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Brighton and Hove social enterprise calendar launches for World Homeless Day

Besi Besemar October 9, 2018

A photography calendar created by Brighton and Hove based individuals with experience of homelessness will be launched at 2pm, on World Homeless Day, Wednesday, October 10, at the Phoenix Gallery in Brighton.

THE launch includes an award ceremony to celebrate the photographers’ achievements.

The MYBRIGHTON & HOVE 2019 calendar showcases images taken in the first MYBRIGHTON & HOVE Photo Project, which took place in June this year.

100 individuals with experience of homelessness were given Fujifilm Quicksnap cameras for five days, and took photos on the theme “My Brighton and Hove”.

The local social enterprise project is run locally entirely by volunteers, and supported by London Based Community Interest Company Café Art.

MYBRIGHTON & HOVE Photo Project manager, artist Lucy Groenewoud said: “The Project provides opportunity for individuals with experience of homelessness to share their narrative through photography, gaining skills and confidence.”  

“All money raised from the sale of calendars will go back in to the project to support further creative opportunities for individuals affected by homelessness in the city.”

MYBRIGHTON & HOVE Photo Project has been working in partnership with local organisations who support individuals who are vulnerably housed or homeless including Justlife Creative Art studios, and Brighton YMCA.

Briony Banks from Brighton YMCA said: “MYBRIGHTON & HOVE Photo Project has recognised the amazing talents of a group of people don’t always get the recognition they deserve. People who were given cameras were also given a platform to have a voice and show their perspectives of the world, which means those who took part have felt empowered and acknowledged in a way that is unfortunately rare. This project has enabled residents of Brighton YMCA to find a passion and purpose, some going on to photography courses, others having their work in a gallery to show their children, some will be able to earn money through their photos. We at Brighton YMCA are so proud of everyone who took part.”

One of the formerly homeless photographers who took part, Liam Bulpitt, added: “I loved the project, it’s given me something to do and think about. I’m looking forward to doing more photography in the future.”

The calendar will be sold at the Phoenix gallery and various points around Brighton and Hove from Wednesday, October 10 where the participants earn an income from selling it.

To buy the calendar and photographs online, click here:

The printing of the 2019 calendar was part funded by over a hundred members of the public on crowdfunding website Kickstarter in August and September.

To view the Kickstarter video, click here: 

The exhibition showcasing images chosen from all participants in the project is showing as part of Brighton Photo Fringe at the Phoenix Gallery open Wednesday-Sunday 11am-5pm until Monday, October 29.

MYBRIGHTON & HOVE Photo Project are looking for cafes and shops to stock the calendar and support this deserving social enterprise. Email: lucy@mybrightonphotoproject.com  to support the project by selling the calendar.

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