ESPA Students’ partnership with Living History North East
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Staff and students from ESPA College have developed and maintained a strong partnership with staff and volunteers from Living History North East.
It began in 2008/9 with a couple of students working on a photography project based in the East End of Sunderland. This grew each year with more students accessing Sunderland’s Grade 1 listed Parish Church and surrounding area, researching the history and recording their findings in the form of artwork, stills photography and video.
LHNE allowed us access to their vast collection of photographs, written and recorded materials and artefacts and it was during one of these visits to LHNE that the idea of working on a bigger project came about. We discussed what we would like to do and how this would benefit the local community and more importantly our students, we created a draft plan to share with colleagues. It was then that I approached South Hill managers to ask permission to apply for Heritage Lottery Funding. It was discussed and agreed at the managers meeting.
The application was a long process and I initially required guidance from LHNE staff. The funding was eventually applied for and ESPA College received a grant for £25.400 in 2012.
The project was to be an interpretation and education project in Sunderland’s Old Parish Church (Holy Trinity).
Students spent many hours at the site, working alongside LHNE staff and volunteers and the result of their work was exhibited at the church on 18th July 2014.
Students worked together to explore the architecture, features and immediate surroundings of the site. They were given things to find to help engage them and increase understanding of the history of the site and its importance.
The groups photographed specific areas and began working on a video journal to document the process. Training to become familiar with professional cameras was provided by LHNE. A video walk-through of the church was created.
There were many visits to the site to explore primary documents relating to the church and area first hand. This enabled students to choose documents to be used in the final exhibition and some of the interpretation work.
Training was provided by LHNE to record oral histories, interviewing people associated with the church and area. Students learned about the hardship people endured and participated in a recorded dramatization to tell a story.
Artwork was produced in the form of line drawings, glass painting and textiles.
Students and volunteers from LHNE visited Ripon Workhouse Museum as part of their research.
Web site training was provided and a website has been developed as part of the project also a photo book has been produced.
Local schoolchildren were invited to be involved in producing art work and to create a trail which would be added to the website.
This project has been a great success and feedback from students, LHNE, Churches Conservation Trust, Councillor Tom Martin and local residents have been very positive
End of Project Event
“The final celebration of the end of the project with ESPA College. A big thank you to all our fantastic volunteers who got dressed up as our Heroes and Horrors for the day and helped out. What a lovely experience working with the students and staff from ESPA over the last 18 months to work on this project. Well done everyone”. https://www.facebook.com/LivingHistoryNorthEast
“Well done to everyone, a brilliant showcase of your skills. Here’s to the next project?”Amanda Gerry, The Churches Conservation Trust.
“A lot of memories have been stirred today, thank you”.
Councillor Tom Martin.
“Through this project these young people had the chance to learn new skills, make new friends and develop their confidence whilst also helping Sunderlands Old Parish Church to better connect and work with the local community” Ivor Crowther, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North East
One unexpected outcome of this project was the opportunity for ESPA students to be involved in another project at the National Glass Centre. This came from our relationship with The Church Conservation Trust.