Canon gives back via Young People Programme

As part of Canon’s ongoing commitment to deliver meaningful social value in communities across the UK, it recently supported one the London Borough of Redbridge by hosting two impactful Canon Young People Programme storytelling workshops at Caterham High School and The Forest Academy in Ilford. These sessions empowered students to explore critical global issues through the lens of photography and storytelling.

At Caterham High School, the workshop focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) 5: Gender Equality and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Led by Canon Ambassador and visual storyteller Ian Hippolyte, the 23 Year 10 students and four A-level mentors created powerful portraiture and symbolic imagery that championed equality and inclusion. They explored how visual media can be used to challenge stereotypes and amplify underrepresented voices.

Meanwhile, at The Forest Academy, Canon Ambassador and wildlife photographer Ellie Rothnie guided 30 Year 10 students and five A-level mentors in a hands-on biodiversity storytelling workshop. Aligned with UNSDG 15: Life on Land, students captured the living species and natural world around their school grounds – transforming local nature into meaningful visual narratives.

As part of the experience, students had the opportunity to use Canon’s state-of-the-art mirrorless cameras, including the EOS R6 and R8, alongside a wide range of camera lenses spanning zoom, macro to wide-angle landscape. Their final images were printed on Canon photo printers; Pixma TS8750 and Selphy CP1500, giving them a tangible takeaway that celebrated their creative efforts and storytelling skills.

This initiative showcases Canon’s approach to demonstrating how its imaging and print technologies work hand in hand to deliver both business value and community impact. While Canon provides the London Borough of Redbridge with its print infrastructure, it also delivers on its social value commitments through education and youth engagement programmes like CYPP.

Through CYPP, Canon has reached over 7750 young participants across more than 30 countries, working with over 50 charity partners to provide education, equipment and platforms for youth storytelling.

Visit here for more about the Canon Young People Programme: Empowering the next generation – Canon UK