A photography exhibition sharing stories of recovery
What does a place, a person or an everyday object mean to you? For eight people using Brighton and Hove Recovery Service, these three prompts became the starting point for Three Frames, a photography exhibition exploring personal stories, community and life in the city.
The exhibition will be on show at Change Grow Live’s Brighton service throughout Photo Fringe, offering visitors a chance to see Brighton through the eyes of people with lived experience of recovery.
In September, the eight participants worked with photographer Tolly Robinson in a series of workshops, learning photography techniques and how to tell stories through images. Many were picking up a camera for the first time.
The result is a collection of triptychs – sets of three photographs built around the themes of object, people and place. The stories are varied, from one woman’s playful view of the world through the eyes of a regal cat to images exploring the sense of safety that can come from community and supported accommodation. Together, the photographs offer glimpses of the people, places and experiences that shape life in Brighton.
For David Garrett, Service Manager at Change Grow Live, the project is about more than learning a new creative skill. It’s also about the confidence that comes from making something of your own.
“Learning how to tell your story and, sometimes, finding new ways to tell it is central to our shared experience. Projects like this help people develop creative confidence: the confidence to explore, experiment and create for themselves rather than for the approval of others.
There is particular value in being able to stand back, look at something you have made and feel satisfaction before anybody else offers likes or comments. That moment of ownership and self-discovery means photography has the potential to be a powerful tool in addiction recovery.”
Three Frames will be exhibited on Saturdays until Saturday 31 October 2026 at Brighton and Hove Recovery Service, Richmond House, Richmond Road, Brighton, BN2 3FT.
Image above: The Emperor, Caesar the cat, GC, September 2026
Finding Safety by Juniper McBurnie
Juniper chose to explore safety in her work. Covering both the sense of belonging at events like Dyke Pride and the support offered by living at the YMCA, her work explores community and the sense of home.
Image: Juniper’s Keys to her flat, Juniper McBurnie, September 2026
The Beauty in Brighton by Cam Fulker
Cam set out to use his camera to find the beauty in Brighton, his hometown.
Cam waited until dusk to take these photos, which show the city bathed in evening light. Taken at the tail end of one of the hottest summer on records, they feature Cam’s friends, as well as Brighton’s parks.
Image: Cam’s friends on a summer’s evening, Cam Fulker, September 2026