...BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S STORY MATTERS

Oral history is the practice of recording, preserving, and sharing people’s lived experiences in their own words. It is a vital part of historical research that captures personal stories – a ‘living history’ - often overlooked by formal and official records. In the UK, oral history has played a crucial role in documenting the voices of working people, immigrant communities, and those whose histories have been historically marginalised. Everyone contributes to this archive – from household names and celebrities to ‘ordinary people’ talking about everyday events. By capturing first-hand accounts and eye-witness testimonies, oral history helps to create a richer, more inclusive understanding of our shared past.

The official record is often shaped by those in positions of power, leaving many voices unheard. Oral history redresses this imbalance by allowing individuals to tell their own stories, in their own words, recognising that memories are a mixture of facts and opinions, giving equal importance to both and ensuring they are preserved for future generations. It fosters a deeper understanding of the social and cultural history of communities, capturing the nuances of everyday life that traditional historical records often miss.