Earlier this year (2019) I was commissioned by Make Your Mark (the Arts and Health programme for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust), to run a short photography course for adults with a learning disability. We had two groups of participants working with me (Dougie Evans) to each explore their sense of identity through photography. They worked with lighting, movements and personal belongings to create portraits of each other. Over the course, they were given the skills to co-create their own portrait photography collection.
Engaging and Exploring
We used a participatory arts process, working with people who had used Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust services and focusing on their relationship with themselves and how they could explore and express this using photography.
Dougie’s approach was informal, inclusive and person centred and groups engaged right from the start. Several people wanted to know if there was going to be more sessions and the final groups said they didn’t want to go home.
Charlotte Hanlon, Arts Project Coordinator.
The project was developed in response to a need to heighten the profile of Learning Disability services as part of the Trust.
Dougie Evans Photography 
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