Wellbeing and Photography with Photographer Vanessa Miles

Now if you want to see the World a little differently or would like to be in the moment and notice nature in all its beauty then today’s guest can help you achieve this. Vanessa Miles is a photographer and from a young age she had an early passion for the environment which led her to work as a photographer on a Greenpeace ship and then to set up the UK’s first independent picture agency in 1989, specialising in environmental issues. Her photography career has been varied but her passion for the environment has remained throughout. In 2020, largely as a response to the pandemic Vanessa created Well Image- a not for profit organisation using creative photography projects to improve wellbeing. The aims are very closely aligned to the NHS’s 5 steps to wellbeing which are well researched. They are; engage with nature, connect socially with others, practise being present, increase activity and learn a new skill. Through running live online photography workshops, Vanessa has discovered that the courses are having the greatest impact on those who are most isolated which includes those experiencing high level of anxiety, whatever the cause, long term health conditions or disability.Vanessa imparts some practical tips to help us get the most from our camera phones and we learn how taking photos whilst out can help us be mindful and in the moment whilst also benefiting from being out in nature and connecting socially.  In the Book Collective we continue reading Caitlin Moran’s, What About Men? We talk through chapters 9 & 10; did we find them enlightening? Find out or join in with our Book Club. Lou has some important fashion news straight off the Paris catwalk and it’s all about the merkin and Jinty quizzes us about a little known phenomenon, phantasia, the visualisation of imagery. Find out here where you are on the Minds eye scale https://aphantasia.com/study/vviq/In the WI find out how are running challenge is jogging along. Are you joining us? It’s another episode brimming with chat, your comments, and all the usual sweary shenanigans! So, settle in for this hour(ish) podcast full of meaningful chat. Stay in touch email us here [email protected] you’ve enjoyed our Podcast you may like to consider buying us a Ko-Fi at  https://ko-fi.com/womenkindcollectivepodcastHere you can find updates, photos and some inclusive content we won’t post anywhere else and your donation will help us ensure we continue to bring you great quality of content and sound.Our campaign for a Menopause Clinic in Devon is moving closer but we still need signatures on our petition: https://www.change.org/p/wheresmyclinicOr to send your testimonials please email us: [email protected] finally, if you would like the templates to send to your MP or CCG please visit our website: https://menopauseclinicfordevon.co.uk  Vanessa Miles:W: https://wellimage.co.uk/I: @well_imageF: Well ImageYou can watch the full unedited interview on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFgmHLcdx28eco-XlkWYwUA--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/womenkindcollectivepodcast/message☕ SUBSCRIBE for honest chats on women’s health, feminist issues, sisterhood & smashing the patriarchy, one cuppa at a time.💛 Enjoying the podcast? Please share, leave us a review or comment!If you would like to you can Buy us a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/womenkindcollectivepodcast💬 We love hearing from you, email us your ideas here Jinty & Lou @ [email protected]👀 Join us on instagram here https://www.instagram.com/womenkindcollective?igsh=ZmxmbGs2d3BjcXA1&utm_source=qr🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/womenkind-collective/id1557937820🎧 Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/42KniEtc5WGQhNvREsN1WP?si=e14a83c93a304bb3And all your favourite Podcast PlatformsThank you for Listening Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.