A photography project at the University of Sunderland has evolved into a new movement, giving NHS staff a voice through creativity.

NHS Darkroom is a photography research project led by Sunderland lecturer, photographer and former NHS nurse, Johannah Churchill, in partnership with Newcastle Hospitals Charity.

Since 2022, NHS staff across clinical and non-clinical roles have taken part in the project, learning darkroom processes and using them to print images of their own working lives.

Johannah has been working with NHS staff across the region to help them create their own images and print them by hand, shaping how their working lives are seen and understood.

A photography project at the University of Sunderland has evolved into a new movement aiming to give NHS staff a voice through creativity.

placeholder image — A photography project at the University of Sunderland has evolved into a new movement aiming to give NHS staff a voice through creativity.

The project has become a space for staff to reflect on their roles, their colleagues and the nature of care itself.

Johannah said: "Photography and the arts let us tell the stories that don't always get told, and to build bridges between people who might not otherwise see each other's lives.

“NHS Darkroom gives staff the chance to be the ones holding the camera, telling their own story, in their own way."

A small exhibition and informal gathering took place on Thursday, July 23 at the University of Sunderland Northern Centre of Photography, where the project’s work was displayed.

Guests had the chance to view the full body of work, speak with participants about their experience and hear more about where the project is headed next.

The exhibition also marked the first year that the university’s medical students were formally part of the project.

Charlie Gregory, arts curator at Newcastle Hospitals Charity, said: “NHS Darkroom is brilliant platform for Newcastle Hospitals staff to share their stories and experiences through photography, and its ambition continues to grow year on year.

“The project sees Newcastle Hospitals staff develop new creative skills in analogue photography and darkroom practice, while also celebrating the multitude of roles across our NHS trust through their portraits.

"We look forward to displaying all the work across our trust sites and sharing it with a wider audience.”

This year, the project reached a new milestone, with UK Research and Innovation Participatory Research funding secured to produce a short film documenting the project.