Photographer and journalist David Shaw has spent 18 months documenting everyday life in Jaywick, a community often defined by deprivation in the media, and his work has culminated in a youth storytelling programme and public exhibition.
Shaw initially walked from Clacton to Jaywick out of curiosity, where he met a local man known as Robbo. Robbo invited him to a karaoke night at the Broadway Club, and Shaw accepted. Introduced over the microphone as a journalist and Charlton supporter, Robbo jokingly told the crowd not to beat him up.
From chance meeting to long-term project
That evening marked the beginning of a deeper engagement. Shaw began talking to residents and discovered how proud they were of Jaywick, and how frustrated they had become with outsiders who focused only on deprivation. He decided to stay, buying a van and fitting it with a bed. Over the following 18 months, he photographed everything from weddings to the crowning of Miss Jaywick, attending far more karaoke sessions than he had anticipated.
The project evolved into the Jaywick Youth Visual Storytelling Programme, created in partnership with the Peter Marlow Foundation. Young people connected to Jaywick worked with professional photographers and media specialists, learning new skills and creating their own work about their home.
Youth voices take centre stage
Shaw emphasised that the young participants were not merely contributing to his project; they were encouraged to tell their own stories. The results were unveiled on Friday, August 21, at the Never Say Die pub on Broadway. From 7pm, the event featured an exhibition and screening, with the young photographers presenting their work. A special newspaper-style book was also launched at the event.
Robbo provided the karaoke for the evening, bringing the project full circle. Shaw's own book about Jaywick is scheduled for publication in early 2027.
Broader impact and future plans
The exhibition and book launch mark a significant step in shifting the narrative around Jaywick, showcasing the community's pride and creativity. The project's success suggests a model for other communities facing similar media stereotypes. Shaw's ongoing documentation and the youth programme's output will continue to provide an alternative perspective on life in Jaywick.
The full interview with Jo Bailey is available on phoenixfm.com.
