Theodore Young- BA (Hons) Photography
The village and the Angels
This project follows the people at the LGBT Foundation and their volunteering group, Village Angels. These dedicated volunteers walk the streets of the Gay Village ensuring that everyone is safe and able to enjoy their night. The project is both a celebration of the work they do and an effort to raise awareness that these organisations exist, so that those who need them know where to turn.
My vision was to explore the relationship between the volunteers and the night itself, examining how they move through and interact with that environment, and what their presence means to the people around them. Working in this space also presented challenges I had not previously encountered, namely finding the right balance between documenting honestly and knowing when not to raise the camera. Navigating that line was a valuable experience that deepened my understanding of the responsibility a photographer carries in sensitive environments, and opened my eyes to just how vital public safety initiatives are in spaces like the Gay Village.
Finally, a sincere thank you to the LGBT Foundation for welcoming me into their work and making this project possible.