Century of Stories Explores the social history around the individual and shared legacy of World War One. Focuses on the impact on Leicestershire at the time of the conflict and in the immediate aftermath, and how the deep rooted social, cultural and personal consequences are felt today.

Hitting the streets with heritage The whole project is based on community engagement and improved understanding of and access to heritage.

Formal planned activity Drop-in sessions History Cafés Exhibitions Banners Record Office days

Emergent and responsive Capacity building Training and support New audiences New projects New partnerships New networks Sharing Celebrating

Understanding Communities What makes up a community? How can people engage, achieve adapt and develop through Heritage Needs. Motivations. Barriers No preconceived ideas Listen. Be brave. Take risks Step out of the comfort zone. Invite. Most people have never been asked!

Connecting with Communities Outreach and research Adapt working styles and relationships Stimulate demand Enlist support of existing networks, specialists and venues Meaningful activities Build trust, credibility New social connections Increase confidence pride and esteem Build a sense of community Publicise, share and celebrate

Co-creating with communities Tap into sense of identity and pride Interaction between traditional and non-traditional heritage users Options and choices – non-prescriptive Listening, facilitating, coaching, mentoring, sensitive, non-judgemental Training in practical transferable skills Belonging / purpose End product Sharing and recognition Positive experience Funding

Sustainability Strike a balance New and shared networks Advice, guidance and mentoring Sharing, signposting Best practice Fundraising, training Recognition and celebration

Educational Resource

Academic Conference Making academia relevant and accessible Discovering the undiscovered Panel Conference MH106 Network

Heritage as a catalyst Bespoke projects are a powerful vehicle to help enhance and improve people’s lives We have the skills, knowledge and resources to give people the opportunity to broaden their horizons

Enhancing learning ‘I would just like to thank everybody that came over to school today and provided a fantastic input about our history. You bring history alive for our pupils and helped to create another memory for our pupils at Maplewell. We are delighted to announce that the individuals involved with CoS achieved the highest GCSE grades in the school’

Enriching families “The banner is perfect! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to take part in your project and to be able to honour my great grandfather in such a great way. I shall be e-mailing it to other members of my family here in the UK and also in America & Canada” - Yvonne

Changing lives Trevor is a member of the Bosworth Tommies, he’s a very happy man who loves doing art work but struggles to communicate due to his disability. Just before Christmas he was finalising his hand made poppy for the LCC Corporate Christmas card and he was so proud and excited about his achievements that he called out Helen, our Project Coordinators name to come and look at his work! This was an amazing moment and he now talks at least one sentence a session and we are really hoping this will improve.

Legacy Keeping heritage alive, accessible, relevant Changing the culture of engagement Recognised nationally for the Project’s achievements with communities and young people Research and projects on new Record Office web page Heritage Ambassadors Participation team

Find us Century of Stories website www.centuryofstories.org.uk Facebook www.facebook.com/centuryofstories Twitter www.facebook.com/century_stories Pinterest https://uk.pinterest.com/century_stories/ Historypin https://www.historypin.org/en/independent-museums-and-heritage-organisation/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpVGKmptzof-79OWwr1n9Jg