Doubleclick’s Karl nominated for Volunteer of the Year

Karl Wainwright is passionate about photography. It’s a passion he’s been sharing with trainees at Doubleclick who have been tapping into his expertise in the photography sessions Karl runs as a volunteer. But as the group sessions have evolved into more targeted support for individuals, Karl is also reaping the rewards of sharing his skills. Another recent ‘reward’ has come in the form of a much-deserved nomination for the FLVC’s Volunteer of the Year.

As well as feeling proud of everyone’s efforts and progress, Karl feels he is vicariously benefiting from the trainees’ experiences – and it has taken him by surprise.

“The past few years have had a significant impact on me emotionally and has enabled me to reflect on things. I’ve always wanted to encourage and support people but I don’t really see this as teaching, I’m sharing a passion,” he says.

Karl’s aim is for people to use the skills they already have then help develop their enthusiasm for photography.

“I was initially tasked with getting people to a point where all their aspirations were met and then for them to go on to something else,” says Karl, who teaches people how to shoot. What they actually shoot is up to the trainee.

“The aim is for them to be doing as much in their own time as they can, so they come to Doubleclick to edit and look for tips to improve,” says Karl.

“I explain things to them in layman’s terms and don’t over-complicate things. It’s a case of stripping it back.

“Doubleclick is where you try to make contact and breakthroughs for people,” he adds. “It’s about allowing people to take the next steps, building their confidence and self-esteem.”

Karl knows first-hand what it’s like to face challenges as he is severely visually impaired because of a genetic condition. It means he has no peripheral vision, no depth of field, and his field of vision currently ends at about three feet. He is also coping with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).

“Because I’m visually impaired I’ve been on a journey myself, so they’re not talking to someone who doesn’t understand. I can empathise with them from a personal point of view,” Karl explains.

Encouraged by Karl and the Doubleclick team, some photography trainees have moved on to college and are paying it forward, carrying on the Doubleclick ethos and helping others with their own studies.

Karl is humbled by the effect one-to-one training has had on some of the trainees. “I do it to help them and to get them to where they want to be. So when someone thanks me I remind them it’s really all them,” he says.

“But the impact on me has been quite profound because the photography group was one thing, but this is very, very different.

“You wouldn’t think you’d get so much joy from helping people, but it’s such a wonderful feeling.”

Doubleclick often has volunteering opportunities. If you can offer a little of your time to support our team, please get in touch.