| Giving The Homeless A Voice… Through Photography |
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Street Voice is the title of an innovative exhibition involving students from the University of Derby and homeless people in the city. BA (Hons) Creative Expressive Therapies students Jemima Thimbleby, Jessica Stammers and Mary Nugent set residents from two Derby hostels for the homeless – Hartington House and Centenary House – the challenge of taking photographs for a public exhibition. Street Voice Homeless Project:
The photographs capture the emotions and feelings of homeless people and offer a moving experience of life from their perspective. The initiative was in aid of a voluntary community art project which will culminate in a display of the top photographs at the University’s Britannia Mill site , on Friday, February 27 from 5pm. Centenary House resident Scott Poole, 25, was homeless for seven months in Derby before moving to the hostel six months ago. His relationship with his partner had deteriorated and he turned to drugs while on the street but things are now improving and he is looking forward to the future with renewed confidence. One of his best photographs shows him pictured with one of his friends, made on the street, Stuart. He said: “It was great to get involved with this project as it was something different. I was able to express myself through photographs and it had a positive effect on me. I have already spoken to others about the idea of my taking up photography as a pastime in the future.” Centenary House is managed by the English Churches Housing Group and its Property Manager Laura Simpson said: “It was a brilliant idea. The students completely understood the client group and engaged with them in such a way that everyone got so much from the activity.” Jemima, Mary and Jessica are second year students on the Derby degree course and came up with the idea as an extra-curricular activity to promote photography therapy in the community. |