MyLondon is a project which has a goal of empowering people affected by homelessness through a contest run every summer.
The 2024 MyLondon contest was in early July, when 100 Fujifilm QuickSnap single-use film cameras were given out at St Paul's Cathedral, London.
The cameras were returned seven days later and the film processed and photos printed.
This resulted in more than 2,100 photos being taken by 80 people who have lived experience of homelessness.
READ: MyLondon camera are out!
The project involves photography training, an exhibition and the printing and selling of calendars, greeting cards and photographs. The calendars are sold like a street newspaper, in that the vendor earns 50% of the sale price.
Participants, all of whom have been homeless, mainly come from art groups run by homelessness-sector organisations, including Crisis, St Mungo's, 240 Project, The Connection at St Martin's in the Field and more.
MYLONDON aims to:
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create a safe and social environment where participants feel comfortable and confident to artistically express themselves.
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inspire people affected by homelessness across London to create sustainable change in their lives through confidence building, learning new skills and social inclusion.
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increase understanding of the issues surrounding homelessness in a positive way.
We are supported in kind by The RPS, Fujifilm, Jessops and endorsed by Homeless Link, the umbrella charity for all UK Homelessness sector organisations. The project is self-funding from calendar sales and photograph rentals, and receives no government money.
The MyLondon calendar is a quality product - a real art calendar. The goal is to sell as many as we can and raise as much as we can for the participants who took the photos and sell the calendars.
ON NOW!
The 2025 MYLONDON calendar and greetings cards Crowdfunder will end on Sunday 29 September. Please help us hit the £10,000 target!
MyLondon photo archive
"Café Art has brought photography and the homeless together in a ground-breaking initiative that is bringing real benefit to those participating. The calendar itself brings direct support but, equally important, is the raising of self-esteem and confidence for those taking part. It is a small project but it is making a big difference."
Dr M Pritchard
The Royal Photographic Society