Linx started in 1993, out on the streets, with the aim of supporting young people between the ages of 14 and 19 living in the Hemlington area of south Middlesbrough. Now it has grown across the whole of the town, has access to premises, and with the help of employed staff and volunteers is supporting around 900 young people each year. I’ve been involved since 1993 and have been a member of the Board of Management for the last 15 years.

When Covid hit, we looked afresh at how we could help our young people. We realised that while we at Linx are very good at recording activities and events on the web and social media, our images were taken by us and mostly of young people doing things and rather less about them as people. The Covid pandemic was a particularly difficult period for these young people (and everyone!), so we came up with the idea of involving them in documenting their own experiences through their own eyes.

There were several discussions with the young people involved with Linx, but it was a younger group of 10 to 15 year olds who showed the most interest. As the project developed, we had a regular group of eight who were really engaged. It was very much, for all of us, a learning experience and we realised quickly that it would take time if we wanted the photography to be fun as well as encouraging the group to really think about the story they wanted to tell.

We initially thought smartphones would be the mainstay, but we found that not all young people actually have access to one. We began with borrowed DSLR’s although with the success of the project, Linx has now invested in its own digital cameras. Although very few of the young people had ever used a camera before, it didn’t prove a problem and with support, they quickly got to grips with the technology.

The next step was to seek partners to collaborate with, so in June 2022, I invited members of the local camera club - Gallery Photogroup in Middlesbrough - to support the project. Not long afterwards, award winning documentary photographer Joanne Coates who, coincidentally, had been commissioned to do some other work with young people in Middlesbrough joined us. Through her, local artist and photographer Kevin Howards agreed to run a workshop. The next to come on board was Carolyn Mendelsohn whose Bradford based project Through the Lens had encouraged young people to document their experiences.

Carolyn also led a workshop for our young photographers. These coaching and workshop experiences have really helped to build confidence in our group, as well as creative, technical and life skills.

We began with days out locally at Teesmouth, and then as we gained confidence, we went further afield into the Yorkshire Dales as well as organising more structured indoor sessions facilitated by Joanne. A real bonus too is that some members of the group are now studying photography at school, and they are able to share their skills with the others. For safeguarding reasons we have permission from parents, some of whom have met with the group on various occasions. They’re very supportive of what we are all doing. One parent has even expressed interest himself in joining a camera group.

And now, a theme has emerged - Double Identities - the idea of portraying what it is like to be a young person living in Middlesbrough today. The image making has been impressive – one young author, Lilly, won a Best Newcomer prize in a competition sponsored by the Hope Foundation and the group’s work has been exhibited at the Danby North York Moors National Park Centre. Two prints from that exhibition were actually sold. The group now documents local community events and Middlesbrough Council will also be publishing some of their photographs. Other exhibitions are planned locally.

Two features have helped to make the project a success so far. Firstly, it is a collaboration with all involved having a voice. Secondly, the young people themselves are the photographers. The challenge now is to go on to engage with an older cohort say, 15 to 18 years of age and from more diverse backgrounds. Being involved with a youth work project with committed staff and some resources obviously helps with access but those we are aiming to include next are likely to be vulnerable and difficult to reach – and that’s our next challenge.

www.linxyouthproject.co.uk

www.facebook.com/LinxHemlington

www.joannecoates.co.uk

carolynmendelsohnphoto.com