Photography students from The Northern School of Art’s Middlesbrough FE campus have joined forces with Ageing Better Middlesbrough to breakdown negative stereotypes and show the positives of getting older.

Students on the School’s UAL Extended Diploma in Photography worked with Ageing Better Middlesbrough volunteers to produce a photography campaign that is being displayed at the Creative Factory, Hillstreet Shopping Centre, Middlesbrough, until 31st January and was featured on BBC Look North (student Will Donoghue is pictured being interviewed below).

Anya Deputat, Age Friendly Officer at Ageing Better Middlesbrough, said: “We support people aged 50 plus in Middlesbrough, but one of our priorities is bringing people of all ages together. We want to break down the barriers between different age groups and highlight the value of younger and older people.

“This exhibition and all the work that has gone on behind the scenes has been a wonderful experience for everyone involved. Our older volunteers learned so much from the students and had a great time.”

Jan Secker, UAL Extended Diploma Photography Lecturer at The Northern School of Art’s Middlesbrough campus, said: “The project with Ageing Better Middlesbrough has been an excellent opportunity for the students to work on a live brief and get some hands-on experience in professional practice.

“The inter-generational aspect has also really benefitted them academically and personally. They have all thoroughly enjoyed it and are very excited about their work going on show to the public.”

Second year UAL Extended Diploma Photography student, Joshua Gallantree, (one of his images is pcitured right) who plans to continue studying photography at university and then make a career out of it, said: “My images feature three members of Ageing Better Middlesbrough who stood out to me because of their positivity and great attitude towards helping battle ageism.

“My idea was to create images that would inspire people of all ages to not let their age rule their lives. That they should try something new without criticism from others.

“Working with Ageing Better Middlesbrough has been a very interesting and enlightening experience. I feel I have gained a better understanding of how ageism affects people and how passionate they are about not letting it hold them back.”

Fellow second year photography student, Elise Lumley (whose photograph is pictured below) who also wants to continue her photography studies at university, said: “My photos feature people from Ageing Better Middlesbrough, and showcase that, as you age, you can still dress how you like and not feel restricted.

“I enjoyed the working with people from Ageing Better Middlesbrough because it allowed me to connect with people I wouldn’t normally.”

Ageing Better Middlesbrough is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. It is working to reduce loneliness and isolation for people in Middlesbrough aged 50 and over.

The Northern School of Art offers a wide range of specialist creative courses at its FE campus in Middlesbrough and HE campus in Hartlepool. Further details of the UAL Extended Diploma Photography course are available at https://bit.ly/38pTQ3S