A photography project for those struggling with their mental health has seen members of a support centre in Tenby get creative and capture some striking shots and poignant pictures around the Pembrokeshire seaside town.

TRI is a mental health support centre in Tenby run by the charity Adferiad/Hafal for those struggling with their mental health, their families and carers.

Tri offers three main services:

• The Drop-In - A friendly accepting space to have a cuppa and a chat, staff are on hand to offer listening and support

• 1to1s - Active listening, advice and referrals to partner organisations such as benefits and housing advice, mental health advocacy or a helping hand with paperwork and phone calls

• Activity Sessions to help improve mental health and wellbeing. These include yoga and meditation, Wellbeing classes, art and craft and of course the TRI Photography Project with Alun Richardson.

Alun described how the project came about: “A chance encounter with a mum and her son, who was keen on photography, led me, years later, to help a young man who was struggling with his mental health.

“This experience sparked an idea in me about using photography to help people with mental health problems and the ‘TRI Photography Project’ was born.

“It isn’t a new idea, a quick internet search showed me many other groups around the country doing similar things, but nothing locally.

“Research has shown how any creative process can be calming and stress relieving, especially for people suffering from depression and anxiety. Photography has definitely helped me to cope with life’s ups and downs.

“It can be a form of escape, but it can also help with concentration and improve one’s mood.

“Age is no barrier nor is fitness and there is a genre of photography for everyone from street and landscape to close up macro photography,” continued Alun.

“There are some people who say that the camera removes you from experiencing what is around you, the opposite is actually true.

“With a camera in my hand I am observing and absorbing everything around me. It is the process of looking and seeing and as Elliot Erwitt said ‘finding the extraordinary amongst the ordinary’.

“You don’t need to be a whiz at photography or understand speed and apertures, the important thing is to have the enthusiasm to be creative and try something new.

“Mostly set around Tenby we run bi-weekly sessions free of charge, (sometimes weekly) where people are set a challenge - to capture colours or shapes, a dogs view of the world, looking up, the list is endless.

“Through these challenges participants learn to see what is around them and as a by product learn to take better photos.

“Later this year we hope to produce a small book to celebrate the project,” explainded Alun.

“I am always amazed that we can stand in exactly the same spot and people will all see something different, from a detail, to an angle, to the light and shade.

“With just a little help we have some great shots taken by people with little experience, and here are a few taken so far.

“We would like to thank Carmarthen Cameras who are sponsoring the project,” he added.

If you would like to find out more about this group or how to join in, contact Bryony on 07967 329 697 or email: [email protected]

The group has spaces for the project, so if you are interested or would like to access other support from TRI please do get in touch!