The
Project
'Growing Up in Plaistow' aimed to improve intergenerational relationships in south Plaistow by training students aged 15-18 from NewVic Sixth Form in oral history interviews and in running reminiscence sessions.
Plaistow South Big Local (PSBL), a resident-led community regeneration group, received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to develop a project to provide training to young people and record the memories and expereinces of people who grew up in south Plaistow.
Eastside Community Heritage (ECH) led the training sessions for students at the NewVic Sixth Form. The students were trained to conduct oral history interviews, to undertake local history research and to run reminiscence sessions with elderly groups in the local area. They recorded individuals during the sessions and these recordings, as well as full length oral history interviews conducted by ECH, were fully archived and are available for anyone to listen to.
Professional copper, Eclipse Road, 1935
(Image courtesy of Newham Archive)
As well as the training for the students the project also resulted in a touring exhibition visiting local schools, libraries and community centres, a mobile app and a soundscape podcast that included clips documenting the memories and expereinces of those who grew up in the area.
Kirsty from Eastside Community Heritage delivering the first training session on oral history interviewing, February 2016
Comments from the students:
"I would like to attend more projects like this as it does help gain confidence."
- Hifza N.
"I would like to attend more activities like this."
- Fadumeen A.