As part of Carers Week 2022, ICE partnered with Cheshire East Carers Hub to create a powerful graphic scribe video that celebrated carers of all ages. While the week shines a light on those who care, this project went further by sharing real stories through graphic scribing for community engagement.

As a result, it gave carers a visual platform to express their experiences with authenticity and impact.

Live visual storytelling that captures real experiences

Building on our research into the experiences of young carers, the graphic scribing Cheshire East Carers Week project used live illustration to portray the emotions, challenges and moments of strength that carers shared. Additionally, the creative process helped transform spoken stories into meaningful visuals that reflect the reality of caring during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Through real-time drawing, the video brings these stories to life. It highlights the resilience, compassion and adaptability that carers demonstrate every single day. Furthermore, it represents carers of different ages and backgrounds, ensuring everyone had space to share their journey in their own words.

Helping people recognise themselves as carers

Many people provide unpaid care to a friend or family member without ever seeing themselves as “carers.” Consequently, they may not access the support available to them. By using graphic scribing and visual facilitation, the project helped people recognise their role more clearly. It also encouraged them to explore the services, networks and community support designed to help them thrive.

Why graphic scribing makes engagement more human

At ICE, we believe graphic recording is far more than illustration. Instead, it is a powerful tool for building understanding and creating inclusive conversations. When people see their words captured visually, something changes — connections strengthen, empathy grows and stories feel seen as well as heard.

Moreover, live visual storytelling makes engagement more memorable. Because people can revisit and share the visuals, the messages resonate long after the event has ended.

Turning stories into visuals that drive action

This project demonstrates how graphic scribing for community engagement can bring depth and humanity to public engagement, behavioural insight and health communication. Whether you want to capture lived experience, spark meaningful conversation or make research findings more accessible, visual storytelling can make a lasting difference.

If you’d like to explore how graphic scribing can enhance your next community, health or insight project, get in touch with our Creative Team. Together, we can turn stories into visuals that inspire understanding, and action.

What is graphic scribing for community engagement?

Graphic scribing for community engagement is the use of live illustration to capture conversations, stories and insights in real time, making experiences more visible, memorable and inclusive.

How did ICE use graphic scribing during Cheshire East Carers Week?

ICE created a live graphic scribe video with Cheshire East Carers Hub to amplify carers’ voices, illustrate their lived experiences and help people recognise their caring role through visual storytelling.

Here is some previous Graphic scribes we’ve delivered.

Heres a video of some previous work.

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