Big Local Eastern Sheppey

Swale CVS were contracted by the Big Local Eastern Sheppey Working Group to undertake a community engagement project starting in December 2012 that sought local residents' opinions on how they would improve the area that they live in over the next ten years and asking how they would like to see the £1million lottery funding spent.

For nine month a community outreach team visited local groups, local events and delivered consultation material to every house within the three areas of Eastchurch, Leysdown and Warden encouraging local people to get involved and inform us of their opinions. In addition three large community events were held (one in each area), where lots of free fun activities were provided and several engagement tools were utilised.

Over the engagement period almost 21% of the local population got involved with Big Local and a formal partnership was formed to take the process forward.

Swale Community and Voluntary Services are the Local Trusted Organisation (LTO) for Big Local Eastern Sheppey.

For more information please contact Emma Dunnicliffe, Big Local Eastern Sheppey Project Coordinator on 07771 915055 or emma@biglocaleasternsheppey.com

ROSE HILL HOUSE PROJECT

This new project saw Swale CVS working alongside Heritage Research Group Sittingbourne and Sheppey Matters to support local young people aged 11 – 25 explore their own local heritage and share it with the community.

Our project focused on the changing lives and expectations of childhood and young people by using digital technology to explore and research hidden histories of Rose Hill based in Rose Hill Woods, Sittingbourne, locally known as Gore Court Cricket Ground. Funding has been provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund – Young Roots, which gives young people aged 11–25 the chance to plan and deliver their own heritage projects with support from heritage and youth organisations working together. Projects celebrate the young people’s achievements and share what they’re learning with the wider community.

Swale CVS, Sheppey Matters and the Heritage Research Group – Sittingbourne plan to work with young people with additional needs on this project to research the history of the house, its occupants, its architecture and use digital technology to capture and document the discoveries and responses from our archaeological dig.

A key element of the project was to use 3D technology, digital printing and software applications to engage the young people fully in their heritage through the use of familiar technology. Working alongside our partners – Sittingbourne Heritage Hub, Kent County Council History and Library Centre – the young people created a series of new heritage legacies for the community based on their findings. Those participating also gained training around volunteering, leadership, team working and archiving skills as well as new approaches to using digital technology. Sittingbourne Heritage Hub is hosting a permanent exhibit and archive of the research undertaken which will be freely accessible to the local community, both within the museum and online.

More details can be found on the Rose Hill House website - www.rosehillhouse.org.uk

              Swale Migration Stories

A new year long inter-generational heritage project is underway in Swale in partnership with Sheppey Matters and Historic Swale.

The Heritage Lottery funded project aims to bring communities together to share and celebrate their family stories and rich cultural history, creating museum and digital experiences for young and old alike to become involved in.

Young participants, aged 11-18, will be working with local museums and heritage sites, artists, filmmakers and digital creatives to explore the diverse stories, heroes and history of who we are and what our ancestors brought to Swale. They will create exhibitions, immersive Virtual Reality pop ups and walk in touring experiences with each gaining an Arts Award qualification and volunteer experience along the way.

Swale Migration Stories project lead Justin Aggett said;

“Our project celebrates all our communities and we are committed to sharing our abundant and collective histories across Swale, a Borough to be proud of!”

Historic Swale Chair Richard Emmett continues;

"Historic Swale together with the participating museums and heritages sites from across the Borough are excited to be contributing to the ‘Swale Migration Stories Project'..." 

Working in partnership with Historic Swale and volunteers, older people are helping create the project by sharing their experiences and teaching valuable curating knowledge. In return the volunteers hope to learn new technology skills and see heritage engagement and education opportunities increase while ensuring the stories of Swale are passed down and remembered.

You can contact us by email via swalemigration@swalecvs.co.uk

on Facebook @SwaleMigrationStories Instagram @SwaleMigration and Twitter @SwaleMigration