Well, after all the excitement of Marcus Fair’s recent Community Game Changer Award from The National Lottery, more things have been happening at Eternal Media. This time with Recovery Focus, the wonderful therapeutic photography project developed by Jill Whittingham, Director and Lead Therapist at Eternal Media. Here are some words from Jill which appeared on Eternal’s Facebook page late last week.
Thursday, 26 September: ‘Yesterday saw our first Recovery in Focus Gathering, bringing together participants from all five groups for a day of strengthening our recovery connections. It’s incredible to see this RIF community grow and support each other. Old friends reunited and new friends made.
Huge thanks to – @moxy.uk for the venue in Chester, Mandy Simpson @theimagewitch for speaking to us about your photo project about your family, Chester Visual Arts for welcoming us to your Recovery Month arts exhibition (which RIF features in!)
We are so proud of this project and cannot express what it means to us to hear how important it has been to the recovery of some of these folk pictured here. There’s so much more to come from Recovery in Focus!’
Friday, 27 September: ‘An incredible experience to see the entire Recovery in Focus collection exhibited together for the first time! All 60 images are currently on display at Chester Visual Arts and we couldn’t be prouder of our growing band of photographers. The exhibition will be on display until the end of September in the Grosvenor Arcade, Chester. Let us know if you go to see it!
Thanks to Chester Visual Arts for the opportunity to exhibit with you (especially Hannah and Grace) and Claire Bayes Kitcher at @fallenangelsrising for all your support and help in making this happen.’
Friday, 27 September (2nd Post): ‘More news of Recovery in Focus photos in exciting exhibitions! This weekend sees the launch of a digital display of the photos by RIF#5 at Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool. This is a tremendous accolade for these recovery photographers and recognition that the project has a place within the arts community.The exhibition is on display until the end of October – we’d love you to go and see it if you’re in the area. ‘
So what is Recovery in Focus and how does it help people on their recovery journey? Here is what Jill has to say about Recovery in Focus on her Linked In page:
‘Recovery In Focus is a therapeutic photography project working with people in early recovery from addiction to drink and drugs. Looking through the lens of a camera gives a new and creative way to tell stories of addiction and recovery. Participants are all in early recovery and new to photography. All photos are taken on phone cameras.
The project includes workshop sessions where we learn photography skills alongside tools to help move into long term, stable recovery. We combine those with photography shoot days when we put our new skills into action in places around North Wales and the North West. Locations have included Colwyn Bay, Chester, Liverpool, Wrexham, Llandudno and Salford Quays.
In addition to sharing recovery and photography skills, Recovery In Focus also nurtures self esteem, creativity and confidence.
Final work is exhibited in public venues and has been shown in such prestigious photography venues as Open Eye Gallery and Oriel Colwyn.’
Jill also mentions on her Linked In page that participants in Recovery in Focus should be in early recovery and be prepared to commit to a ten-week project. The project is free to take part and photos are taken using mobile phone cameras.
The following I say about Recovery in Focus relates to a discussion I had with James Deakin, Founder of North Wales Recovery Communities, on a Zoom call last week. We were talking about the interaction between NWRC and Eternal Media, and James said that all members of NWRC who participate in the project come back to Bangor very enthusiastic about everything. They just love it!
Please note: There is a new Recovery in Focus starting on Tuesday, 8th October 2024 in Rhyl, North Wales. It will take place every Tuesday (11.00 – 16.00) for ten weeks. The workshop days will be held at Ask Centre, 9 Water Street, Rhyl. The location days will start and finish at Ask Centre. To get further info or apply for a place, contact Jill Whittingham at jill@eternalmedia.co.uk. Please check out this flyer to find out more:
> PARTICIPANT INFO SHEET RIF#6
