We’re so delighted to share with you details and photos from our Journeys project. A year in the planning, Journeys is about exploring the experiences of those impacted by organ donation and transplantation.
We wanted to know what these journeys are like. We know that each experience is unique. What an organ transplant looks and feels like to one person is different to another. So, how do you explore that complexity and, more importantly, how do you visualise it? As with most things in life, we turned to the Romans for help.
Romans in the ancient world didn’t have sophisticated mapping technology. They couldn’t launch a satellite and survey the land. Instead early Roman map makers would describe how a journey felt to travel rather than creating a geographically accurate chart. This was a lightbulb moment. A map! It could show a long journey and the events, the feelings and the thoughts that were experienced along the way.
We set to work finding participants and artists who could help our ideas come to life. We were fortunate to find Foundation Press, artists, designers and educators based in Newcastle who were enthusiastic about the project. Our participants shared their enthusiasm. We found transplant recipients, carers, researchers and a living donor who were happy to share their stories.
After a year of hard work, Journeys launched in January 2025 with a fantastic event at the first host venue, the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle upon Tyne. Professor Andy Fisher, BTRU in ODT Deputy Director, gave the welcoming address. He stressed the importance of incorporating the voices of those impacted by organ donation and transplantation into the BTRU’s work, not just its research but also its educational and engagement activities. Individual stories help the public to understand the full impact of these life-changing events.
The Journeys exhibition ran at the Great North Museum: Hancock until 27th April 2025 and we had some great feedback from visitors. Here are some of the wonderful Journeys maps created by children at our February half-term engagement event….
…and some of the maps and sculptures made during our Easter holiday event.
We’re also delighted with the zine produced to accompany the project and exhibition.
We’re now working hard to find a new home (or homes) for Journeys so that the project can live on and reach as many people as possible.
The project team would like to thank everyone involved in the Journeys project so far. Special thanks go to the Great North Museum: Hancock for their support and energy for the project and the exhibition.
