Photography Project 2021

Community Integrated Care


We're delighted to have sponsored the 2021 Photography Club, with funds going towards professional tuition and the purchase of cameras for some aspiring and talented photographers

A boy holding a camera giving a thumbs up

Community Integrated Care is one of Britain’s largest health and social care charities, providing innovative and bespoke care services to thousands of people every day. This gives people who have support needs, such as learning disabilities, autism, and mental health concerns, the opportunity to discover their potential through personal development projects, specialist mentoring and life changing experiences. Through the £3000 funding provided by Mersten, via the Land & Co Foundation, Community Integrated Care created a photography club, enabling individuals across the charity with an interest in photography to access first-class training, be provided with new digital cameras, and take part in unique volunteering placements at major sporting events.

The photography club means so much to me, and the best thing about it having the opportunity to meet new friends, increase my skills and be a photographer at the Super League Grand Final. Thank you for Mersten for all the support to help make this happen

Kenzie Appleton
Participant

Professional photographer Alun Kirby helped to develop a curriculum and lead online weekly group sessions. The virtual classroom helped participants across the UK to build relationships with peers in a supportive, social environment, sharing their photographs, stories and making lasting friendships in the process. To ensure that people with differing support needs and abilities had the opportunity to develop at their own pace, the club was split into two groups, social and technical.

“We are incredibly proud of the photographers, who are breaking boundaries through our inclusive volunteering programme and photography club. With funding and support from Mersten, we’ve given 20 people the opportunity to discover and fulfil their potential through aspirational experiences, unique volunteering placements and support. By focusing on the talents, passions, and dreams that people have, we can help in changing lives and making a real difference to many communities. Our congratulations go to every photographer, as well as their families and support workers, for their dedication and commitment to this outstanding project and publication

Ben Berry
Inclusive Volunteers Facilitator: Community Integrated Care

The social club engaged people with profound learning disabilities, helping them to discover a life-changing activity that is sensory, stimulating, and accessible. The technical club has helped to progress the talents of photographers beyond a hobby, with participants taking steps towards greater independence, securing long term volunteering roles with professional sports associations.

We're so proud to have been involved with helping to make this fantastic project come to life.
Please enjoy hearing from some of the participants here:

We know property, but

we'd like to know you more.

To learn more about Mersten and our work,

contact our team