Dear All

Since a young age (11) I have been an avid photographer. This passion followed me through to adulthood where I now focus on still life, natural environments (sea, land and sky) as well as street photography.

I have a project which I would be very grateful, if you would consider.

I would like to use photography as a means of bringing a sense of purpose, self worth and personal value to the homeless and destitute here in the UK. This would be by means of engagement with street dwellers and others in need.

My intention is that through digital photography I can engage the interest of these individuals, insomuch that by taking a sense of pride in their work this will transfer into their own social/economic behaviour and help contribute towards them (in the longer term) achieving independent status and return them to becoming fully functioning members of society.

No-one gets a greater sense of pride than when they receive thanks and praise for something that she/he has created, from their own efforts.

Given that it takes a lot of resources to arrange and undertake workshops in many of the art forms such as painting, sculpture, performing etc due to the accommodation, materials and expertise it requires, digital photography is a far simpler undertaking.

To start with most of us have a digital camera in our pocket, bag, ie a camera phone.

With the increased development in technology, today in many cases these phones today surpass the technology being used by professional photographers less than ten years ago, so this format of creative artwork is, in my opinion, open to all.

My intention is to work with these individuals to assist them in learning new skills, not only in creative art but life skills such as cv and letter writing. Having worked as a voluntary outreach worker in London I know only too well how valuable these skills are in applying for jobs, benefits and other means of support. Success in doing so reduces the likelihood of returning to previous behavioural patterns.

My goal is to deliver a hub of support providing advice and services aligned to those in need within their socio/economic environment.

The objectives of my project are quite clear:

• Travel throughout the United Kingdom showing that digital photography is an art medium available to all

• Engage with the homeless and unemployed through the use of art, in order to increase self-worth as a means of gaining access to support, services and work

• To show that these people have a value, despite what their current condition and circumstances are, they are in my opinion entitled to a future

These objectives will be met through the undertaking of

• Workshops, teaching digital photography, enabling these individuals to create a portfolio which they can present to future employers as evidence of their interest to learn and gain new skills

• Self empowerment through their ability to exhibit these at their JobcentrePlus meetings and further afield, craft fairs, etc

• Fundraising through art based events with the support of the Local Authority or other sponsorship body

So how will this be achieved:

I’m going to buy a van, live in it, travel around the country and work with, through digital photography, anyone I come into contact with who needs my support in realising their full potential. I will work with whoever I find “on the floor”.

As mentioned earlier I have worked extensively with the homeless in London and have proactively campaigned for and raised money on their behalf, I am the published author of Fringe Living, Songs From The Street.

The ongoing activities of this project can all be achieved through “on the road” engagement, sponsorship, fundraising events and art sales.

My pledge to you:

For each donation of £50 or more I will send to you a memory stick with copies of all of the digital fine art images created over this journey, a digitised end of year book.

If you are a corporate donor, you too will receive an end of year book, along with your logo / corporate image placed on the sponsor’s page of the website, with a link directly to your page.

My commitment to give 100% towards improving the lives of those most in need through art will be evidenced by my blog detailing the experiences of those I have helped, supported and encouraged.

Having been homeless myself this project has much resonance with me.

My Budget / Plan

Van £3,000

Insurance / Tax / MoT £750

Signage £250

Literature £300

Website £100

Display Boards £200

Public Liability Insurance £200

Consumables £200

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£5,000 TOTAL FUNDING REQUIREMENT

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All other costs associated with this project including my own subsistence, all fuel costs, mobile phone, etc will be self funded.

If you are able to support this project I will be eternally grateful.

Kind regards

Karl Walduck