Liverpool Through Our Lens

Community Integrated Care are proud to have partnered with the World Gymnastics Championships 2022 and Sport England to develop a pioneering Inclusive Volunteering Programme. This gives people who access care and support in their daily lives the opportunity to develop new skills, confidence and friendships, through projects created and delivered by specialists.

At the heart of this, is Liverpool Through Our Lens – a unique photography programme delivered in partnership with Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool’s leading photographic arts organisation. This has enabled people we support to enjoy special adapted photography lessons, in Liverpool City Centre and at our photography club base – Kensington Neighbourhood Health Centre.

With the nurturing support of Sam Batley, our expert tutor from Open Eye, the group have created powerful images that bring to life their views and experiences of Liverpool. Their stunning photographs of the city are being gifted as presents to visiting gymnasts as postcards and have featured in a special exhibition in the World Gymnastics Championships Fan Zone.

These talents highlight Liverpool as the cultured, inclusive and beloved city that it truly is. This is Liverpool through their lens.

This project has achieved an incredible impact – encouraging people who access social care to enjoy all that their amazing city offers, and inspiring new passions and skills. With the project set to continue long after the event.

It has been generously funded by Liverpool & Sefton Health Partnership (LSHP) who provide exceptional property solutions in healthcare – including many in the heart of Liverpool. Community Integrated Care thanks them for investing in the project and generously providing space at Kensington Health Neighbourhood Centre for the Photography Groups.

John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care said, “Much more than learning how to use a camera, the project inspires independence, encouraging people to go out and visit their city and share their photography experiences with the group.
Often, you’re not a tourist in your own city. Sometimes we take for granted the amazing places we live in. People we support should go out, be active and have fun in this amazing city that they live in.”

“This is not a one off experience either – we hope that people we support have discovered this passion and will want to carry this skill on for the rest of their lives. Community Integrated Care exists to support people to live their best life possible – and you can’t live your best life without being part of a community.”

Nuria Rovira Terradas, Assistant Creative Producer at Open Eye Gallery said, “It’s been great to see the volunteers grow in their confidence as they learn more skills and share their photographs and experiences with other people. Every photograph tells a powerful story, but it’s the stories behind the lens that have the greatest impact.”