The photos’ on the wall at Leonard Stocks Centre

The photos’ on the wall at Leonard Stocks Centre

 Leonard Stocks Centre is managed by Chapter 1 in partnership with Shekinah Mission. 

More than a 100 people have been helped to turn their lives around since the new homeless hostel opened 18 months ago.

 The Friends of Factory Row was founded to support the old hostel, which now has new modern facilities, and they now help by volunteering and raising money.

It was their idea to invite local photographers to submit pictures to decorate the walls.

Four themes were suggested: Lost and Found; Faith; Home; and Recovery. One picture from each theme was to be selected from 50 pictures submitted.

The hostel residents prepared a shortlist of 12 and then the Friends chose a winner in each of the categories.

 A photograph of a bee by K T Hemmings was chosen for the Lost and Found category.

A photograph of ‘The road less travelled’ by Anna Goodchild from the category Found.

 A photograph of Thatcher Rock by David Blakeley

From the category Home.

 ‘Flowers in a vase’ by Clive Figes was chosen from the category Recovery

Nick Pannell, chair of the Friends said:’We were thrilled by the public’s engagement and the thoughtful reasons why they chose to submit a particular image. The choice was left to residents as it is their home, not ours. Our thanks to everyone who send in their pictures—there’s a lot of talent out there.’

On the 1st of June the photographers were invited to see their work in situ, and meet some of the residents a the hostel who helped select the pictures as well as representatives from Chapter 1 and Shekinah.