Mind Your Step – and there’s an intentional pun there. Because Barbara Leatham, founder of Barbara Leatham Photography and ‘The Business Lens’, has launched a monthly photography walking event. It’s aim, networking aside, to raise money for Wiltshire Mind.
Barbara came up with the idea of a monthly walking activity for businesses and business owners across Wiltshire to support mental wellbeing. And also to form a ‘visual’ eye to develop photography skills using their smartphones, tablets or cameras.
“’Steps With Purpose’ is my way to support people one mindful step at a time,” said Barbara who lives in Tilshead near Devizes.
It”ll get business people out of their workspace. Then they’ll get time outside, be with like-minded people, and, I trust, learn something new. I want them to start to see the visual potential in the everyday environment. Whether that’s a full vista or a small detail, everything has the possibility to tell a story.’
Opportunity knocks
Being business owners, it’s also an excellent opportunity to do a little networking. And find support from people who are on a similar journey.’
Barbara is encouraging participants to bring a camera or smartphone to join Barbara on her Steps with Purpose event.
‘When taking part, I’ll advise how to take photographs for people’s businesses. It’ll produce a personal gallery of images that they can use for their work, social media, marketing or blogging. It’s invaluable.
This project will raise money for Wiltshire Mind. That’s a local mental health charity which supports people experiencing distress, anxiety and other mental health issues throughout Wiltshire. It provides one-to-one counselling to anyone aged over eleven years old.
Wiltshire Mind
Paul Mills, Chief Executive Officer of Wiltshire Mind, commented on Barbara’s new project.
‘Wiltshire Mind is an independent mental health and wellbeing charity, offering support across our county. We rely on our fantastic community to raise funds for us, enabling us to provide counselling and support groups to adults and young people. Connecting with nature is a key step to improved wellbeing. And Barbara’s ‘Steps with Purpose’ project will not only provide important wellbeing support but also a crucial fundraising stream. Thus ensuring more people can benefit from mental health and wellbeing support.’
These monthly events will be happening across Wiltshire. They’ll take place on Tuesdays and alternate between morning and afternoon excursions.
‘I love teaching, so helping another person and helping raise money for a local charity is brilliant,’ commented Barbara. ‘It won’t matter if I have one person come or twenty, if I can help someone as well as do what I love and pay it forward, it will be soup for the soul for me.’
The first is Tuesday 17th June from 10am to 12-noon at Coate Water Country Park, Swindon.
To partake in the event, Barbara encourages each participant to bring a £10 donation every event for Wiltshire Minds.
Further dates
- Tuesday 15th July, 1pm to 3pm in Devizes, Wiltshire.
- Tuesday 16th September, 10am to 12-noon at Savernake Forest.
Further information contact Barbara at stepswithpurpose@btinternet.com
Thank you for sharing this Angela, I’m a little nervous to do my first one, but hoping it will help make a difference.
A pleasure Barbara. I’ve seen that there’s lots of interest in the idea on social media so I’m sure it’ll be fab!
Well done.