Is being ‘in the community’ being ‘part of the community’? The use of photography in research

2008 Conference

We have been looking at how much people living in residential accommodation have contacts/networks/social capital within the areas they live.

Initially we held focus groups at each of the units. We decided to adapt the technique used by a project called PhotoVoice to try and make it easier for people to participate in the project. This meant asking people to take pictures of ‘the places you go and the people you know’. We then spent time with people discussing their photos and what they said about how things were for them.

The bulk of the project was a 50/50 split between NHS trust staff and people from Making Waves (made up entirely of people with experience of mental distress). The project came from some of the work Making Waves was doing and their experience of carrying out other research/evaluation projects.

We will consider how much peoples lives revolve around services and what is meant by community.

We shall look at more creative approaches to research and the ‘therapeutic’ benefit that the process can potentially have itself.

Finally we will look at the limitations of this type of approach and how we can try and strengthen peoples social networks.

Authors

Arnold ~ Penny

Creative Projects Director, Making Waves. Penny Arnold: I have 10 years experience developing arts-based projects for and with other people who have experience of mental health issues. Past projects include Postcards from the Edge-exploring ideas of normality and Insight in Mind-a film about mania and depression. Since 2005, I have developed this participatory photo-voice project.

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Felton ~ Anne

Lecturer in Mental Health, University of Nottingham lnbrAnne Felton: I have worked as a mental health nurse in residential rehabilitation services. I have a strong interest in researching and promoting social inclusion and therapeutic risk taking.

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Shaw Torsten

Director, Making Waves Torsten Shaw: I have worked in a number of voluntary sector projects in both mental health and learning disabilities. Five years ago I set up Making Waves as a way to try and channel some of my discontent into changing what happens for people when they become 'unhappily detached from reality'.

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