Title: Capturing Connections: A Photo Story From Headway East London

A day at Headway East London

Headway East London is a charity supporting people affected by brain injury. Their Hackney centre runs a Day Service — creative sessions, group activities, practical support — but really it is a place to be part of a community.

I spent a day there in the summer of 2025 as a volunteer photographer. The brief I set myself was simple: photograph the day as it actually happened, and make a few portraits before I left.

The art studio

The day started in the art studio. People were painting; some worked on textile pieces; ceramic figures stood on a shelf. A hand-painted sign on the wall asked, “Who gets to be an artist”.

That question stayed with me. I photographed people at work and the things they were making — tables with marks on them, materials mid-use, finished pieces waiting nearby. The space as it is, not tidied up for a camera.

Music session

Later there was a music session. A man played guitar and led the songs. People joined in when they wanted to — some sang, some played, some just listened and kept time.

The pictures from this part of the day are simple, and I like them for that. A group sharing a room and a set of songs, without anyone turning it into a performance.

Kitchen and lunch prep

In the kitchen, staff and members worked side by side on lunch. There was conversation and joking; people helped with tasks and stayed with them from start to finish.

I photographed what was in front of me — prep on the table, busy hands, people talking while they worked.

Portraits and closing

After lunch I made a few portraits of staff and members. Quick and straightforward — a clean record of each person, with the room kept in the background rather than erased.

The day was not about a single event, and the photographs are not either. It was a normal day made of small sessions, shared time and ordinary interaction. That is exactly what I wanted them to show.

Photographing at Headway reminded me which part of this job I care about most: people, connection, and the quiet moments in between. To learn more about their work, or to support it, visit Headway London.

If you run a charity or community project

and would like environmental portraits that celebrate your people and their work, I am keen to take on more of these shoots. Reach me at info@tadam.co.uk.

Contact me