Our heritage
Over 25 years we have generated an extensive and valuable archive of voice recordings and video interviews and have collected photographs and other artefacts kindly donated to us by the many individuals and communities we have worked with. This archive is an important regional heritage resource that we have a responsibility to protect, develop and share.
Oral history archive and photographic collection
Donnison School
We have also restored and renovated The Donnison School, a Grade 2 listed building in the East End of Sunderland (web link to map) which is now the home of the Donnison School Heritage and Education Centre where we conduct a significant part of our business.
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We also have a new base at the Elephant Tea Rooms Local History Library @ETR (link) in the centre of Sunderland for our oral history archive and from where we can also conduct some of our oral history activities once Covid-19 restrictions allow.
Our heritage
Over 25 years we have generated an extensive and valuable archive of voice recordings and video interviews and have collected photographs and other artefacts kindly donated to us by the many individuals and communities we have worked with. This archive is an important regional heritage resource that we have a responsibility to protect, develop and share.
Oral history archive and photographic collection
Donnison School
We have also restored and renovated The Donnison School, a Grade 2 listed building in the East End of Sunderland (web link to map) which is now the home of the Donnison School Heritage and Education Centre where we conduct a significant part of our business.
​
We also have a new base at the Elephant Tea Rooms Local History Library @ETR (link) in the centre of Sunderland for our oral history archive and from where we can also conduct some of our oral history activities once Covid-19 restrictions allow.
Our heritage
Over 25 years we have generated an extensive and valuable archive of voice recordings and video interviews and have collected photographs and other artefacts kindly donated to us by the many individuals and communities we have worked with. This archive is an important regional heritage resource that we have a responsibility to protect, develop and share.
Oral history archive and photographic collection
Donnison School
We have also restored and renovated The Donnison School, a Grade 2 listed building in the East End of Sunderland (web link to map) which is now the home of the Donnison School Heritage and Education Centre where we conduct a significant part of our business.
​
We also have a new base at the Elephant Tea Rooms Local History Library @ETR (link) in the centre of Sunderland for our oral history archive and from where we can also conduct some of our oral history activities once Covid-19 restrictions allow.
We Living History Northeast was established in 1995 as a regional specialist in oral history. In these 25 years we have worked with many different local and regional partners to engage with individuals, groups and communities, exploring their personal testimonies. For example we have captured oral histories from the coalmining and shipbuilding communities in the North East, the people who underpinned the UK economy for over 100 years. Our reach is broad and inclusive; we have worked with older people, black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME) as well as people suffering with ill health like stroke and dementia sufferers, sharing in their experiences and giving them all a voice.
Our experience
We Living History Northeast was established in 1995 as a regional specialist in oral history. In these 25 years we have worked with many different local and regional partners to engage with individuals, groups and communities, exploring their personal testimonies. For example we have captured oral histories from the coalmining and shipbuilding communities in the North East, the people who underpinned the UK economy for over 100 years. Our reach is broad and inclusive; we have worked with older people, black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME) as well as people suffering with ill health like stroke and dementia sufferers, sharing in their experiences and giving them all a voice.
Our experience
MAKING MEMORIES MATTER
Digital Centre for Oral History
Living History northeast
Reminiscence
Reminiscing, telling stories about the past provides us with a flexible and enjoyable way of engaging people of all ages. Recalling past events helps us to re-awaken aspects of our lives that we hadn’t thought about for years. Sharing stories with others can help people to feel valued and respected, making sense of the past through actively listening to others.
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Reminiscence can also build bridges between young and old, and is a great way of bringing people together to exchange and share the past and the present. For someone living with dementia, reminising can be an invaluable therapy, triggering their longer term memories and helping them to ‘join in’ and share their thoughts with others.
Copyright Living History North East
In reminiscence sessions we use a variety of activities
and materials in order to trigger, and give voice to, the
memories they stimulate. Many valuable interviews
have been gathered using reminiscence, stories that otherwise would have been lost forever.
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One of the strategies we use is to provide "reminiscence boxes" containing everyday objects that can stimulate memories. The boxes are themed and include
1940's onwards
Hearth and Home
Toys and Schooldays
Wedding Days
Groups can dress up for an event or special occasion using costumes from periods from Victorian through to WW11, 1960's, 1980's and beyond. The collection also includes an extensive range of wedding dresses through the ages.
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Email: livinghistory.ne.ltd@gmail.com
Mob: 07443653838
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