Reducing Social Isolation – Mindful Photography UK

17th January 202420th March 2024

What’s on in 2024

Hello fellow Mindful Photographers. We’re so excited to start work this year and reconnect with participants old and new.

Sessions with Carers Plus Yorkshire 8 April and 8 May 2024 at The Street Scarborough.
Booking info below

We are really lucky to receive funding from See Change and be able to run sessions with Carers Plus Yorkshire –

Bookings via 01723 850155 or

https://www.carersplus.net/news/events/195/mindful-photography-in-scarborough-10-0-8-apr-2024

https://www.carersplus.net/news/events/195/mindful-photography-in-scarborough-10-0-8-may-2024

Or email admin@carersplus.net or search their website for more details.

Exhibition of Mindful Photography, Easingwold Community Library, Market Place, Easingwold.

8th March 2024 6:30-8pm – reserve your place now.

We are preparing for two exciting exhibitions, firstly our Bright Sparks Exhibition of Mindful Photography work at Easingwold Community Library 8th March 2024. This is an interim exhibition of the work created by the Easingwold participants since they first met in July 2023. Please let us know if you plan to attend so that we can ensure we have enough light refreshments to go round. If you cannot make our Friday opening night, the exhibition will be in the library for the remainder of March and April 2024 email Rebecca rebecca@mindfulphotography.org.uk for a place.

Exhibition of Mindful Photography York Explore Library, Museum Street, York

Saturday 9 March 2024 10am – 3pm

We are delighted to be part of York International Women’s Week, 2-10 March. YIWW2024 offer around 50 mostly free events for the local community, from talks to crafting, from wellness workshops to exhibitions, from poetry and music performances to clothes swaps and friendship events. Do check out the full programme on www.yorkwomen.org.uk. Come and meet Mindful Photography UK and see our large images showcasing the work of our Women’s Group who are part of Our City Hub on 9 March 2024 10am – 3pm.

Thank you to North Yorkshire Council for providing some extra funding to allow the Easingwold workshops to continue to May 2024 we are so grateful! If you would like to be part of this continuation please email Rebecca for more details. We also have a small number of 1:1 Mindful Photography sessions available for people living in YO61.

Mindful Photography sessions with York Army Museum.

This month we are working with the York Army Museum, Tower Street, York. We have moved online and each Wednesday set a new prompt. This week we are exploring the benefits of nature and what this means to us.

Mindful Photography UK are very proud to be working alongside Dr Neil Gibson, https://www.rgu.ac.uk/news/news-2022/4784-rgu-launches-therapeutic-photography-course-which-helped-covid-bereaved-group Senior Lecturer in Therapeutic Photography of Robert Gordon University and Megan Ribbens, Child Life Specialist and Therapeutic Photography Facilitator, South Africa, to demonstrate the impact of our work in communities, we cannot wait to share more about this over the coming months.

Wellbeing in the workplace

We are developing our work in bringing Mindful Photography sessions to work places. Our recent work at IDAS was really well received and we have since had enquiries to develop these sessions with our other large organisations. If your staff would welcome even as little as 90 minutes out their working week to experience a Mindful Photography session drop us an email at rebecca@mindfulphotography.org.uk

Finally we are so excited to attend the Scarborough Whitby Ryedale Community Mental Transformation Health Event at Scarborough Rugby Club, Scalby YO13 0NL on 20th February 2024. We will be there 1-3pm celebrating the outcomes we achieved last year working with Kick Rexi Out, Age UK, Social Prescribers, Women’s Institute, Next Steps and Foundation.

If you would like to find out about more sessions in North Yorkshire please contact us at Rebecca@mindfulphotography.org.uk or click here workshops and links

2nd November 202318th November 2023

Mindful Photography UK during October

“I learned to open my mind to new things, I got great motivation to look and observe the everyday objects and sights and surroundings I feel totally at ease and very supported”

It’s been so invigorating running the October groups, we’ve delivered at, Scampston Hall, Age UK, York Mind, Our City Hub and the York Army Museum. Our free Facebook based Mindful Photography Project is now beyond 200 members and attracting more and more people who want to slow down and take notice of their surroundings.

Before we share what we’ve been doing have you ever appreciated the beauty of komorebi?

This time of year is an absolute favourite for Mindful Photographers, the sunlight is low and if we’re lucky we can capture those magical images where the sunlight shines through the leaves in the most inviting way. The Japanese call this KOMOREBI a word for which there is no real English synonym which surely makes it even more enchanting?

We’ve just finished delivering on our (Community Mental Health Transformation Fund) Ryedale project. We delivered 16 mindful photography sessions across Ryedale working with partners at Next Steps in Norton, Kirbymoorside, Age UK, Eating Disorder Support Organisation Kick Rexi Out, the Anchorage (NHS) Whitby and the Women’s Institute.

The feedback and outcomes were astounding

“Photography has opened up a new world! And gets me into a happy place”

Session at Scampston Hall image by Mindful Photography UK

“Have I have learnt something today?? …something!!! Photo…and single take…slow down and LOOK!”

The Kick Rexi Out mascots enjoying some nature therapy

“I so needed today, thank you”

“ A lovely calming group activity, at the end of the session I am in good spirits. I got encouraged to be more active, a friendly group which I felt part of.”

“Having a new group of people to talk with and share things with helps my mood”

We’ve started back working with York Mind again and completed two sessions. We used our first two sessions to build confidence and get used to the format of a Mindful Photography UK session… we do a lot of walking! We loved exploring the York Bid Ghosts and opening our minds to creativity and curiosity.

“York Bid” Ghosts Museum Gardens image by Mindful Photography UK

We start back with York Mind for another four sessions up to Christmas on 20 November 10am to 12 midday if you’d like a place you must register first with activities@yorkmind.org.uk

We have opened up the bookings for the Rowntree Heritage and Photography Walk which starts on 30 November 2023 10am please email for further details and we will make sure you are enrolled correctly at

Rebecca@MindfulPhotography.org.uk

We have lots more to share with you but meanwhile we’ll leave you with a short video made by one the participants on the Easingwold Saturday sessions if you’d like a “pay as you feel” place please contact Rebecca@MindfulPhotography.org.uk for a place (there are some 1:1 classes available to people who are feeling nervous to attend a group setting straight away)

Video by participant Sophie on the monthly Easingwold meet-ups

Finally don’t miss this opportunity in December to join Rebecca as part of the Cavca Waste Not Want Not Project

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beginners-photography-class-to-help-with-maths-tickets-753097624267?

29th September 20239th November 2023

What’s on…..

Just looking ….at the Dent Village Museum and Heritage Centre

Mindful Photography UK are a community interest company; that means we are a limited company which exists primarily to benefit a community or social purpose. We are made up four Directors; Ian, Christine, Mike and myself, Rebecca.

Recent exhibition at York Explore celebrating women and their collective Mindful Photography experience

We have decided that we would like to work with local communities, predominately, but not limited to North Yorkshire and we would like to reach out to people who are navigating the criminal justice system, survivors of domestic abuse unpaid carers, armed service personnel and their families and people who are experiencing mental health difficulties.

Our work is increasing at a fast pace and over the last few weeks we have delivered to a large number of people in our local area; probation charities, mental health resource centres, community hubs and marginalised communities within the city of York.

This participant loved the “ looking” he also enjoyed showing the others how to try different cameras

You can try mindful photography on different devices

The photograph below was taken by one participant who wanted to illustrate how it felt to feel unconnected within his community. He was able to share this image with us with sparked conversation around how we feel when we are unconnected.

This image formed part of a discussion group which fed into an article which I wrote for the John Muir Trust last month about human connection and self-esteem. You can read more here.

Permission granted from participant 2023.

After people have taken part in Mindful Photography UK projects they are invited into the Mindful Photography Project online; this offers the opportunity to stay connected and continue to share images with a monthly theme.

Taken during an indoor wet weather session!

We have a number of Mindful Photography UK events coming up in the future and you can register your interest by clicking here https://linktr.ee/MindfulPhotographyUK?fbclid=PAAaazU8tD3vha5ads6lY102wnddTG_oQ-nUsBiOgx3pJHsYypeVDaFOPsIQA_aem_AZvX6UTvDMu-cZPlnKlsN5l3nI_Z9oAasAF4G9xN-y8UAv2MHi4MsYuV7A5iNGPdPBs or via emailing Rebecca

Full workshop or event schedule until December 31st 2023

October 2nd listen to Mindful Photography UK on BBC Radio York 11am

October 7th Mindful Photography Session. Easingwold Galtres Centre 10-11am Register interest via Rebecca (pay as you feel)

October 9th 10-1300 Mindful Photography Session. Age UK Coast and Moor, Aberdeen Walk, Scarborough enquiries@ageuknycm.org.uk

October 16th 10-1300 Mindful Photography Session. Age UK Coast and Moor, Aberdeen Walk, Scarborough enquiries@ageuknycm.org.uk

October 18th 10-12 Mindful Photography Session. Jazz Court, Eastfield, Scarborough contact Tracey 01723 330168

October 18th 1300 – 1600 Mindful Photography Session. The Bothies, Scampston Walled Garden. For friends or families who are supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. Email Rebecca for a place.

October 23rd, 30th Mindful Photography Sessions. 10-12 York Mind contact activities@yorkmind.org.uk

October 25th 10-12 Mindful Photography Session. Jazz Court, Eastfield, Scarborough contact Tracey 01723 330168

November 4th Mindful Photography Session. Easingwold Galtres Centre 10-11am Register interest via Rebecca (pay as you feel)

November 6th Mindful Photography Session. Harrogate Mind 1300 – 1500 contact 01423 503335

November 7th Mindful Photography Session. 1030 – 1230 The Orb Community Enterprise, Knaresborough contact 01423 202028

November 14th 1030-1230 Mindful Photography Session. The Orb Community Enterprise, Knaresborough contact 01423 202028

November 15th Speaking at IDAS Staff Conference and two Mindful Photography Sessions (Closed event)

November 20th, 27th 1000-1200 Mindful Photography Sessions. York Mind see above

November 30th 1000-1200 Rowntree Photography Walk including unique digital Rowntree App promotion, nature and Mindful Photography Session contact Rebecca to register

Enjoying an autumnal walk and discussion with participants

December 2nd 1000-1100am Mindful Photography Session. Easingwold Galtres Centre Register interest via Rebecca (pay as you feel)

December 4th, 11th 1000-1200 Mindful Photography Session. York Mind see above

December 5th 10:30-13:30

Photography for well-being, The Street, Scarborough

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beginners-photography-class-to-help-with-maths-tickets-753097624267?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwAR1Qm6MLpQCIcqk4TKVHyDbBLnEMctNNfSZj2_bbE-ROfqRZs3q8CvZmk5c_aem_AT-lQx978_II9DXc1xX4gz4sCHB9WSHmu_rHG0_GheoaUWSJ-6dpWcLmh2dR2ZBgyNQ

December 6th

Harrogate Mind contact 01423 503335

You’ve opened up a whole world of mindful photography to me – thank you – participant Sept 2023

23rd April 202323rd April 2023

First International Therapeutic Photography Student Symposium 28 April 2023

On Friday I take part in the first International student symposium hosted by Robert Gordon University Course Leader Dr Neil Gibson; an online event which will be introduced by the renowned expert and early pioneer of Therapeutic Photography Judy Weiser.

Presentations will be offered by myself and other qualifying students from the Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Photography course. These will explore key themes which emerged from our learning and we will highlight opportunities where we have applied these techniques in our own practices.

The last time I looked there were only 7 tickets left but keep an eye out in case there are any cancellations.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/international-therapeutic-photography-symposium-tickets-507718538817

Presenters include –

Rebecca Rowan – England
Jean-Philippe Gauvrit – France
Fi Tunnicliff – New Zealand
Alison Beaumont – Canada
Megan Ribbens – South Africa
Diana Nazareth – Canada
Adrian Flint – Thailand
Caron Toshiko – Indonesia
Maria Chalari – Greece
Ivana Dostálová – Czech Republic

I will be introducing work which I have undertaken whilst working with learners at York Mind as well as with Annabelle, a survivor of domestic abuse. All of these students still continue to use therapeutic photography techniques to help support themselves and I cannot wait to share their images and outcomes on the evening.

“The most profound difference the sessions had for me was that in such a short space of time when I would go on my daily walks I actually saw and felt my surroundings as I stopped to take pictures”, Annabelle.

Image taken by Annabelle, 2022

8th April 202312th April 2023

Mindful Photography at Directions in York

I’m really enjoying the work that Mindful Photography UK CIC are doing at Directions; part of Inspire North – a place where everyone matters and the focus is on building brighter futures for people.

This work is funded by North Yorkshire Sport Together Fund and is aimed at tackling inequalities in physical activity in North Yorkshire.

Mindful Photography does just that it encourages people to get together and share their love of the visual image and the storytelling that comes out of that – and, before you know it we have walked three or four miles together and appreciated what is on our doorstep! People in the group say they’d feel silly going out taking photos alone but in a group it feels safe.

These sessions are for participants who would like to take positive steps and support their own mental health.

Having spoken to the group they are telling me that they find the sessions calming and are enjoying the process.

We are only half way through our pilot project but already, through demand we are creating an interim exhibition on 17th April for family, friends, funders and supporters.

Thank you so much to Directions, Barley Hall, Everyman Cinema and The Bar Convent Museum who have been so welcoming.

I can’t wait to share the images from the day but meanwhile here is a sneak preview of what to expect

6th April 202312th April 2023

Outcomes from a session in Kirbymoorside

I was lucky enough to deliver some Mindful Photography technique to participants attending Next Steps Mental Health Resource Centre last week.

This session was funded by the Community Mental Health Transformation Small Grants fund to support people experiencing mental health difficulty in Ryedale.

I attended the regular walk and had the opportunity to talk with the eighteen people who had attended.

We began with a short talk about what mindful photography is and the associated benefits to health and then we explored the task which was to look carefully for natural lines we saw in the landscape.

I spoke with one man who had a visual impairment, he told me he loved listening out for the water, the footsteps, cows calling to each other and the sheep. He could hear people talking and speaking excitedly about their photographs and it made him feel calm too.

James and Pete have submitted some images to share with you from the morning.

James looked for lines in the paths, tree lines and the brook

I am pleased to say that the funding will continue and in July I will be back to Norton to deliver more sessions. For more information please email rebecca@mindfulphotography.org.uk or ring 07709325823

“I’m definitely going to continue this can we do some more please ! “

29th March 202320th September 2023

Mindful Photography project in Easingwold to support wellbeing.

I’m really pleased to share that due to funding from Bright Sparks ( Community Mental Health Transformation Fund ) from September 2023 – March 2024 we will be delivering a Mindful Photography Project in the Easingwold area.

Who is this project for?

The sessions are open to anyone over the age of 18 in the Easingwold or surrounding area. All you need is something to take an image on; a smartphone, tablet or camera.

The sessions will consist of a short photographic walk around the town and end with an optional hot drink.

Cost

We don’t want finances to be a barrier to sessions.

Monthly tickets are ‘pay what you can afford,’ with a suggested donation of £3:50 or £5.00 per session.

Free tickets are available for those who would otherwise be unable to attend.

The project will consist of seven monthly walks and continue in a private online sharing forum between meetings.

Some quotes from previous projects in North Yorkshire:

I’ve really enjoyed it – it’s been a really good experience. I would do it again in my own time.

I feel fresh and rested, I feel connected with other people, I have learnt new things, I feel determined.
February 2023

It gets me out – I wouldn’t normally go out – sitting in a group is a lot for me – taking part and sharing gives me understanding of other people

March 2023

To register your interest click below and we will be in touch. There will be the opportunity to speak first on the phone / via email to see if the project is right for you.

https://linktr.ee/MindfulPhotographyUK?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=618b2c3c-b4c4-4ba6-8324-1b3370fa05ae

31st December 202212th April 2023

Amazing outcomes from the recent group at York Mind.

On the last day of 2022 I’d love to share the work from the York Mind Mindful Photography group.

At Mindful Photography UK I ran two back to back 6 week workshops.

After six weeks the group, who met weekly were presenting their own mini sessions within the workshop. One member even taught at another Mindful Photography UK session at The Recycle Project in York.

Happy New Year everyone ❤️

Click here to see their final video https://www.canva.com/design/DAFVIe-9xTk/PVxcTM7CHfPSsqMXSScqhQ/watch?utm_content=DAFVIe-9xTk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink

I’m running lots of new workshops next year click here for events at the Recycle Project – Scampston Hall – and much more ❤️

https://linktr.ee/MindfulPhotographyUK?fbclid=PAAaYcm47_Jo9RwDTGft8ZLYu9ygxUcxw23VbICqBar0ox01YdZ3PzkUkqxk4

#YorkCreatives

#mindfulphotography

#photographyforwellbeing

#mindfulphotographyuk

#greensocialprescribing

17th December 202212th April 2023

Mindful Photography UK at the Recycle Project CIC

Last week I was joined by more participants who wanted to experience Mindful Photography in a totally unique setting; the Recycle Project CIC, Hazel Court, York where an astounding 240 tonnes are saved from landfill each year!

Images were taken by participants during the project

This 3 hour workshop looked at some simple techniques to enhance visual literacy before exploring the warehouse.

The surroundings allowed us to explore stories together in a safe environment. Mindful Photography is part of a wider process called Therapeutic Photography where the main outcomes relate to enhancing self esteem; we were able to explore our own narratives through focussing on the objects we discovered.

I am there again for the final workshop next February, spaces are limited so get your ticket here!

19th November 202212th April 2023

Only a couple of places left…

I’m so excited to be working with the Recycle Project CIC ♻️ in York.

Join our unique project linking Mindful Photography and environmental sustainability

We were connected by York CVS who thought we were well placed to work together.

There’s only a couple of places left, come and join us this coming Tuesday at 10am ~ midday.

The Recycle project CIC have a fantastic ethos which you can read here –

“At The Recycle Project, our mission is to turn waste into a positive, and recycle as many goods as possible.

We travel across North Yorkshire, recovering all kinds of goods and offer them back to the community in many ways.

Saving the planet and helping the community is our commitment, and we can always use extra support.”

We have the opportunity to take small portable items from the shop floor and bring them back to the workshop to photograph. Come and learn some mindful photography techniques and see how we can enhance our story telling using these items.

Tickets only £5.98

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mindful-photography-at-the-recycle-project-cic-tickets-451769814677