Lancaster firm teams up with photographer to use smartphones positively at work

A Lancaster company has created a 'Gratitude Gallery' to help staff notice the positives in everyday life.

ICS Accounting has turned everyday smartphones from distraction and stress enablers into the key to lifting the mood at work.

Participants take spontaneous smartphone snaps capturing informal moments of appreciation: a favourite view, savoured cup of coffee, or family dog-walk.

The accountancy firm, based at Lancaster Business Park off Caton Road, invited Ginny Koppenhol, professional photographer and former occupational therapist in NHS mental health services, to bring something different and meaningful to their employee welfare programme.

Ginny was inspired during lockdown to look for ways to use photography to promote mental health and positive wellbeing.

“It was clear people were struggling to cope and connect,” she said.

“By using our ever-present smartphones to capture positive micro-moments, we create space to breathe in the middle of our working lives- and train our minds to look for more of them.”

A year of rolling workshops coordinates with ICS’s existing Social Values programme, where inter-office teams work together on local volunteering, awareness and fund-raising projects.

“Understandably, some were unsure at first- I, too, was worried my pictures wouldn’t be ‘good enough!’” said Helen Callaghan, ICS Accounting HR Manager.

“But Ginny soon put everyone at ease.

"This isn’t about judgement, competition or the perfect photo, but simply capturing a moment. Sessions quickly become full of laughter, stories, and windows into one another’s lives.”

Favourite images chosen for printing now light up the office.

“The atmosphere is so much more congenial and supportive; people are sharing more of themselves, and the sense of connection across teams is stronger,” said Helen.

“Colleagues tell me they now take an extra moment on walks to look up at trees, the sky, hug their family, and feel much happier for it.

"This investment in our Gratitude Gallery shows how our directors value their staff: it’s already made such a positive difference beyond anything we envisioned at the start. I recommend it to everyone.”

Established in 2002, ICS Accounting specialise in providing accountancy and payroll solutions to support independent professionals, recruitment agencies and business owners. 

The company was recently placed in the top 25 of the prestigious Financial Times’ top 500 UK’s Best Employers.