Inclusive Volunteers exhibit RLWC photos!

Photography Exhibition for Rugby League World Cup 21

Our Rugby League World Cup 2021 Inclusive Volunteers are excited to share the launch of an exclusive photography exhibition, displayed in Wigan Library, showcasing the results of a special project commissioned by Open Eye Gallery and Wigan Borough Council as part of the Open Eye Hub.

This project is part of our world-first inclusive volunteering and personal development programme, providing life-changing learning opportunities, vocational support and mentoring for people who require care and support and face significant barriers or exclusion when it comes to traditional volunteering.

Titled ‘Passion Play’ the exhibition, open to visit from 15th October to 27th November, captures the essence of our Inclusive Volunteering Programme and explores our volunteer’s feelings and experiences in the lead up to the tournament.

Someone looks on at a photograph taking by on eof our Inclusive Volunteers. Working with professional photographer, Emma Case, and Open Eye Gallery, members of the group who were aspiring photographers took part in a special photography project centred around the RLWC 21.

The group met once a fortnight online, to chat together and make friends, learn new photography skills, and take part in photo assignments to further their development.

They explored techniques such as light and composition, along with how to take strong photos at a live sports event. Beyond attaining new skills, the group explored their passion for rugby league, the thrill of playing and watching the sport, and how this emotion can be captured in a photograph.

Inclusve Vlunteer captures photograph of stadium.

This incredible exhibition is the result of their learning and discovery behind the lens, showing a glimpse into the successes of collaborating through photography.

Emma Case said, “It’s been a huge privilege working with the group over the past six months. It’s been an absolute joy watching them develop their photography skills and grow their confidence and you can really see that in their work and how we all talk about photography. I’m excited to hear about their experiences as volunteer photographers at the Rugby League World Cup and cannot wait to see what they capture!”

The contributing artists from our Inclusive Volunteering Programme are: Aaron Fairhead, David France, Joe Crammond, Katie Richardson, Kenzie Appleton, Matthew Price, Mark Whitaker, Mark Bellfield and Michael Duffy.

Find out more about the exhibition here.