of homelessness in Brighton and Hove, we aim to create positive community change through artistic process.”

For more information, email: lucy@mybrightonphotoproject.com