Eureka Members ' Testimony - The Difference Eureka Makes

Background...

Eureka Wellbeing Photography is a small Norwich-based independent group that was started over three years ago by two friends, Colin Howey and Emma Blake. We are entirely reliant on donations to pay for things like exhibitions and trips beyond the city. With the support of artists and photographers such as John Harrison, Tom Simpson and Paul Judkins, we have now got a loyal core of members who are really supportive of each other. 

The Concept...

The idea behind the Eureka Wellbeing Photography group is to bring people from diverse backgrounds together around a common interest in photography. We are developing together as artists, we are also supporting each other and working to improve our wellbeing and emotional resilience (bounce back ability). Although our members are brought together around a common interest in photography, we find that through our gatherings we:

• Connect with others
• Keep learning together
• Take notice of the world around us
• Be active: getting a bit of exercise through walking
• Give: share ideas, perspectives - and, often, laughter too!

In other words, the Eureka experience is as much about improving our wellbeing as it is about taking photographs.
 Our catch-phrase is, 'find wonder as you wander.'

Members' Testimony...

Here, some of our members talk about what being a member of the group means to them...

“I have gained confidence in meeting people by meeting people, by joining the photography group, as everyone has been so friendly.  I find by looking at the work of other people from the group, that I am gaining a more artistic eye for taking photos.”

 “The group dynamic is unique in my experience.  It's big enough to be a team, but everyone does their own thing.”

 “You learn something every time, just by seeing the world through somebody else's eyes.”

 “It's nice to take time doing something with no pressure... a chance to

meet new people from different backgrounds.”

“I enjoy both the photography and walking, and Eureka provides these alongside like-minded people in an easy-going atmosphere.  This is great in a world of pressures and stress.  I hope my photos will inspire positive emotions.”

“Attending Eureka is something I literally look forward to. I have been trying to use the Five Ways to Wellbeing, and this is one day I feel I succeed. I meet up with some very interesting people, I'm learning new things while we go on outings, encouraging us to look around us - something we forget to do in our normal rush, rush lives. Thank god for Eureka!”

“Eureka's great if during the week I've forgotten to look at things as they deserve, or have a proper laugh, or to get some exercise.”

“I have been attending Eureka for about 8 months now. Right from the start I felt at ease with the members of the group. I have found them to be kind, understanding and considerate. As a person with mental health difficulties I had become very isolated and insular."

"Attending Eureka has broadened my outlook and helped me to focus on alternative realities. Being able to interact with like-minded people has been both liberating and confidence building.”

"I had just moved to Norwich and Eureka gave me a chance to meet people and make new friends (which I have!). I now notice the nature around me, whether it is a single leaf or a wonderful sky. I'm very proud to be a Eureka member!"

“Eureka is about slowing down, noticing a world of wonder and forgetting
my workaday worries. It's about comfortable connections and generous
gestures. It's about sharing and enjoying insights as we look again.”

  

"When I started attending the Eureka! photography group I hoped that I may learn to take a "better" picture.  What has happened, and what I really enjoy, is that when out with Eureka! I find different pictures to take. I feel that there has developed within the group a shared commitment to not only find interesting images, but to also have a fun time. It is this social, creative, and playful aspect of the group that I have come to value. Rather than try to take a "nice" picture I now attempt to find an image that in someway captures the mood of that morning; which is something very different from being out in Norwich as part of the group."

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A Eureka Wonder Wander in Norwich Castle Museum

In order to view this picture story, please click on image above

The Norfolk Museums & Archaeological Service (NMAS) welcomed Eureka Wellbeing Photography members to the Norwich Castle Museum last Friday. We had a fantastic time! In no time at all we were exploring, clambering, laying down, kneeling... whatever it took to get our own unique angle on this amazing visual feast. 

Gathering in the cafe afterwards, I asked the group the following question:
"Do you feel better now than you did when you walked in here this morning?" 

Members responded unanimously, with an emphatic "yes!". Why might this be the case? One reason is that we were putting all of the Five Ways to Wellbeing into action, by:

• Connecting with one another and the artifacts
• Being physically active as we moved about
• Taking notice of the beautiful artifacts and being present in that moment
• Learning together about the collections and through sharing perspectives and photographic knowledge with each other
• Giving - it gave us a feeling of genuine satisfaction to know that our photographs would be given to back to the museum and their staff as our way of saying thank you

I think, though, that there are a couple of other things besides these five key 'actions' that contributed to our feel good factor. Firstly, there is the creative act. In a society in which we are so often placed in passive relationships with institutions, events and our environment(s), it is very empowering be able to make something. In our own way, armed only with our cameras and imaginations, we are transformed from consumers to producers. 

The other element in the Eureka group I would identify is playfulness. Put simply, we have fun together. As Picasso once said,

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once (s)he grows up." 

Part of this playful attitude is to dare to be different; to be unhibited; to not fear making mistakes. In fact, as Sir Ken Robinson argues, in order to be creative and to learn it is really important to be prepared to 'fail'. I think it also involves an attitude of healthy humility. So want if we look silly lying down to get that one shot... what a giggle we had last summer, as three of us lay down on the lawn of the Octagon Chapel garden getting an insect-eye view of the world. 

The Picture Story (above) is a compilation of our experience of this visit. Above all, it is a tribute to the work of all of the NMAS staff and volunteers who work together to make this wonderful place 'sing'. 

Thanks!