How Mindful Photography Can Improve Mental Health
Over the last year (both pre and post covid!) Ruth Davey has been running mindful photography courses across Gloucestershire to improve the mental health of the participants. This mindful approach to photography uses a blend of photography, mindfulness and being in nature to slow down, reduce stress and relieve anxiety and depression.
The project was awarded a grant by the Bupa Foundation with support in kind offered by Gloucester Cathedral and Llanthony Secunda Priory and delivered by Look Again and the University of Gloucestershire with support from Create Gloucestershire.
Participants were referred to the project by The Nelson Trust, Headway Gloucestershire, Maggie's Cheltenham and Longfield Community Hospice; charities that work with and support individuals and their families through physical and mental illness, or provide end of life care.
Whether run in real life or online the sessions provided participants with creative, simple and fun tools for improving mental health whilst producing their own powerful photographs. Participants learned to see their lives from a new perspective, whilst building confidence and self-esteem, learning new skills and building connections with new people.
The courses culminated in an online show in November 2020 which partners and participants invited along to share their experience of the project. Some of the participant talked through their work and how the process had affected them. The stories were incredibly moving and a testament to this type of intervention. The photos and stories of 28 people are now in an online exhibition which will eb available until November 2021.
See the exhibition here www.seewithfresheyes.co.uk and for more information about Ruth’s work here : www.look-again.org
Plus, starting on 5 February 2021 is the next 4-week Intro to Mindful Photography for individuals, practitioners and mental health and wellbeing professionals, which you can find more information about here : eventbrite.com. You can find more courses via her EventBrite page or through the Look Again website.