Summary

‘PEEL’ is an exploration of self-identity.

Social media, self-expression and self-identity present growing problems for young people, and there is growing evidence that this pressure is contributing more and more to mental health issues. Trying to establish a true identity, whilst finding themselves within a ‘selfie’ culture of carefully curated Facebook and Instagram lives, has never been harder.

The PEEL project and training programme works with groups of young people, and uses photography and poetry to help them explore their identity and who they are rather than just focussing on what they look like.

Launched in London Fashion week in 2017, the exhibition and book were the culmination of a three-year study, that has acted as the foundation and prototype for the training programme.

The PEEL project has been developed into curriculum based resources to enable educators and service providers to run the programme independently. We are working with delivery partners to ensure that PEEL is free for the participant at the point of delivery.