Exploring PhotoVoice for Social Change with the UK Cabinet Office
- ReportOUT
- Sep 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 26
Earlier this month, Abbie and Chloe delivered a training session on PhotoVoice on behalf of ReportOUT to staff from the Office for Equality and Opportunity within the Cabinet Office, an important central government department.
"As a comms professional who works in equalities, I found ReportOUT's session invaluable. We learned how important it is for communities to be in control of their story and how it is told — in their own words and in their own terms." Marianne, Office for Equality and Opportunity, Cabinet Office
As part of ReportOUT’s wider commitment to inclusion and visibility, Abbie and Chloe introduced the OEO team to PhotoVoice—a powerful, participatory method of visual storytelling that enables individuals, particularly those from underrepresented or marginalised communities such as sexual and gender minorities, to tell their stories through photography.
“Through this training, participants were invited to think critically about how images are produced and interpreted,” Abbie explained, “and how participatory photography can be a tool for social justice.
"We explored how PhotoVoice not only offers a means for empowerment but also sheds light on inequalities in ways that are accessible, inclusive, and impactful.”
The session sparked meaningful dialogue and reflection, and Abbie and Chloe were incredibly grateful for the engagement and enthusiasm from everyone who took part.
Here’s what some participants had to say:
"As a comms professional who works in equalities, I found ReportOUT's session invaluable. We learned how important it is for communities to be in control of their story and how it is told — in their own words and in their own terms. Abbie and Chloe were fantastic speakers and myself and the team were so grateful to hear their insights." - Marianne Holt, Press Officer in the Office for Equality and Opportunity.
"I loved hearing about PhotoVoice's inspiring work, here at home and around the world. It was great to learn how they got started and also the care, consideration and passion they put into their projects.
"I also really enjoyed thinking and talking about the example images they presented - it really brought home to me that, in our ever more visual world, there is so much that a picture is silent on, and how important it is to understand its context." - Anna Thompson, Deputy Director in the Office for Equality and Opportunity.
"As a photographer and leader of a photography team, I found the training truly insightful. It was refreshing to put myself in the shoes of those interpreting an image instead of being the person taking it, and really reconsider how photos are perceived. Our team's approach to taking photos will definitely be all the better for it!" - Gabby, Digital Communications Lead at Office for Equality and Opportunity.
Abbie added, "We’re so thankful to the OEO team for creating space for this important conversation—and for recognising the power of Photovoice!".
