PAYANAM Photography Club

Who we are 

My name is Ravi, a refugee & torture survivor and founder of the social enterprise, PAYANAM. 

PAYANAM is born out of my own lived experience. A photograph group helped me to overcome and /heal my trauma, changing my life into a positive one. I have now recreated this photography group to help other refugees and asylum seekers. 

PAYANAM is a social enterprise and photography group that supports and helps refugees and asylum seekers by training and coaching them to learn photography so they can create art that tells their stories and explores the healing power of art through the creative process. 

What are we doing? 

Our creative art project teaches and trains refugees and asylum seekers in the medium of photography. We encourage people to share their stories through art. This process of creating artwork and sharing their stories will help people to reclaim their mental health, their story and to regain control over their life experiences. 

We have a wonderful team of volunteers Alejandra Carles-Tolra and JJ Keith with years of experience working with refugees and asylum seekers who will train the group. The course covers beginner-level photography which, by the end of the project, participants will produce their own photographs to share in a public exhibition. This project helps participants proceed to learn the next levels in photography, start a career in the arts, or to just learn a fun new skill! 

“I like the relaxed atmosphere and the opportunity to experiment with different angles, lighting, and compositions. It allowed for creativity and unique and captivating shots” - Nazir.

“How interactive and immersive it was, My mentor is always a joy teaching us. At one point she picked up a giant cone to demonstrate a technique and one of us took a photo through it. It was brilliant. I admire her commitment to assisting us in learning photography”- Participant.

We need your support

We need help to support the delivery of the next group. We will be using the money to cover the project costs including, venue hire, buying cameras & equipment, printing artwork for display, and participant for travel expenses. 

Did you know that Travel expenses are one of the main reasons for asylum seekers to avoid and skip creative sessions as they cannot afford the travel cost and must prioritise other appointments? Asylum seekers survive off of less than £50 per week, which needs to cover food, clothing, and other essentials. We do not think that they should miss out on creative and positive mental health workshops because of travel costs.

Can you help us to continue the project and become part of the great impact of many lives?

Stretch Target 

The stretched target of £10,000 will help us to support more asylum seekers and refugees who are currently on the waiting list. We will use the extra money to find a permanent space to run our photography sessions and start an additional photography project and essential support services.

• In 2025, we want to run 2 beginner photography projects and 2 intermediate photography projects to support 80 - 100 users. 
• Run  3-4 months of 12-15 members' beginner projects in January and July
• Also, run 3-4 months of 12-15 members' intermediate projects in January and July

How will your donation be spent?

• £100 would cover the cost of 10 participants' travel costs per session.
• £250 would be enough to cover the cost of printing artwork for display.
• £500 would cover the cost of space rent for 3 months to run the sessions.
• £1000 would be enough to cover the travel cost of 10 members for 10 sessions or buy 4 used DSLR cameras, SD cards, and accessories.

Can you help us? 

We much appreciate your support, Thank you.