Mile 91 is a bespoke story gathering team for charities and changemakers. We capture spine-tingling stories that inspire and inform. With words, pictures and film we will help you show the world the impact your work has on individuals, communities and the environments they live in.
The people behind Mile 91 are Catherine Raynor and Ben Langdon. We have worked together for 15 years. We became colleagues in 2002 when we were working in the communications and fundraising teams at international NGO, VSO. Our first story gathering trip together was in 2007 to Sierra Leone where we captured stories for VSO’s 50th anniversary.
We began collaborating as freelancers in 2011 before setting up Mile 91 in summer 2013. In the years since our first trip for VSO, we have captured the stories of hundreds of individuals both in the UK and overseas. We have worked with charities, NGOs, businesses and philanthropy organisations in more than 25 developing countries and emerging economies.
Both of us are endlessly interested in and inspired by the lives of the people we meet. Catherine’s natural nosiness and confidence in asking the difficult questions means she quickly gets to the heart of the story. Ben’s ability to put everyone he meets at immediate ease means he captures images and footage that are filled with warmth and integrity. Our extensive experience translates into practical evidence-based advice when we are training and mentoring.
Mile 91 is also a town in Sierra Leone. It is 91 miles from Freetown. It’s the first place we worked together. It’s a no-nonsense name but it’s also one of the friendliest places we’ve ever been. We promise to live up to the name!
Catherine Raynor and Ben Langdon lead Mile 91, supported by a team of talented and like-minded freelance associates.
Ben has worked in developing countries and emerging economies for more than 15 years, photographing and filming in challenging environments and with vulnerable people. In the UK his work has taken him from hospitals to Buckingham Palace to puppy training camps. His natural friendliness means he gets the best out of his subjects, whether they have two legs or four. His creativity can bring out the interest in the most mundane moment. He also provides training in photography, film and editing skills.
Catherine’s first taste of storytelling came in 2006 when she established VSO’s story gathering function. She has managed more than 40 story gathering visits to developing countries and emerging economies, plus numerous shoots in the UK. She has a keen eye for the heart of a story and is a sensitive interviewer. She is particularly adept at identifying barriers to productivity and helping organisations to break down silos that prevent powerful storytelling.
Ben is an award winning filmmaker whose work has been shown on TV and at festivals across Europe. He specialises in campaign films for charities – his films for the homeless charity Crisis have received over a million hits on YouTube. For Mile 91, Ben has worked on many films with clients such as Chickenshed and the National Union of Students. He also runs a number of our smartphone filmmaking courses. In other recent work, Ben has made films with musicians including Rufus Wainwright and for the renowned film maker Ken Loach.
Alex has been producing clear, compelling copy for charities for over a decade. Through Mile 91, she has written dozens of stories for charities as diverse as the Media Legal Defence Initiative, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Arthritis Care and VSO. Her natural warmth encourages people to open up and she has a knack for finding the hope and impact in the toughest situations. Alex is a huge dog fan so she was beside herself when Catherine asked for her help at a training day for Dogs for Good.
Anna is a versatile communicator and media facilitator, with particular expertise in writing. Specialising in international development and social enterprise, she has over nine years’ experience helping small and large organisations (VSO, British Council, European Commission, and many more) to communicate powerful stories of change. Anna has particular experience in east Africa, including a year in Dar es Salaam, and has led communities in the region and in the UK in capturing and sharing their stories through text, video and photography.
Our work with businesses and foundations
or do you describe your efforts training farmers in business skills? Do you talk about
or do you showcase the talents of a staff member who had the vision to turn your business model into a lifechanging service for poor people? Do you talk about
At Mile 91
we understand the business jargon
Are you inspiring them with stories or baffling them with business speak?
We help businesses and foundations to
without compromising your business relationships.
© Mile 91 Ltd 2013-18. All rights reserved.
Mile 91 Ltd is registered in England and Wales. Company number: 8971417.
"The thing I really like about working with Mile 91 is the way they understand some of the situations they will have to face. I knew I could trust them to bring those stories out and make people feel comfortable.”
"With less than three weeks to create the brief, shoot, produce and edit the film, we needed to work with a company who could really deliver."
