Photography Project with Gillian Allard

Photographer and teacher Gillian Allard (winner of Sky Arts- Master of photography) created and developed a photography project for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children in Suffolk. 3 young people living and supported by YMCA Trinity Group were keen to take part in the project and so over the past 6 weeks they have embraced this exciting challenge!

The guys that took part in the project started the 6 week journey with little-to-no photography skills and by the end of it, exhibited their work alongside Gillian’s at St Mary Alder Mary church in London as part of an exhibition for Lent. It is astonishing to see how far they have come in such a short space of time, immersing themselves in the project, learning new creative and technical skills and gaining knowledge.

The project has been a fantastic success, it has enabled 5 young people aged 16-18 to explore their creative sides in an exciting, relaxed and holistic way. Many Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children that we support go to college and learn English as a second language but do not get the opportunity to express themselves creatively, this project has enabled them to do this and it has been amazing to see the results and positive change it has made to these young people!

The guys that took part in the project went to London for the opening of the exhibition last Thursday, they chose their best images to exhibit and the results were amazing! The talent was evident and it was brilliant to see what these guys have achieved. As the project was such a success, it is hoped that it will be running again after Easter and these young people will have the chance to act as mentors for the next cohort of young people.