Welcome to the July/Summer 2025 edition of the Heritage Hub newsletter.
Championing Diversity, Inclusion, and Collaborative Storytelling in Heritage
In Gloucester, a vibrant partnership is continuing to transform the way communities tell their stories and how those stories are preserved. Through a co-curated, community-led approach, Voices Gloucester and Gloucestershire Archives are working together to enhance the diversity of collections and in the process we are redefining engagement with heritage, making it more inclusive, representative and lasting.Archivists are uniquely positioned to support individuals in sharing their own narratives. By offering to preserve stories indefinitely we are explicitly placing a value on them.
Founded in 2016 as City Voices and now an independent charity, Voices Gloucester has flourished over the past three years, thanks in part to expert freelancers and a grants program supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England. The charity’s mission is captured in its motto: “Our Living History, Told by You"
The charity provides grants ranging from £500 to £2,500 to support local, story-driven projects based on ideas emerging from a range of individuals. It is very much a community-led rather than a top-down approach and over 30% of applications come from under-served communities. Support and mentoring from pre-application through to delivery of their final project is provided and an increasingly diverse community panel scores the projects and members explain which projects they wish to support and why
Historically underrepresented and minority groups have found in Voices Gloucester a platform to share authentic stories and confront stereotypes.
The spectrum of voices includes:
- Gypsy/Traveller/Roma communities
- LGBTQ+
- Black/Black British/Caribbean/African
- Refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants
- Asian/Asian British
- People with visual impairments or disabilities
- The city’s younger and older generations
Over the past three years, Voices Gloucester has:
- Received 174 grant applications
- Supported 48 projects
- Hosted 127 events, attracting 97,686 participants
- Amassed 1,843 Vimeo film views
- Donated over 100 items to Gloucestershire Archives
Social media engagement has soared, while the breadth and diversity of archival materials has widened.
Community grants do more than provide funding. They create opportunities for learning, collaboration, and connection. Through mentoring, networking, and training, Voices Gloucester brings together aspiring and seasoned storytellers, building relationships that strengthen the community fabric. Its flexible, values-driven growth strategy ensures authentic voices remain at the core. Free, accessible events have attracted a diverse audience, including refugees who later became engaged with events and projects. Artists and creatives help animate history with support in mentoring and marketing, ensuring stories are not just told but celebrated. Evaluation reports highlight the tangible benefits for community producers: increased knowledge, expanded skills, and a heightened sense of belonging. Participants gain valuable experience in producing events, films, and exhibitions, deepen their understanding of Gloucester’s heritage, and find inspiration to continue their research and creative work.
Case Studies: Stories That Matter
Beating Back the Past
A single archival manuscript song from Barbados sugar plantations inspired creative projects and exhibitions by Vanley Burke and Rider Shafique that make challenging histories accessible and relevant, whilst facilitating difficult discussions on the legacy of enslavement.
Romany Gypsy Heritage
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, community producer Kelly Horsley was inspired to explore her Romany Gypsy heritage. With Voices Gloucester’s support, she launched the ‘Kushti Divvus’ exhibition, bringing untold Romany stories to light. Her ongoing work, now including talks, exhibitions, and films, is breaking stereotypes and building understanding.
Costume of Gloucester
Created by over 130 community stitchers, the costume is now an integral part of the Museum of Gloucester’s collection and features in the annual Gloucester Day parade.
Heritage Schools
Partnerships with teachers and Historic England have empowered educators to lead their own collaborative projects such as delightful films featuring children telling the history of their schools.
Gloucestershire Archives provides a very active trustee; an experienced teacher to lead the Heritage Schools strand; trusted, ethical long-term stewardship and access to Voices’ outputs; and meeting spaces. Our collections provide inspiration to community producers. Other staff provide expertise and training for oral histories, digital stories and related permissions and documentation, supported introductions to the Archives. In September 2025, Voices Gloucester will showcase new, diverse voices and unexpected perspectives at the Gloucester History Festival, alongside high-profile TV historians.
In conclusion, through sustained partnership, inclusive grant-making, and a commitment to accessibility, Voices Gloucester and Gloucestershire Archives are ensuring that the city’s living history is told by all who call it home. We not just documenting the past, but actively shaping a more connected, empathetic, and representative future.