Photography exhibition highlighting men’s health opens at The Northumbria hospital

Raising awareness of the different struggles that men experience with their health and wellbeing, Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity has unveiled a new photography exhibition.

The exhibition has opened at the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH), spotlighting the lives and stories of 12 male staff members at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Participants have shared how they have overcome personal health issues and what has helped to make a positive impact on their wellbeing, inspiring and encouraging other men to do the same.

The project was organised by the trust’s official charity, Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity, with Ikuko Tsuchiya leading the photography of the project.

Ikuko is an award-winning practitioner of art-photography and teaching art, exploring how art can help to transform personal experiences and emotional journeys into shared dialogue, leading to understanding.

Ikuko said: "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the participants who took the brave step of sharing their personal health stories for this project and stepping in front of camera.

“Their practical strategies and life wisdom in coping with hardship and maintaining wellbeing is truly inspiring. It is my hope that the portraits draw viewers into their stories and, in doing so, serve as a catalyst for dialogue among people on the importance of men's health."

Katie Dawson, Bright Charity’s healing arts programme manager, said: “I would like to thank each of the participants who took part in this project. They shared their personal experiences with the aim of raising awareness of men’s health - an area that’s still not often talked about.

“I would also like to thank artist-photographer Ikuko Tsuchiya. As well as her amazing talent, she’s involved everyone in each stage of the process to co-create these beautiful inspiring photographs. We hope people enjoy seeing the exhibition.”

The exhibition opened on Friday 21 November at The Northumbria hospital in Cramlington.

Touching on the importance of speaking about mental health, participant of the exhibition, Yevhen Slautenko, said: “Sharing stories like these matters. Getting the chance to talk openly makes a real difference and lessens that emotional weight and stigma. I know first-hand how much these events help others who don’t always ask for support.”

As part of the Movember campaign, participants have also shared blogs touching on the importance of men’s health. You can read more about their stories here.

Media contact

Jesse Ngonyama - jesse.ngonyama@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk