This World Diabetes Day [14th November], Diabetes UK Northern Ireland is set to unveil a unique photography exhibition that captures the views of children and young people living with type 1 diabetes. Delivered in partnership with Belfast Exposed, ‘Type 1 Through the Lens’ shines a light on the often-misunderstood condition which is typically diagnosed in children at a young age.
The collection, which has been carefully compiled by members of the charity’s Northern Ireland youth programme ‘Our Lives Our Voices’, over a period of 5 months, provides a snapshot into the world of living with type 1 diabetes as a young person in Northern Ireland.
‘Type 1 Through the Lens’ will be open to members of the public for viewing at Belfast Exposed in the city’s Cathedral Quarter, starting from the official opening night, November 14th 6.30-9pm, and will run to November 18th.
Commenting on the exhibition, Sam Cormack, Youth Coordinator at Diabetes UK Northern, said: "We are really excited to share this project with members of the public as it offers such a powerful insight into the world of diabetes through the eyes of a young person.
“Type 1 diabetes is an incredibly relentless condition and sometimes that aspect can be hard for people not living with it or affected by it to understand. I really commend the young people for all their hard work, and for being so honest and open in capturing their perspectives.
“It has been wonderful to work alongside them during this project and watch their creativity and experiences really shine through. If you would like to learn more about the exhibition, we would love to see you at the launch where we will be joined by the young people and their families to celebrate their achievements and collection of images."
Deidre Robb, CEO of Belfast Exposed, said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be working alongside Diabetes UK in Northern Ireland to provide a vehicle that has allowed these young people to express themselves and bring their stories and experiences to life.
"Throughout this programme, the prevailing message was clear that they wanted this exhibition to remove some of the stigma around diabetes and provide that human face and voice to the condition that will hopefully allow the general public, their wider circles, even friends and family, to better understand what life is like with diabetes, and we hope as many as people as possible will take the opportunity to visit this week-long exhibition."
The multi-award-winning Belfast Exposed is a non-profit organisation founded in 1983 and is Northern Ireland's leading photographic centre with a mission to enrich people's lives through artistic expression through the medium of photography.
