Access Denied Photo Journal Showcase
Welcome to the Access Denied Digital Photojournal!This collection was created by the Young Black Men (YBM) Research Collective as part of the “Access Denied” project — a community-led exploration of how young Black men experience the healthcare system.Each photo captures more than just an image — it holds a feeling, a moment, or a truth. Through these visual reflections, the co-researchers share personal insights into the realities they face, and the changes they hope to see.Using photovoice as their method, the collective invites you to look, listen, and reflect — not just on what’s been shared, but on what needs to be done.
Mo
"When I took this image it reminded me how stressful it can be when calling an ambulance for someone who is injured and sometimes even dealing with the phone operators at 999 can cause more stress and not make you want to use emergency services unless you really need to."
"This was a photo when I was waiting at the urgent treatment centre in Royal London Hospital. I went in after waiting for 1 hour in A&E and then was told to wait in Urgent Treatment where I spent an additional 5 hours, all for them to say it was a bad sprain and I should rest for a few days.
I believe this is the main reason why I avoid going to the hospital as much as possible and another reason why I try to avoid going to any appointments"
Osama
"This wrist band they give you makes you feel like a statistic and another young black male that they categorise as a number, it feels similar to the jail system where you are also given a number that they use to identify you."
"Getting a random message like this as you go about your day might be one of the most worrying things you can experience. For something that has been worrying me for a long time now and for the NHS to send a cold text message without any more details, no timeline really shows you how insensitive they are."
"Sitting in the waiting room for that long let’s you see a lot of people come and go and it makes you wonder what happens to these people because some people’s situation is worse than others and sitting there also makes you realise the lack of a proper system in the A&E as you should never have to wait that long to be seen in your time of crisis."
"Again with something this serious for them to not even give me an update and just say I’ve been booked in all the way in September for a bunch of tests really scares me because it is a serious condition and for them to not give me any more information as to whether I have it or what the reasoning is for these tests and for them to just book it so far in advance really worries me."
Jama
"This photo conveys how life is precious and can be taken away at any moment with no warning."
"This picture captures the trouble and stress that is caused by overbearing dentist receptionists that continuously bombard patients with unrealistic expectations of making it to an appointment within a 5 minute window or risk have your appointment rescheduled to any point in the unforeseeable future."
Yusuf
"The building reminded me of the importance of our health."
"Very vague form to complete after failing to book an appointment. It’s taken a lot longer than it should have done. Although it should provide accessibility by being online its failed to do so. Overall very frustrated."
"This really got me frustrated"
"Waiting times are just absurd"
Saeed
"This shows how busy the hospitals are, it can perpetuate someone’s anxiety."
"I called the ELFT mental health services and they didn't even pick up."
"Not a negative photo today, the reminder is very helpful but the day before would be better."
"Most people have Private number (NO Caller ID ) automatically silenced, also I have very bad service in my council house so calls don’t even come through, sometimes a Zoom call or something over Wi-Fi would be better."