Leeds Arts University BA (Hons) Photography students and Hollybank Trust have collaborated on a photography project that celebrates the trust’s residents and aims to change the perception of those living with disability.
Over the past sixty years Hollybank Trust has provided teaching, residential care, plus a range of therapies and enrichment for children, young people and adults with profound and multiple disabilities.
Students from the University worked with residents of the trust to develop a body of work for ‘Removing the stigma of disability’, a photography exhibition held at Hollybank Trust on 13 July. The exhibition includes work by final year photography students Nelson Delgadinho, Leah Swallow, Oliver Clarke, Chloe Blackburn, Ezri Irvine, Lena Ricard and Alison Mccall.
“This project with Hollybank Trust is a great example of how Leeds Arts University students can benefit through collaboration with the local community. Working with the trust has given them the opportunity to work with the adult residents, develop their professional skills as photographers and to create a really meaningful body of work.”
Annabel Lane, Executive Director of People, Communication and Children’s Services, Hollybank Trust said the idea of the project was to “Change the perception of disability and to also breakdown the stigmas that may exist.” as well as to “actively find ways of building links with local education providers.”
Based in Mirfield, Hollybank Trust provides teaching, residential care, plus a range of therapies and enrichment activities for children, young people and adults with profound and multiple disabilities. Hollybank are there for parents and families right from their child’s first diagnosis, throughout their life providing quality of life, for life.