Our Values

Who we are and what we stand for

Photo 51 CIC exists to make the overlooked visible. That mission is inseparable from our values. We cannot bring communities into focus while tolerating the attitudes and systems that pushed them out of the frame in the first place. Everything we do, how we design programmes, who we employ, how we treat the people we work with, and how we hold ourselves accountable, is shaped by the values set out here.

These are not aspirations. They are commitments. We expect everyone working with or for Photo 51 CIC, including staff, volunteers, partners and contractors, to uphold them.

Zero tolerance

Photo 51 CIC has a zero-tolerance position on racism, discrimination and prejudice in any form. This is not a policy statement. It is a founding principle.

We will not tolerate:

• Racism, racial discrimination, or racially motivated behaviour of any kind
• Discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation
• Harassment, bullying, or intimidation directed at any person
• Language, behaviour, or attitudes that demean, exclude, or harm any individual or community
• Silence in the face of discrimination. We expect active challenge, not passive acceptance.

Any breach of this position, by staff, volunteers, partners or participants, will be taken seriously, investigated promptly and acted upon, in line with our Complaints Procedure. There are no exceptions.

1. Inclusion Without Compromise

We design everything we do with inclusion as a starting point, not an afterthought. Every person who walks through our door, regardless of background, ability, identity or circumstance, deserves to be seen, respected, and given a genuine way in.

• We actively remove barriers to participation for young people with SEND, including autism, ADHD and learning differences
• We welcome newly arrived young people, including refugees and asylum seekers, with culturally responsive practice
• We provide specialist provision for girls, women, and those impacted by adverse childhood experiences
• We never make assumptions about what someone can or cannot do based on who they are
• We incorporate a range of learning styles into our workshops to cater for different learners and keep everyone engaged

2. Anti-Racism in Action

Being anti-racist is not the same as being non-racist. We do not simply avoid racist behaviour. We actively challenge the systems, attitudes and structures that produce racial inequality. This shapes how we hire, how we programme, and how we show up every day.

• We centre the experiences and voices of Black, Asian and minoritised communities in our work
• We are committed to racial equity in our team, our partnerships and our delivery
• We name and challenge racism when we see it, in our own organisations and in the wider systems we operate in
• We continuously educate ourselves and do not treat anti-racism as a completed task

3. Dignity and Respect

Every person we work with, including young people, families, staff and partners, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. This is not conditional on behaviour, background or circumstance.

• We listen before we speak and seek to understand before we act
• We maintain professional boundaries that protect the people we work with
• We give honest feedback with care and without cruelty
• We do not tolerate disrespectful behaviour from anyone, in any direction

4. Community First

We are not outsiders delivering services to communities. We are part of the communities we work with. Our team brings lived experience, not just professional expertise, and that shapes everything we do.

• We build with communities, not for them
• We co-produce wherever possible, involving young people and community members in designing and running programmes
• We stay rooted in local context and use it as our primary reference point
• We measure success by the difference we make to real people, not by outputs alone

5. Creative Empowerment

We believe creativity is a practical tool for change, not a luxury or an add-on. We use film, music, storytelling and digital skills to build confidence, open opportunities, and give people a platform they might not otherwise have.

• We create spaces where people feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgement
• We celebrate effort, courage and authenticity, not just polish and perfection
• We use creativity to surface stories that mainstream systems overlook
• We connect creative skills directly to real-world opportunities

6. Safeguarding as a Value, Not a Procedure

The safety and wellbeing of every child and young person we work with is paramount. Safeguarding is not a compliance requirement to us. It is an expression of our values in action.

• We hold safeguarding at the centre of every programme, session and partnership
• We create environments where young people feel safe to be themselves and speak up if something is wrong
• We take every concern seriously and act on it without delay
• We are honest with young people about what we can and cannot keep confidential

7. Accountability and Transparency

We hold ourselves to the standards we set. When we fall short, and we will at times, we own it, learn from it, and do better. We do not protect the organisation at the expense of the people it serves.

• We document our work honestly, including what did not work
• We welcome feedback and act on it
• We are transparent with funders, partners and the communities we serve
• We review and update our values, policies and practices regularly

8. Wellbeing of Our Team

We cannot serve communities well if the people doing that work are not supported. We are committed to the wellbeing of every person who works with or for Photo 51 CIC.

• We are committed to fair pay and to advocating for fair pay across the sector as our capacity grows
• We support staff and volunteers to set healthy boundaries
• We take mental health seriously and create space for honest conversation
• We recognise that youth and community work can be emotionally demanding, and we hold each other through that

9. Every Voice Matters

We believe the best ideas can come from anywhere. Everyone we work with has a voice, and we take that seriously. Feedback and constructive criticism are not just welcomed, they are actively sought, because the people closest to our work are often best placed to improve it.

• We create space for participants, staff and partners to share honest feedback at every stage
• All feedback and constructive criticism is taken into consideration and acted on where possible
• We actively encourage new ideas from the young people and communities we serve
• We continuously look for new and innovative ways to improve and evolve what we do
• We believe the next generation has a vital role in shaping the services designed for them, and we invite them into that process

Our commitment

These values are adopted by all three founding partners of Photo 51 CIC and form the basis of how we recruit, partner, deliver and govern ourselves. We share this document publicly and invite the communities we serve to hold us to it.

If you believe we have fallen short of any of these values, we want to hear from you. Our Complaints Procedure sets out how to raise a concern and what will happen next. You can contact us at info@photo51.org.uk.