A Walsoken man is staging a photography exhibition in memory of his brother who died unexpectedly two days after going into hospital for a routine operation.
The exhibition has been a healing process for Steve Hubbard, 48, who sank into depression and anxiety following the bereavement and used photography as a coping strategy.
Steve said: “Losing my little brother Martin two years ago was a shock, it hit me hard.
“On the Friday we were laughing and joking together as he went in for a routine operation, by Saturday he had been placed into an induced coma and on Sunday he died.
“Getting your head round that was hard. I suffered a nervous breakdown and used my hobby of snapping photos to get me out of the house and to cope.
“It gave me the motivation I needed to push myself out of my comfort zone. It would have been easy to stay indoors in my own little world, but taking photos was a great healer.”
At the beginning of this year Steve joined a support group called Toast and Toast 2 at the Queen Mary Centre where people get together for support and friendship surrounding mental illness.
Steve said: “People go along with their children, their dogs, with family or friends. It is a relaxed and friendly group where we all understand each other, talk about stuff, help each other.
“It really helps to talk. Mental illness is still a stigma but to get together every week is such a help.”
He also attends a group on Thursdays at the Oasis Centre, run by Cambs Mind.
“It’s through them and with their help that the exhibition came about,” he said.
The group encouraged him to get his photos printed off with the help of Lauren Brenmer along with flyers, printed by the Ferry Project.
• The exhibition is on Thursday (18) from 4 to 6pm at the Queen Mary Centre, Wisbech.
“It’s nerve wracking but also exciting to have an exhibition,” Steve said.
“All done in memory of Martin,” he added.
• Toast and Toast 2 support group is at the Queen Mary Centre, Wisbech on Fridays from 3.30pm to 5.15pm.
• Cambs Mind support is at the Oasis centre on Thursdays from 4.15 to 5.15pm.
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