Swindon & Wiltshire News
Photographer snaps veterans in charity collaboration
Wiltshire-based professional photographer Barbara Leatham is collaborating with local veterans’ charity Entrain Space to photograph former military personnel.
The former Royal Air Force photographer continued in the profession after her time in the military came to an end.
Now a professional photographer for more than 30 years, she has created The Business Lens, a photography training programme for businesses and other organisations.
On the launch of The Business Lens, Salisbury-based veterans’ charity Entrain Space reached out to Barbara and became the first group to seek her professional photography training services.
“I met Entrain Space in 2016, when it was a project to support armed forces veteran transition from the military to civilian life. It was a natural fit for me to get involved. Being ex-military myself, it never really leaves you although you leave it,” she said.
Entrain Space provides modern, self-contained flats for veterans and families alongside on-site welfare support, employment and enterprise training. They are designed as a stepping stone for veterans to feel confident going into civilian life. Barbara has been training veterans in the skill of professional photography.
“When you leave the forces, no matter if you have served a month or 39 years, it leaves its mark on you. When you serve you are part of a huge family and when you leave you can find yourself lonely or just missing the culture,” she said.
“Spending time with the team at Entrain Space gives me back a bit of that life. They do something unique and it makes a huge difference to the people who have used their services.”
Wiltshire has one of the highest military concentrations in the UK and in 2025, 16,000 active service personnel resided in the county, excluding families of these personnel. Wiltshire has the Salisbury Plain training area along with major Army bases in Tidworth, Bulford, Larkhill and Warminster.
When Barbara was in the Royal Air Force, her photography covered a variety of needs including VIP visits and initiating images that had the right narrative. Her professional training with Entrain Space’s team delved into these topics.
“I’m happy to spend time with anyone who has a passion for photography and would like to upskill – or just get out for some mental wellness,” she said.
Matthew Bell, founder of Entrain Space, said: “Barbara has been with us from the very beginning of our journey and has documented all our key moments with skill and aplomb; she also has great empathy for our veteran cohort as a veteran herself, and this comes across in her enthusiasm. We love working with her!”
In 2019, Barbara photographed the official opening of Entrain Space when HRH Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, then Countess of Wessex, cut their ribbon.
“Every year I cover at least one big event for them, it’s great to see how far they have come, how well the residents are doing and hear what their future plans are. I have been one of many who have been part of their journey so far and it is a pleasure to be a part of their team,” she said.
