This year I have been managing a community engagement project for Carisbrooke Castle Museum on the Isle of Wight, funded by Arts Council England.
VE Day 80 is all about capturing and sharing memories of the Isle of Wight during the Second World War. As part of this project, we have –
- Developed and delivered 8 community reminiscence sessions using objects from the museum collection engaging over 100 people during May 2025 – the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
- Hosted two training days – ‘reminiscence practice using museum objects’ and ‘an introduction to oral history’ for 20 staff and volunteers from local museums and heritage organizations
- Collected 21 oral histories
- Run an intergenerational program over the summer term at a primary and secondary school, giving the opportunity for pupils to meet older people, reminisce and record their memories (16 sessions in total for 30 pupils)
- Commissioned a bespoke listening station and curated an audio-visual exhibition of the interview material illustrated with photographs and objects from the museum collection. This is currently touring 6 public libraries and will then return to the museum and be a permanent listening station for their oral history collection.
- Provided opportunities and support for 10 volunteers
I have also advised 3 museums on the Isle of Wight who are interested in applying for funding for new oral history projects – Wight Aviation Museum, Bembridge Fort and Brading Roman Villa (this was not through OHS but because I am known to them locally).
I have been approached by Creative Island, Cultural Development Agency for the Isle of Wight who have asked me to support organisations they are funding currently undertaking oral history work. I will be running a training session for them next year. I am also involved in their creative careers programme and will be delivering 2 workshops about becoming an oral historian in February 2026 to two secondary schools.
I also undertook a small piece of work to evaluate a large project in Ryde this year. This involved recorded interviews with 15 people involved in the heritage project to repurpose Packs department store in Ryde on the Isle of Wight. These interviews were used in an evaluative report to their funders.
I am currently planning two pieces of work for next year. A new oral history project I want to undertake as a freelancer working with Mountbatten Hospice where I hope to do some life story work including reminiscence practice and oral history interviews. And Phase 2 of the VE Day 80 project at Carisbrooke Castle Museum – a performative project in partnership with local theatre groups who will creatively interpret the 20 interviews gathered this year.
