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Sharing Suffolk Stories: LGBTQ+ Pride in Suffolk's Past Researcher

         Sharing Suffolk Stories: Pride in Suffolk’s Past

The project is two-fold, to explore and share the past stories of homosexuality and bi-sexuality in the Suffolk Archives but also to collect contemporary stories of Suffolk’s LGBTQ+ Community to document the experiences of Suffolk residents through a period of monumental societal change towards gender identity.

We have a strong group of research volunteers who are delving into the archives to discover stories on a thematic approach including high profile homosexuals from Suffolk, experiences of ordinary people, experiences during the AIDS/HIV period in 1980’s, press coverage and linguistics.

In addition, we will be hosting a number of events around the county to collect memories, photos and memorabilia, including oral histories, ensuring our holdings are resonant of Suffolk society today and meet our Collections Development Policy.

Numerous sharing events have been planned to include touring exhibitions, online exhibitions, collecting events and ultimately the Pride in Suffolk's Past exhibition at The Hold in Spring 2021.

What's involved?

Reporting to the Community & Learning Officer (East):

  • Conduct contextual and archival research to discover the stories of the LGBTQ+ community in Suffolk in our archives.
  • Using Suffolk Archives and other relevant secondary sources research themes and topics as agreed with the Volunteer Project Coordinator.
  • Consider conducting oral history interviews (training can be provided)
  • With Volunteer Project Coordinator and in liaison with the Community and Learning Officer, create an effective system to log research carried out by volunteers and participants.
  • Support the Volunteer Project Coordinator to coordinate opportunities to share and engage new audiences with research findings.
  • With the Volunteer Project Coordinator, consider opportunities to write blog pages and content for Suffolk Archives' Social Media policy.
  • Support requests for information requested for the Suffolk Archives' website or media opportunities about the project.
  • Support evaluation of the project with requested project information and feedback.
  • Support the Exhibition & Interpretation Officer in curating exhibitions online and for the Pride in Suffolk's Past Exhibition at The Hold in Spring 2021

Why get involved?

Benefits to the Volunteer:

  • Opportunity to develop research and project management skills, whilst enabling people to discover their own local history.
  • Opportunity to discover the hidden LGBTQ+ History of Suffolk and engage with a provocative history which has not been told before.
  • Chance to meet volunteers and the general public
  • Enjoyment and fulfillment
  • Travel expenses are refunded

How to get involved?

  1. Sign into your account or sign up to Volunteer Makers.
  2. Accept the challenge.
  3. Await a response from Suffolk Archives with more information.

Ideal Skills

  • Design & Illustration
  • Event Management
  • Event Stewarding
  • Photography
  • Research
  • Working independently
  • I'm based near Lowestoft
  • I'm based near Ipswich
  • I'm based near Bury St. Edmunds

Ideal Interests

  • Archive cataloguing
  • Exhibition Installation
  • Local History
  • I'm based near Lowestoft
  • I'm based near Ipswich
  • I'm based near Bury St. Edmunds

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