The idea
A participatory co-produced community photography project – where participants give their first impressions of the city of Preston.
Using photography as a tool to express feelings and opinions of Preston residents, this project aims to raise awareness of the positives and negatives that Preston has to offer. It will capture the views of people's first impressions of the city and how they feel about living in it.
The project is open to everyone new to Preston: refugees, immigrants, students, workers and new visitors to the city.
Findings from the project will be used to inform local decision makers and services on how they could improve experiences for people new to the city.
Participants will be given hands-on help and advice in how to take photographs – and will be guided through several practical sessions where they will learn how to tell their own story.
Participants will build their life skills whilst meeting new people.
What we'll deliver
- Exhibition of photographs
Why it's a great idea
Reduced social isolation, improved social skills and life skills, awareness of voluntary and community opportunities to take their next steps and join other clubs and programmes. Local authority key figures will be informed about how to improve the experiences of refugees and those new to Preston.
Steps to get it done
- Launching project, recruiting participants
- Holding workshops
- Particpants photographing their ideas
- Printing and displaying the images from the project
The project will be structured like this:
1. Intro session: What is co-production? What makes a good story to photograph – is it your story or someone else’s story? Examples of similar projects.
2. Practical session: Photography training and walk.
3. Storyboarding: How to decide what to photograph, develop your idea and prepare to photograph it.
4. Practical session: Participants produce their images for their chosen story.
5. Editing images: How to choose the best images to tell your story.
6. Exhibit and celebrate: Participants’ final projects will be displayed in Preston with a launch party where they can invite guests, including members from local authorities, services and voluntary and community sector organisations.
