A City That Sees Me
Inclusive Photography Project
A City That Sees Me is an inclusive photography project delivered by Stepping Stones NI in partnership with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, celebrating what inclusion looks like in everyday life.
Through photography and storytelling, our participants with learning disabilities share their experiences of living, working, and being part of a community that sees their skills, values their contribution, and supports them to thrive.
Our participants took part in creative workshops that focused on building confidence and skills while capturing images that reflect what inclusion means to them. These will be showcased in a public exhibition at Navigation House on 21st May, coinciding with Global Accessibility Day.
The exhibition will include:
- Opportunities to meet participants and hear their stories
- Audio content accessed via QR codes
- Interactive elements encouraging visitors to reflect
By bringing people together in shared spaces, the project aims to challenge perceptions, break down barriers, and promote a more inclusive society where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.
Meet Our Photographers...
Aaron enjoys keeping busy and spending time with his family and friends. He attends the Bloom Group at Stepping Stones NI, where he has built strong connections and gained valuable experience. He has also worked at the Courtyard Café and enjoys being part of a team.
With support from Stepping Stones NI, Aaron volunteers at Habitat ReStore and has a paid job delivering post with Royal Mail. Through his work and volunteering, Aaron feels included by contributing to his community, meeting people, and doing a good job.
Aaron says that inclusion means “feeling part of a team and feeling valued to do a good job.” His favourite thing about Stepping Stones NI is the people and the sense of connection he feels there.
The photographs Aaron has chosen show some of the places and activities that make him feel included in society. From volunteering at Habitat ReStore, to working as a postman, to drumming with friends at the Bloom group at Navigation House. Each image reflects the importance of friendship, purpose, teamwork, and belonging in Aaron’s life.
Callum is extremely passionate about motorbikes and enjoys watching motorbike racing and attending motorbike events with his dad. Being part of the motorbike community is something that brings him great happiness and excitement.
When asked what he enjoys most in life, Callum says, “I love being a cousin and spending time with my cousin Sam, motorbike racing and Leeds Football Club.” Family is very important to Callum, and he loves spending quality time together, having fun, and making memories.
For Callum, inclusion means feeling happy, welcomed, and noticed by others. He says he feels included when he is part of the motorbike community because people speak to him, involve him in conversations, and make him feel part of what is happening around him.
The photographs Callum has chosen reflect the people, places, and experiences that help him feel connected and included in society. Through his love of motorbike racing, football, and family life, Callum’s images show the importance of community, friendship, and shared interests.
David’s favourite hobby is badminton, which he enjoys taking part in every week. He feels extremely proud of his achievements in the sport, having won several trophies and medals. For David, badminton is not only about competition, but also about spending time with friends, staying active, and being part of a team.
David says, “I love feeling part of the community and I feel part of the Stepping Stones NI community learning new things and being with my friends. Everyone makes me feel very included. I love working at the Courtyard Café and I feel really proud of the work that I do.”
David enjoys learning new skills, spending time with others, and being involved in activities that give him confidence and purpose. He also loves being outdoors, enjoying nature, visiting parks, and spending time at Navigation House, where he appreciates the peaceful surroundings and natural environment.
For David, inclusion means feeling welcomed, valued, and supported by the people around him. The photographs he has chosen reflect the places, activities, and friendships that help him feel connected to his community and proud of who he is.
Ellen loves learning new things and is always curious about the world around her. She has a particular interest in languages and recently enjoyed learning some French. One of her favourite experiences was sharing what she had learned by teaching French words and phrases to her friends in the Bloom Group at Stepping Stones NI.
Ellen also loves spending time outdoors and exploring on walks with her family and at Navigation House. She has a keen interest in nature, especially bugs and wildlife, and enjoys discovering and learning more about the natural world.
For Ellen, inclusion is about connection, learning together, and feeling listened to. She says it is important to her that people take an interest in the things she enjoys and listen to what she has learned. This makes her feel valued and important, and she enjoys helping others learn too.
The photographs Ellen has chosen reflect the places, people, and interests that help her feel included in society. Through learning, sharing knowledge, spending time in nature, and connecting with others, Ellen’s images celebrate curiosity, friendship, and belonging.
Esther loves working at the Courtyard Café, where she enjoys helping to serve customers and bringing food to their tables. She feels very proud of the work she does and loves making customers smile and feel welcome. Being part of the café team gives Esther a strong sense of purpose and belonging.
One of Esther’s favourite memories was a special day at the café when the U105 Frank Mitchell Show was broadcast live from the venue. Esther loved meeting Frank Mitchell and enjoyed discovering that her mum had gone to the same school as him. She felt valued and included because Frank took the time to listen to her and showed a genuine interest in their conversation.
Friendships are also very important to Esther, and she says she has made some of her best friends through Stepping Stones NI. Spending time with friends, chatting, and sharing experiences helps her feel connected and supported.
Another activity Esther enjoys is walking her dog. She loves getting outdoors, being part of the community, and saying hello to other dog walkers she meets along the way.
For Esther, inclusion means feeling listened to, valued, and connected to the people around her. The photographs she has chosen reflect the activities, friendships, and community connections that help her feel happy, confident, and included in society.
Gary’s biggest passion is Liverpool FC, and he loves feeling part of the football community that surrounds the club. He believes Liverpool FC is very good at supporting people in the community and helping those in need, which is something that is very important to him. Supporting the team gives Gary a strong sense of connection and belonging.
Gary also loves attending Stepping Stones NI, which he describes as “a big family.” The friendships, support, and sense of togetherness he experiences there make him feel included and valued every day.
One of Gary’s favourite activities is bowling. He enjoys going out with friends, having fun, and taking part in competitions alongside other people from Stepping Stones NI. For Gary, bowling is a great way to connect with others and enjoy being part of a team.
Navigation House is another place that is very special to Gary. Through the Bloom classes, he has discovered a new passion for gardening and horticulture. He enjoys learning new skills and getting involved in the physical work in the garden, which gives him a real sense of achievement and purpose.
For Gary, inclusion means being part of a community where people support each other, work together, and make everyone feel welcome. The photographs he has chosen reflect the places, people, and activities that help him feel connected, valued, and proud to be part of his community.
Katrine loves fashion, holidays, music, and attending exciting events such as Belfast Giants games. She enjoys getting dressed up, going out, dancing, and spending time with other people. Being part of lively events and shared experiences brings Katrine great happiness and confidence.
Music is especially important to Katrine because it makes her feel good and allows her to express herself. She loves going to shows, enjoying the atmosphere, and joining in
with the fun, music, and dancing alongside everyone else. Katrine says that being part of these experiences helps her feel included and gives her a sense of freedom and joy.
Katrine enjoys meeting people and feels happiest when she is doing things with others. She loves the energy and excitement of live events, especially the feeling of everyone coming together to support, celebrate, and enjoy themselves as a community.
Odhrán’s passion is GAA, and he loves going to watch Down matches with his dad. He enjoys the sense of connection he feels with other fans and being part of the wider community that comes together to support the team. These shared experiences are very important to him and make him feel included and engaged.
He also enjoys hiking with his dad and gets a strong sense of achievement from completing walks and reaching new places. Spending time outdoors in this way gives Odhrán the opportunity to challenge himself while also enjoying quality time with family.
Odhrán feels especially included when he meets GAA players and experiences the welcoming, community-focused spirit of the club. Family is very important to him, and he also values the friendships he has made at Stepping Stones NI, which have helped build his confidence and sense of belonging.
He enjoys learning new skills and is proud of the confidence he has developed through participating in different activities. Odhrán also enjoys working at the Courtyard Café, where he engages with customers and staff and takes pride in being part of a team.
For Odhrán, inclusion means being active in his community, spending meaningful time with family and friends, and feeling confident in the roles he takes on. The photographs he has chosen reflect the activities, relationships, and experiences that help him feel valued, supported, and included in society.
Paul is a cameraman at his church, where he plays an important role in live broadcasting services around the world. He takes great pride in this responsibility and enjoys being part of a global church community, where his skills help connect people through shared worship and communication.
He enjoys learning new things at Stepping Stones NI and values the opportunity to take part in activities and experiences alongside others. One of the things Paul appreciates most is sharing these experiences with his brother Simon, with whom he has a close and supportive relationship.
At home, Paul enjoys cooking for Simon and likes creating new recipes for them to enjoy together. Cooking is something he takes pride in and uses as a way to care for others and share time with family.
Paul also enjoys taking part in Stepping Stones NI events, where he is confident in leading and showing initiative during group activities. He likes being active, involved, and contributing to the success of group experiences.
For Paul, inclusion means being trusted, having responsibility, and being able to share experiences with others in meaningful ways. The photographs he has chosen reflect his family connections, his role in the church community, his creativity in cooking, and his active participation in Stepping Stones NI.
Simon loves the outdoors and enjoys learning new things. He has a strong interest in gardening and nature, and takes pride in volunteering to cut grass, maintain trees, and help clear parkland areas. Being active outdoors gives Simon a sense of purpose and connection to the environment around him.
He enjoys spending time at Navigation House, where he helps look after the site and takes part in activities that support mindfulness and wellbeing. Simon finds value in being part of a calm, natural setting where he can contribute and feel involved.
Simon also enjoys working on the computer and is always keen to develop new skills. He is proud of achieving qualifications and learning new things, and he is particularly proud of his strong attendance and commitment, never missing the classes he takes part in.
Family is very important to Simon, and he has a close relationship with his brother Paul. He values the bond they share and enjoys doing activities together through Stepping Stones NI. Simon is also skilled at picture framing and takes pride in the quality of his work.
For Simon, inclusion means feeling connected, learning continuously, and being part of a supportive community. The photographs he has chosen reflect the friendships, learning, nature, and shared experiences that help him feel included as part of the Stepping Stones NI family.
Peter’s favourite thing to do is visit garden centres with his mum and enjoy a coffee together. He loves being outdoors, looking at the plants, and spending time in the peaceful surroundings of the garden centres. Being outside helps Peter feel calm, relaxed, and connected to nature.
Peter also enjoys reading and often likes to sit outdoors with a book, especially when the sun is shining. He enjoys spending time at Navigation House, where he can relax, read, and appreciate the peaceful environment around him.
Through the Bloom Group at Navigation House, Peter has made great friendships and enjoys being part of group activities. One of his favourite experiences has been learning circus skills, where he enjoys trying new things, having fun with others, and feeling part of a team.
For Peter, inclusion means feeling connected, welcomed, and able to enjoy activities with other people while also having space to enjoy the things he loves. The photographs he has chosen reflect the friendships, peaceful places, and activities that help him feel happy, included, and part of his community.
Sarah loves taking part in activities and especially enjoys swimming. She is extremely proud of her achievements at the Rome Special Olympics, where she won two gold medals. Being part of the team and celebrating success together made Sarah feel truly included, recognised, and proud of her talent as a swimmer.
Sarah is very social and loves spending time with her family. She enjoys cooking and making cocktails at home when family and friends get together. Sarah loves trying new recipes and sharing the things she creates with others during social gatherings, which brings her great happiness and connection.
At Stepping Stones NI, Sarah enjoys getting involved in group activities, chatting with friends, and being part of the community. She is also talented at making wedding stationery at Pink Elephant and feels a real sense of pride in the work she creates. Knowing that her skills contribute to something special makes her feel valued and confident.
For Sarah, inclusion means being recognised for her talents, being part of a team, and sharing experiences with the people around her. The photographs she has chosen reflect the activities, friendships, achievements, and creative work that help her feel connected, confident, and included in society.
Sophie loves socialising and spending time with her friends. One of her favourite things to do is go on day trips and enjoy fun outings together, especially going out for ice cream. Sophie enjoys being part of activities where she can laugh, connect with others, and make happy memories with friends.
She also enjoys following the Belfast Giants and loves the excitement and atmosphere of live events. Being surrounded by people enjoying themselves together makes Sophie feel connected and included. She especially enjoys attending events with her friends and being part of the fun and energy of the crowd.
The friendships Sophie has made at Stepping Stones NI mean a lot to her. Through her time there, she has learned many new skills and gained confidence in trying new things.
Sophie is particularly proud of her picture framing skills, which she developed through opportunities at Stepping Stones NI.
For Sophie, inclusion means being able to take part, have fun with others, and feel connected through friendships and shared experiences. The photographs she has chosen reflect the people, places, and activities that bring her joy and help her feel included in her community.
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