A photography group has been awarded a grant to be put towards tackling social exclusion caused by mental illness in the East End.

A photography group has been awarded a grant to be put towards tackling social exclusion caused by mental illness in the East End.

The Mindfulness Photography group, based at the Bromley by Bow Centre, in Bruce Road, Bow, received the £3,750 on world mental health day on Monday 10th October in order to buy print and photographic equipment for their members.

The grant was provided by VINCI UK Foundation to support the group which helps people overcome social isolation by providing a creative and social activity within the community.

Chris Staples, communications and community relations manager for Taylor Woodrow, VINCI UK’s civil engineering division, said he was delighted to support the photography group.

“As a keen photographer myself, I am looking forward to contributing to the valuable work being undertaken and seeing the enhanced support Mindfulness will be able to offer,” said Chris.

Gem Pritchard, group coordinator for Mindfulness Photography, said: “We are absolutely honoured that VINCI UK Foundation has chosen to support our group.

“At the moment the group’s equipment is extremely limited and funding very tight so it could not have come at a better time for us.

“We feel very blessed to be given this opportunity to run for a forth year and look forward to welcoming many more members to our group in the near future.”

Mindfulness Photography was set up by Gem in November 2013 and offers members weekly trips in and around London to keep them physically and socially active.

To learn more about the photography group visit mindfulnessphotography.org.