In the Rotherham project, photographer Nathan Gibson worked with a group of young men from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds (Pakistani, Yemeni, Afghan and White British). Participants were aged between 12 and 16, and were involved in youth projects at Rotherham United Community Sports Trust. The project aimed to use photography as a means of exploring identity and to investigate themes related to the ethics of representation, informed by the participants’ first-hand experience of living in Rotherham.

The young men wanted to visit places new to them. They explored the town on foot and by minibus, visiting the town centre, the surrounding countryside and places of special interest, such as a local castle. During the photography sessions, the young men highlighted:

• • the things they liked about Rotherham (football, interaction between communities, the importance of particular clothing within certain religious contexts, a love of nature and the rural environment);

• • challenges they found concerning (an awareness of racism and violence within the town);

• • their hopes for the future.

An awareness of tensions within the town and an enthusiastic appreciation of multicultural cohesion were repeatedly expressed by participants, and the diverse backgrounds of the young men were reflected in discussions during the sessions. The project allowed a space for those taking part to reflect on their perceived place within Rotherham, and highlighted that while there are elements of the town that they found problematic, there was also, in friendship and diversity, much to celebrate.

In reflective sessions following the photography trips, the group put photos on the wall and talked about their images, highlighting that the young men viewed their identity within the town as multifaceted, along many parallel and intersecting lines related to ethnic and religious identity, age, gender, community history, roots and geographical location. They displayed an extensive and detailed knowledge of different cultures within the town, and were able to openly discuss the differences and similarities they shared with one another. A youth centre provided the space for these discussions to happen outside the context of school, and the photographs produced acted as a visual catalyst for interactions that may not have happened otherwise.