|
Focus on homelessness
AN EXHIBITION
of photographs showing life through the lens of the city’s homeless
community is being launched at a Liverpool library.
The ‘What We See’ exhibition at Kensington Library from
Monday, 12 May 2008, is the result of a photography course
commissioned by the city council in conjunction with the Whitechapel
Centre, a dedicated service for the city’s homeless and those at
risk of being without a home.
The course gave 23 people who use the centre and the Women’s Direct
Access Centre the opportunity to learn new skills and gain
confidence.
The photographs show life from the perspective of homeless people
and it is hoped that it will trigger a debate about the issue among
those who view it.
Liverpool’s Executive Director of Community Services, Tony Hunter,
said:- “I am really pleased that the work of the people who
benefit from our homelessness service is being exhibited to a wider
audience.
I would urge people to go along and have a look at the thought
provoking photographs, which give a remarkable insight into the
lives of people who for a whole range of reasons find themselves
homeless.”
Of those who took part in the scheme, several have gone on to become
volunteer photographers at the Whitechapel Centre.
Another six have furthered their learning by taking a catering
course at Liverpool Community College.
Maureen McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Whitechapel Centre, said:-
“Many of the people using our services have had poor
experiences of formal learning, lack confidence and are excluded
from opportunities most people take for granted.
This project has proven to be a fantastic opportunity to showcase
their talents.”
The course tutor, freelance photographer Christian Petersen, said:-
“The students made great photographers as they see the world
in a very honest and direct way and this makes for interesting and
unique photographs.
It's great that the Whitechapel Centre will be utilising the
students photography skills and enthusiasm to document their own
work at the centre.
I look forward to seeing what they produce in the future – they have
proven that they are more than capable of expressing themselves with
a camera.”
The exhibition runs until Friday, 23 May 2008, and admission is
free. |
MERSEYSIDE GETS INTO THE SWING WITH 120 ROUNDS
MERSEYSIDERS
will play an average of 120 rounds of golf this year, a 20 per cent
increase on 2007 thanks to Open fever sweeping the region.
Matthew Allen-Chilman, head of golf at Formby Hall Golf Resort &
Spa, commented:- “There’s still more than 60 days until the
Open, but we’ve experienced unprecedented demand for the golf course
since mid-January. It’s been from all levels of player, from
amateurs to semi-professionals, but the biggest interest by far has
been from the city’s professionals.
The Open is a key networking event for many and we’ve already
bulk-sold several weeks of PGA academy training and have even been
asked to send some of our pros to peoples’ homes for more discreet
personal training.
The region’s professionals are obviously keen to capitalise on and
enjoy the event, while showcasing their golfing talent. A bit of
last minute coaching is definitely the answer.”
Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa is already taking green tee bookings
for during The Open Championship. Daily green fees include £200 for
the nine hole and £400 for the 18 hole course.
The resort will
become home to the UK’s only residential PGA golf academy in June
when it opens its doors for the first time. The residential golf
academy will offer swing analysis, one-on-one putting and driving
tuition and handicap reduction strategies.
The resort’s recently completed its second phase of development, as
the meeting and conference facilities were launched. The resort now
offers two conference rooms, the Ambassador (14m x 26m) and the
Diplomat (6m x 22m) and is well located to capitalise on the
opportunities that The Open will generate.
The 2008 Open is expected to deliver a major boost to the local and
regional economy.
Early estimates suggest that the event will bring
more than £30m of new money to the local economy while footage and
images of Sefton’s golf coast will generate a further £40m of
tourism-related businesses in the area. |
