Getting things into focus

Local photographer and project coordinator worker Tony Wooderson is curating a very special exhibition this month. He explains how photography has helped addicts develop habits of mindfulness

    As a photographer, I know there’s a clear link between mindfulness and my craft.  

By Tony Wooderson

For many people with addictions, mental health is a major factor in their condition. They struggle with low self-worth, often experiencing a lack of confidence that locks them into harmful habits and perpetuates a downward spiral of damaging behaviour.

I saw that a huge amount in my role as a recovery worker with Supporting Treatment, Accommodation and Recovery in Suffolk (STARS), delivered by the Notting Hill Genesis Housing Association.

As a photographer, I know there’s a clear link between mindfulness and my craft. So it seemed natural that I would try to use my love of photography to address some of the challenges being faced by the people I supported.

With this in mind, I facilitated a number of Photography-with-Mindfulness workshops for STARS clients. The idea was to encourage their creativity, using only mobile phones to take photographs. They were encouraged to deploy the habits and principles of mindfulness and basic photography skills to heighten the experience and aid their recovery.

My hope was that the workshops would build confidence among participants and contribute to the overall goal, which is to consolidate recovery, enhance employability and independence.

I was grateful for the support of Suffolk Mind in Ipswich. This charity is committed to making Suffolk the best place in the world to talk about mental health and provided fantastic facilities for our workshops. I ran five sessions in the weeks before Christmas last year.

Camera Amnesty, a charity that encourages homeless people by providing them with donated photography equipment, supplied all the mobile phones we needed for the project. We cleared out their supply, so that everyone who came had a camera to use for the workshops.

All the participants said how much they enjoyed the experience. I saw a tangible improvement in their confidence levels. One person has continued taking photographs and hopes to build his skills further in the months ahead.

With the workshops proving a success, I wanted to share the photographs more widely. So I enlisted the help of my friend and fellow photographer Simon Ellingworth, who has won international awards for his innovative iPhone images. Simon agreed to critique the 10 best images from the workshops. You can see his analysis on this video.

Now, thanks to sponsorship from MetroImaging, we’re exhibiting 30 photographs at La Tour Cycle Café in Ipswich Marina from Monday, 8 April to Saturday, 20 April. The exhibition will then move to Suffolk Mind, Quay Place from Tuesday, 23 April to Friday, 26 April. Both venues are open to the public, and we’re hoping to attract a large number of visitors.

I hope very much that you’ll come and see these wonderful photos. Not only are they visually stunning, but they tell a story about recovery and the realities of living with mental illness and addiction. They’re a sign of hope, in a world that can often seem fragmented and frightening. They show the power of mindfulness and photography as a healer and restorer of meaning.

Exhibition dates:

8–20 April, La Tour Cycle Café, Ipswich

23–26 April, Suffolk Mind, Quay Place

 

About the author

Tony Wooderson is a photographer who was at the time of the workshops with homeless people, addicts and those with mental illness. He has  since, and in many ways, as a result of the project, become the lead in Work Well with Suffolk Mind, anew Lottery funded project, aimed at helping people struggling with mental wellbeing to get them ready to gain or retain employment by offering a tailored support programme.

Published: 3 April 2019

© 2019 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

If you liked this article, you may enjoy – Mental health in the workplace for employers and employees

You may also be interested in – Workplace dilemmas: how do I help my colleague through mental illness?

Jobs currently available

New job
Production Supervisor
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £38,000 - £42,000 per annum
Location: Braintree, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913532
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Production Supervisor to join an engineering company based in Braintree, Essex.

For this role, you will be managing and motivating a team of 30+ operatives, ensuring production targets are met, quality standards are upheld, and health and safety regulations are fully adhered to.

Role will involve:

  • Overseeing the machine(s) production plan, managing production manning systems through collaborating with internal teams, and monitoring key performance metrics to ensure timely and high-quality output.
  • Championing the implementation of the new ERP (Production data), TMS (time & attendance) systems for accurate data entry and payroll approval—a clear understanding of the Management of Change and engaging teams will be a key requirement.
  • Identifying and addressing performance-related issues, optimising processes, and managing resources effectively to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
  • Championing the rollout and implementation of ongoing 5S and SMED projects.

Key skills required:

  • Six Sigma qualification (Green or Yellow belt).
  • Experience in supervising large teams.
  • Previous experience with SQCDP principles.
  • Experience with MRP systems.
  • Expert in Microsoft suite of applications inc, Excel, Word, Teams etc.

Working hours:

8.00am to 4.30pm / 9.00am to 5.3pm (can be flexible).

Please note that although the role is a day shift position, the two teams for the role of responsibility operate on a rotating shift pattern, earlies and lates, requiring flexibility to work across various shifts to ensure continuous production coverage. You will be responsible for managing your team effectively during each shift to meet production targets and maintain quality standards.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £14.30 per hour
Location: Bury St. Edmunds
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-BU-WO-1124
About the role

Looking for weekend work and want to earn money for Christmas?

Just Temps seeks temporary weekend Warehouse Operatives for a company based in Bury St. Edmunds.

This is an immediate start role.

Hours:

Starting Saturday 9th November working 6am to 12pm.
Then working Saturday and Sunday 6am to 12pm until 15th December.

Duties include:

  • Packing and picking.
  • Loading and unloading.

Paid weekly in arrears,  

You must have your own transport due to the company's location.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £11.50 per hour
Location: Roade, Northampton
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary to Permanent
Job ref: JT-RO-WO-1124
About the role

Just Temps is seeking Warehouse Operatives to join a company based in Roade, Northampton.

This is a temp-to-perm opportunity role!

Working hours: Monday to Friday. 13.30 to 22.00.

Duties will Include:

  • Sorting plastic from paper.
  • Unloading and loading of lorries and containers.
  • Using handheld scanners to pick and pack.
  • Working within the stores.
  • Other general warehouse duties.

Heavy lifting will be involved.
This company really cares about its workforce and lots of opportunities are available.
An increase in pay is available after the qualifying period.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Sales Executive
Sector: Sales
Salary: Competitive
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913469
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing transport/logistics business, based on the outskirts of Colchester—looking for a proactive and driven 'Sales Executive' to join its well-respected team.

In order to be considered for this role, you must have sales experience, preferably within the transport/logistics sector.

The key purpose of this role is to drive business. Your role will be instrumental in supporting the rapid growth of the customer base.

You will be working closely with the Managing Director and the local senior management team on the continual growth of the company—through the management and expansion of a portfolio of customers to improve market position and achieve financial growth. Previous experience in driving sales is essential.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Building a strong new business pipeline of opportunity, which incorporates the growth of company services, and offers excellent revenue opportunity and margin growth
  • Developing a comprehensive database of prospects on the CRM system, which includes a full record of upcoming tenders over the next 3 to 4 years to ensure new prospects and opportunities are actively managed
  • Maintaining a full understanding of all services, procedures and standards offered by both the company and its competitors to ensure business can be gained and value added at every opportunity, operating within a contract and against agreed terms
  • Building and maintaining key customer relations by arranging regular face-to-face meetings to ensure the highest levels of customer service are being provided throughout the customer's life cycle, resulting in increased revenue
  • Preparing clear, concise and accurate reports both monthly and on an as and when required basis for sales to be measured against organisational strategic targets
  • Working alongside the sector Managing Director and local senior management team to prepare and deliver accurate sales tender documentation, including detailed presentations and quotes for new and existing business to negotiate and close business deals to increase business growth
  • Meeting individual targets set to provide support in meeting both annual Company and Group targets

Your knowledge and experience:

  • Sales forecasts
  • Time management
  • Tracking industry trends
  • Relevant industry experience to enable prospecting new business
  • Experience in managing clients and managing strategic targets and growth
  • Full car driving licence

This role offers Monday to Friday working hours and a very competitive package with the following benefits:

  • Life assurance
  • Pension
  • Opportunity for training and development
  • On-site parking
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Loyalty Awards (recognise employees with 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 years of service)
  • Employee benefits and discounts across a range of top brands (including shopping, travel, motoring and days out)

An application for a DBS certificate will be required in the event of the individual being offered the position.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Finance Assistant
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: Competitive
Location: Eye
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913531
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing organisation, based in Eye, Suffolk—looking to recruit a Finance Assistant on a full-time, perm basis.

This role would you if you are seeking to grow and develop a successful career within finance and accounting, in a growing business.

The key purpose of this role is to support the finance team and wider business with accounting and administration duties including:

  • Invoicing customers accurately and in a timely manner
  • Chasing for payments when needed
  • Processing customer deductions and raising, posting credit notes
  • Supporting purchase ledger
  • General admin duties
  • Assisting by providing holiday and absence cover for other team members
  • Support other members of the finance team with other processes as and when required

Ideally, you will have office-based experience and an interest in finance and accounting - further study support and development are available.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more