Photo: Clair Hogdson

Maggie’s Cheltenham gallery

Due to the pandemic, we decided to run the mindful photography course online. Concerned with the stress and challenges of the time, we chose to adapt the 8-week course into a 4-week course. This was a very different experience yet still very powerful for helping participants’ mental health and wellbeing. See the preliminary impact findings from the research carried out by the University of Gloucestershire.

Nine people took part in this course. Six of the participants chose to exhibit their photos here.

See here for more information about Maggie’s.

Clair Hodgson

Scarf, from the lovely weavers group, with me in hospital and throughout treatment. It reminds me of the love of friends.

The inside of my bag; the all-important pens, pencils and travelling paintbrush that I go everywhere with. I feel safe when I have them nearby.

Bean stem and support. I like the idea that nature will, if given the chance, overcome.

To wake to the light through the window, and know it's going to be a beautiful day.

Plant tendril after rain. Watching for the sublime moment when the drop finally breaks.

I've always been interested in photography, and have taken many 'snaps' over the years. The course encouraged a slowing down and consideration to taking photographs. I'm not sure I've totally managed that, but it has given me the opportunity to consider the subject and reflect before pressing the shutter.

Julie Dunkley

Contemplation. Sitting and looking at the moving clouds and morning mist.

Lynda Askew

During lockdown, there were many rainbows to see, reminding us that even in the darkest, dismal moments, light can shine through with beauty.

I underwent cancer treatment during lockdown. At times it was very lonely and scary, but this picture represents the incredible support I had from my daughter Phoebe, and son James.

Undergoing cancer treatment in lockdown, my rescue dog, Rusty, was my saviour, showing unconditional love and companionship no matter what my mood. On days when getting out of bed was impossible, he loyally sat by my side.

Taking a walk after treatment, this lane reminded me that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

When time slows and you take time to look in detail, you see so much beauty in simple things.

The evening sun over the River Severn in the distance. Having cancer has made me appreciate every moment of every day.

Marianne Watts

All of these photos reflect that specific time of my life: June 2020, recovering from chemotherapy and radiotherapy under Lockdown. The therapeutic sound of the watering can and growth in the garden that gave me something so meaningful to do, watch and enjoy each day. My daily walks in nature and the beautiful surrounding countryside I have the good fortune to live by and be part of. The books – I am so lucky to have read all of these books, they were a wonderful distraction.

I learned that taking a photo, stopping and looking, being curious can help stop your busy mind/worry/difficult repetitive thoughts. I have now tried this a lot of times on my walks and every time it has broken thought patterns and made me notice and focus on the present and my surroundings. I also loved the creative way of looking at your surroundings and using photos to tell stories and create metaphors.

Nicola Peregrine

The mindful photography course helped to remind me of how it is important to be kind to myself and take time-out to care for myself. The course taught me to slow down and recharge myself. It really did help me to appreciate things to see things more clearly (through fresh eyes). I hadn't expected to feel more relaxed as also hadn't recognised how caught up in the busyness of doing things/tasks. The course taught me the benefits of slowing down and that it could be easily included into my daily routine. Nurturing and caring for yourself is as important as caring for others.

Pauline Turfrey

This was the very first photo I took on the course. I selected it as it's the first time I really looked at the subject and specifically chose the angle of the photo in order to catch the reflection of the room behind me which could not be seen from another angle.

This was taken when you tasked us with photographing something with man made and nature together. The slate is the top of our water feature which has been very much overtaken by the lavender and I managed to catch a bee too. Made me realise that nature very much wins over man made but can live happily together.

This was colours week! I loved the very dramatic red of the flowers, which stood out against the green leaves.

This was the week we had to take pictures of something which defines us. I took this as the MUM ring was the first present my children bought me for Christmas with their own pocket money. They were only 7 & 5 years old but chose it themselves from the Argos catalogue, probably only cost £10 but it's one of my most treasured possessions. I've never taken it off in the 26 years since.

This was taken in Durham Cathedral on a trip we did post the course. The course has made me really notice things I wouldn't have done before and this was created by the sun shining through a stained glass window onto the stone column. It was so vivid and put a whole different light inside the cathedral.

Again post course this was taken on a trip to Cornwall. I usually would have dismissed such a picture as something old and not very inspiring, but the course has made me really look at things and appreciate them more. These petrol pumps took me back to my childhood as my father was very much into cars and I helped him clean it every week. The price of the petrol on the pumps is a far cry from todays prices and just made me think how much simpler and happier those days were compared to 2020. It's also testament to the little village of St Mawes that they have preserved them all this time.