Food Insecurity & Wellbeing: Collage and Visual Arts Workshop
Friday, 06 November 2026 at 17:00
Join us for a free, interactive arts and collage workshop exploring food insecurity, wellbeing, and our relationships with food and our bodies during the cost-of-living crisis.
Event details
Book here
What’s on offer?
Join us for a free, interactive arts and collage workshop exploring food insecurity, wellbeing, and our relationships with food and our bodies during the cost-of-living crisis.
Through photography and collage-making, you will be invited to reflect creatively on themes including food access, care, nourishment, eating, body acceptance, and wellbeing. The workshop will begin with a short introduction to food insecurity, wellbeing, and our related research. You’ll then explore and photograph everyday food-related objects connected to themes such as care, comfort, access, and scarcity. Using your photographs alongside magazines, packaging, paper, and other creative materials, you’ll create your own A4 collage. The session will finish with optional sharing, reflection, and a chance to view the artworks created together.
No previous experience of photography or collage-making is needed, and all materials will be provided. Light refreshments will also be available.
What’s it about?
Food insecurity is about more than simply having enough food. Worrying about accessing or affording food can also affect wellbeing, mental health, eating behaviours, and how people relate to food and their bodies.
Our research at the University of Exeter explores the relationship between food insecurity and eating disorder risk during the current cost-of-living crisis. This workshop offers a creative way to engage with these issues through photography, reflection, and collage.
Who’s leading the event?
The event will be led by photographer and artist Carli Adby-Notley, who will facilitate the participatory photography and collage elements of the workshop using a trauma-informed approach. Carli brings over 14 years of commercial and community-based experience, with a practice rooted in storytelling, inclusivity, identity, and creating safe spaces for authentic visual expression.
The event is organised and co-facilitated by Dr Akansha M. Naraindas and Dr Fidan Turk from the University of Exeter, whose research explores food insecurity, eating behaviours, and eating disorder risk.
Who is it open to?
The workshop is open to anyone aged 18 or over with an interest in food insecurity, the cost-of-living crisis, wellbeing, or creative approaches to exploring social issues.
We welcome members of the public as well as professionals, students, researchers, and people working or volunteering in relevant community settings.
No previous knowledge of the topic or experience with art, photography, or collage is required.
Who might be particularly interested?
The workshop may be particularly relevant to:
- Members of the public interested in food insecurity, wellbeing, or the cost-of-living crisis
- People with lived or community experience of food insecurity
- Health, mental health, and social care professionals
- People working or volunteering in community organisations, food provision, or food support
- Education professionals and those supporting young people
- Students and researchers interested in food insecurity, eating behaviours, wellbeing, or creative research methods
Event Booking details: Attendance is free, but advance booking is required as places are limited to 20 participants.
Scheduling information: For any questions about scheduling, venue access, or the event, please contact Akansha at: a.m.naraindas@exeter.ac.uk
Event booking deadline: 31st October
Organiser
Translational Funding
Location
Creative Quadrant, Streatham Court