Martin De L a HayeMartin De La Haye - Chair
I became a member of the Media Workshop after doing a basic darkroom course. After this I started to volunteer and became a director. It’s a role that I’m happy to help with and it’s mainly about supporting the staff wherever possible and in helping the Media Workshop to continue to evolve and grow.

There are bi-monthly directors meetings where we review the budget, policies and support grant applications and we have to make sure that reports are made to our funders and statutory organisations. As chair of the directors I aim to conduct this business in the same open and friendly manner that you experience as a member or when you walk through the door as a visitor.

Ginny Levett Ginny Levett
I think this description of my role as a director is intended to be personal, so I’ll try to give some notion of what being a director of the Media Workshop has meant for me.Any volunteer tries to contribute what they think they can best offer. I have tried to put experience gained as a teacher, headteacher and lecturer to use for the Media Workshop. This has meant involvement in various things from proofreading to organising annual staff appraisals. Because I worked in the neighbourhood in which the MW is located, I hope I contributed knowledge of that locality.  For many years I was Chair of the Directors, and this meant being the first port of call for workers, and obviously chairing meetings. There are grants to be applied for and “outside” meetings to attend, and these have given me a chance to represent the workshop in the local arts and city scene.I have always been interested in photography, and so occasionally get more involved as a member, attending courses and improving my own media skills. I believe passionately in the work the Media Workshop does within the community of Southampton (and beyond) - giving low-cost access to media arts to so many local people. Long may the Media Workshop and my involvement with it continue!
Ajmer KhairaAjmer Khaira
I am from a teaching background and have been an employee of Southampton City council since 1984. In my current role as Home School Link Teacher I work very closely with Minority Ethnic Families through Schools and Early Years Centres in the central locality of the city. The Media Workshop Staff and Directors meet regularly, both in a business and social context throughout the year, to ensure a smooth running operation is maintained. As a Director I feel my role is that of a critical friend to support the superb work carried out by the dedicated staff. I have been able to use my links with the local schools and knowledge of the community to make a positive and meaningful contribution to the work of the Media Workshop.
Paul AllenPaul Allen
Paul recently joined the Board of Directors, and comes to us with some twenty years experience in photography and the creative industries. After a career as a freelance photographer and community arts practitioner, Paul became a borough council education officer before taking up his current post a lecturer at the Arts University College at Bournemouth. As such, Paul is able to contribute to the MW’s programme of activities through workshops and lectures, as well using his experiences to contribute to the discussions about the future of the Workshop. For Paul, joining MW is a recognition of photography’s ability to affect change at a local level, and an opportunity to join a successful community arts practice.
Brenda Moggridge Brenda Moggridge
The Media Workshop is a unique facility. Workers undertake a range of interesting projects and training which all aim to give people more control over their lives. Their useful and skilful work deserves the support of directors to guide and celebrate the achievements of the staff. Meetings take place in an atmosphere of warmth and humour as well as dealing with the serious stuff. You would be joining and supporting a very worthwhile organisation which deserves to thrive in the coming years
Marcia TaylorMarcia Taylor
I got my first camera when I was about 11 by collecting coupons on a Weetabix packet it was a Kodak with just two settings, sunny or cloudy.  I can’t even remember what I took pictures of.Now I like to take pictures of structures and shadows, I do a lot of macro or close-up work so you might not even know hat the subject was.I have gone from using the darkroom to use the digital computers and printer to be able to control the way my prints look.  I like to go to the Media Workshop to be around people with a similar interest and to discuss ideas.I volunteer as a director to have a say about what goes on, so that as a member I can contribute ideas about how it’s run