Interested in Using Photo-methods?
A simple guide to get you started
How?
Why?
Who?
How?
Workshop
We are currently offering a choice of free CPD sessions for anyone who is working with children and young people, Our work focuses upon the ways in which photo-methods can be used to access child voice, or just to work with young people in order to start discussions around particular topics. So far many settings have worked with us on a number of specific themes such as nature-based education, sustainability, transitions, playground design, anxiety, teaching styles, inclusion and mental health. This is a perfect project to give children and young people’s voices more power within your setting. Get in touch to book your slot with the research team before the summer break!
- What does the image represent to you, what does it make you think about / feel?
- What questions does the image encourage you to ask?
- If you were going to take a photograph to express your feelings, what might you choose?
- Has anything been left out of the photograph? What would you add?
- What do you think those in the image are thinking/feeling?
- What might the people in the photo wish other people knew?
Possible Follow-up Activities
Community Wall
Individuals can take their own photographs/draw images and use them to make a community wall or display board. In the example below young people drew self-portraits and added them to demonstrate their commitment to being a welcoming community for others.
Group Discussions
The community wall or display board can be the starting point for further group discussions with pupils in schools, with clients and service users or with colleagues around any themed topic.
Why?
“This project has given us valuable insight into children’s views in our setting. We have changed practice because of our findings.”
(SENCo, Sefton)
“Schools have asked to work directly with the research and draw on the methodology explored to rethink how they capture student voice. This will provide valuable case study material as we will be able to measure impact”.
(Local Authority Principal Advisor)
“The Voices project was well worth the time, it slotted in neatly to how we could work with our students but more importantly, it allowed us to subtly change our practice to better cater for the needs of our students. This project has improved our practice within the service”
(SEN Lead, Complementary Education, Sefton)
“Everyone brings their own perspective to images and it reminds me to reflect my interpretation of interaction with children or young people may not be the same for them.”
(Local Authority lead, Specialist SEN provision)
“Interesting visuals to consider adapting images for well-being topics such as friendships, bullying etc.”
(SENCo and Area Lead, London)
Who?
The VOICES team are available to run free bespoke workshops with children and young people or a professional development session with groups of staff, to support you to develop this photo-based methodology in your setting. We can offer either online or face-to-face sessions.
Please email Dr Clare Woolhouse: [email protected].uk or Virginia Kay [email protected] for further information and to arrange an initial conversation around your interests.