Exploring the lives and wellbeing of NHS staff through photography

Published on 10, June, 2025

A new exhibition featuring the work of a University of Sunderland academic is aiming to enhance the wellbeing and recovery of patients and staff across Newcastle Hospitals through photography.

Since 2023, working with Newcastle Hospitals Charity, Johannah Churchill, Lecturer in Contemporary Photography at the University and former nurse, has invited staff from Newcastle Hospitals to take part in NHS Darkroom. The project aims to develop their skills and expertise in photography and is an opportunity to support their wellbeing through creative activity.

Johannah and University photography technicians, alongside the Charity's arts team, support NHS staff to take part in photography workshops using the darkrooms at the University’s Northern Centre of Photography, St Peter's Campus, to develop their own photographs.

The latest Darkroom project sees NHS staff explore their hobbies, crafts and collections through photography, and is now being displayed across the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (NGCA) Collection Space and Newcastle Hospital sites inspired by the NGCA’s latest exhibition, Come As You Really Are.

The project is a collaboration between Johannah, Newcastle Hospitals Charity, the NGCA and is supported by the University.

Johannah said: "I started NHS Darkroom with Katie Newell from Newcastle Hospitals Charity as a pilot three years ago. 

"Katie asked me if I would not only celebrate and shed light on NHS workers by taking their portrait, but if I would be interested in starting something participatory – of course my answer was yes.

"I loved the idea of being able to champion their work, teach them a bit more about their hobby but also collaborate to make the unseen visible. My initial idea – to bring them into the darkrooms here at University of Sunderland was a pilot – but from that first round we knew we had stumbled across something very special. 

"The interactions between our photography staff and NHS workers were incredible, using photography as a conduit to talk about difficult things. The darkroom is a very disarming, hands-on space, where digital technologies are put away. It promoted interdisciplinary working with a shared goal, and the work they were producing with support was nothing short of incredible."

>

During this project, four students from the University had the chance to get involved, teaching NHS staff cyanotype processes at the Northern Centre of Photography.

Johannah added: "The images are wonderful and weird, sentimental and surreal – think healthcare meets 70s science fiction. I am so proud of our growing group of NHS participants and of everything we do at the Northern Centre of Photography.”

Jon Weston, Curator at the NGCA, said: "We are delighted to partner with Newcastle Hospitals Charity on their innovative NHS Darkroom project in summer 2025.

"We have seen the positive impact the previous projects have had on NHS staff at Newcastle Hospitals and are delighted to offer a public space to share the brilliant and insightful photography produced.

"NHS Darkroom at the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art will draw on the exhibition Come As You Really Are in the main gallery, celebrating the vibrancy and importance of the hobbies and creative activities the staff undertake in their free time.

"Johannah Churchill is the perfect person to steer the project drawing on her skill and care as a photographer as well as her previous experience working as an NHS nurse.”

Katie Newell, Head of the Arts Programme at Newcastle Hospitals Charity, said: "We are delighted to partner with Northern Gallery for Contemporary this year as part of our ongoing NHS Darkroom project, with renowned photographer, Johannah Churchill.

"Johannah previously trained as a nurse at the Freeman Hospital, and this experience and the relationship she still has with healthcare professionals is evident in the quality of her photography.

"The portraits bring visibility to NHS staff as themselves, not solely as healthcare professionals. We’re excited to align NHS Darkroom this year with Artangel and Hetain Patel’s Come As You Really Are.

"It gives further opportunity for staff to be visible as themselves, bringing their own creative hobbies and interests to a wider public. We have very much enjoyed discovering sharing the creative talents of Newcastle Hospitals staff and are excited to be able to share them with a wider audience, through this exhibition."

The exhibition is showing at the NGCA collection space until July 5 2025. Find out more here.

If you are interested in studying Photography at the University of Sunderland, click here.