APPROACHING MISSION

Approaching mission early October initially asking if I could leave some posters around. The posters asked if anyone would be interested in taking part in a photographic project, raising awareness around mental health. I was then introduced to  Deborah, who seemed to be in charge. Later to find out she was the Support Services Manager at Mission.Deborah then set up a meeting for the week later so that we could discuss what I wanted to achieve by working with Mission.

At the meeting were me, Deborah and another University of Huddersfield student, studying journalism who was completing his placement at Mission. We discussed the reasoning behind me approaching Mission in the first place. Explaining to Deborah being final year student I wanted to focus my FMP on photographing with a group of people who may suffer from mental health issues. To use photography to empower them. I made it very clear to Deborah that I wasn't there to take pictures of anyone in an exploitive manner and leave I wanted it to be a collaboration process.

Deborah seemed very interested in the idea of giving disposable cameras out to the service users and trying different techniques other than just photographing the group, to create a collaboration project. Deborah Suggested starting in the art group on a Thursday 2pm-4pm to introduce my self to the group and begin to build relationships.

Overwhelmed that my idea was in the process thanks to Deborah taking the time to listen to what I wanted to achieve by working with the service users.