In honour of World Photo Day (19th August 2024), we are sharing the inspiring story of Helen, a talented photographer who volunteers at Helen & Douglas House. Helen takes photos of the children and families who visit the hospice, capturing moments of joy, love, and togetherness. She photographs our hospice parties, including Christmas and Easter, fundraising events and end-of-life moments. These photographs become cherished memories that families can hold onto forever.
Helen’s journey
Helen’s journey with us began after she attended a Helen & Douglas House charity fashion show, where she was deeply moved by a parent’s heartfelt words about their child’s care at the hospice. With an MFA in Photography from UCA Farnham and a desire to gain more experience in photography, Helen reached out to see how she could help us. For the past six years, she has been a fundamental part of our volunteer team, capturing meaningful photos.
We spoke to Helen about her volunteer experience and the impact she has on families who come to Helen & Douglas House.
Photographing end of life moments
Some families ask for photos to be taken of their child who is at the end of their life. Helen has photographed young babies in the hospice and shares her experience.
“I feel privileged to be asked to photograph end-of-life moments. It’s quite a responsibility to create good images that the parents can cherish. As a photographer, we take a lot of photographs and usually edit and finalise only the images that we consider our best work. I feel that all the images taken in the hospice even the ones that are out of focus or not perfect are taken of a moment in time that can never be repeated. So, if the parents ask me to provide all the images taken, I am happy to provide them. I believe you can never have too many photographs.”
Impact of photos
“I attended the yearly remembrance service at the hospice last year and was thanked by the father of a baby that I had photographed a few years previously. He told me how much the images I took meant to him and his family. I was really touched by this, as you are never really sure whether they liked the images, and whether it helped them.”
Significance of photography at Helen & Douglas House
“As I have become older, I have begun to appreciate how important photographs can be. I completed an MFA in Photography at UCA Farnham where I researched photography and wellbeing. I am fascinated by how the process of taking photographs and keeping photos can provide therapeutic benefits. Not only in terms of images for the family archive but also in providing a precious keepsake to preserve a child’s memory forever and helping to process feelings of grief.”
Favourite moments as a volunteer photographer at Helen & Douglas House
“It’s always a pleasure to come and take photos at the hospice. It’s such a welcoming and happy place. My two favourite events are the Christmas party and the Bubble Rush event.
At Christmas, I love how happy the children are to meet Santa and open their presents in the grotto. We are never sure whether it will be their last Christmas, so the Care Team always try and make it as memorable as possible. I also get very excited before the party looking forward to seeing which animals will be there. Over the years I have met dogs, penguins, a miniature pony and a pair of squirrel monkeys.
The Bubble Rush is always an amazing event to photograph too. The event is so much fun, and a joy to photograph. From the warmup before the race and seeing the children having so much fun in the bubbles. It’s so heartwarming to see them with their swimming goggles on playing in the coloured bubbles. I’m really looking forward to this year’s race.”
Thank you for sharing your story, Helen. Photography is a truly powerful tool, and you help capture precious moments that can last a lifetime.