Young Archivists: 6 month update!
Since March, ten 14-18 year old ‘Young Archivists’ have joined us in Croydon Archives, meeting twice a month for workshops and visits exploring archives, heritage, culture, local history and Croydon. Aurora, Taisia, Emma-Lu, Rayhaan, Adjoa, Prince, Randal, Fizza, Sumaiya and Ewan were selected from an open call where we received over 100 applications!
This first phase of the programme has focused on learning and collaboration - building up knowledge of the heritage sector and getting to know each other, so that the Young Archivists can start working on their own co-created research and responses to Croydon Archives’ collections in September.
The programme has been co-designed according to the young people’s interests - which range from migration, underrepresented histories and activism; to STEM, the built environment and food culture!
Young Archivists is part of our Dynamic Collections: Digitally Transforming Croydon Archives project, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thank you so much to everyone who has collaborated with the Young Archivists - read on to find out more about all of their activities so far!
Session 1 - Introductions and Teambuilding
At our first meeting, together we explored our memories of Croydon and visions for a future Croydon, through drawing on copies of historic maps from Croydon Archives' collections. We also discussed how we can work together to build an inclusive, creative and empowering space for everyone over the 15 month programme.
Session 2 - Introduction to Croydon Archives
In this session we were joined by Rosie (Borough Archivist) and Ruth (Project Collections Access Officer). We began with a Q&A and introduction to Croydon Archives, Rosie’s role and her career journey so far.
Following an overview of collections handling guidelines from Ruth, we looked at a selection of material from Croydon Archives’ collections. The Young Archivists used these materials to explore collaborative research and critical thinking skills around the past, present and future of Croydon.
Session 3 - Museum of Youth Culture
Next we went on a trip to the Museum of Youth Culture! Georgia and Esta from the Museum introduced us to some of their collections, and how they gather, preserve and present stories. The young people each shared an object with the group which they would donate to the Museum, to represent their experience of youth.
Session 4 - Decolonising the Archive
Decolonising the Archive joined the Young Archivists in Croydon, and introduced us to their practices in community journalism, activist radio, memory work and critical pedagogy - through interactive conversation, audio and writing activities. The Young Archivists interviewed each other to find stories of Freedom Fighters in their family histories, and learnt how to use voice recording equipment.
Session 5 - Migration Museum
Next we were hosted by the Migration Museum! The Young Archivists had an inspiring time exploring their personal connections to migration, and the museum’s powerful and moving exhibition, 'Heart of the Nation: Migration and the Making of the NHS'.
This was a great opportunity for the young people to start thinking about exhibition-making, and how museums can be more representative of our communities and experiences.
Session 6 - Stanley Arts
The young people spent some time with local arts, culture and heritage organisation Stanley Arts, for a workshop exploring community engagement, the history of Stanley Halls and Stanley Arts' archives. We discussed how it feels to be welcomed in a space, and what changes arts and heritage organisations can make to be more accessible.
Session 7 - Turf Projects
Continuing our local focus, we visited Turf Projects for a creative photography workshop! We explored archives and Croydon's Music History through the work of Georgina Cook (aka Drumz of the South), who was included in Turf's exhibition 'Eye Level'. We were also joined by members of Art Press, Turf's youth collective, and Georgina supported everyone to take their own 'self-portraits' - representing their unique personalities and experiences of the present moment. It was a great opportunity to meet and collaborate with other creative young people from Croydon!
Session 8 - Jonathan Nunn and South Norwood Community Kitchen
Next we had a Young Archivists session all about food! We were joined by restaurant writer Jonathan Nunn, who introduced us to ways of researching and understanding food - particularly its relationships to culture, community, politics and migration.
We started with a shared meal at South Norwood Community Kitchen, where we learnt about the amazing work they do bringing together the local community and organising around food. Following this we took a walk through South Norwood and Thornton Heath, to see what the local food shops and restaurants can tell us about the neighbourhood and its community. We ended at Thornton Heath Library, where we looked at some historic photographs and records from Croydon Archives to see how the area has changed over time.
Session 9 - Resolve Collective
Another Croydon-focussed workshop was with Resolve Collective! This session focused on thinking about the built environment and archiving place - especially how we can record, preserve and find traces of our memories in areas which are rapidly changing due to redevelopment and gentrification.
Then it was time for the Young Archivists to get creative! After learning how to drill, saw and hammer they used these new skills to design and make their own frames (which will be used for something exciting soon...)!
Session 10 - Black Cultural Archives
After this we visited Black Cultural Archives, where Dr. Ayshah Johnston facilitated a workshop for us on Uprisings and Black British History. The young people applied their learning from this workshop to discussions about the issues in Croydon that they are passionate about, and how communities can organise together to address them.
We also had the opportunity to view some of BCA's archival collections relating to Croydon's history, and two exhibitions sharing the history and lived experiences of the Windrush Generation.
Session 11 - Wellcome Collection
The Young Archivists then visited the Wellcome Collection - where they took part in a workshop exploring archival research, introducing us to some of the Wellcome's collections around women's health and experiences.
We also visited one of their current exhibitions - The Kola Nut Cannot Be Contained - which looks at the cultural, religious, medicinal, social and culinary history of the Kola Nut. Tunmise, Oliver, Eric and Aisha from the Wellcome Collection's Youth Panel joined us for the session, and shared their experiences developing projects in response to the Kola Nut exhibition.
Session 12 - MayDay Rooms
For our final Young Archivists workshop in this phase, we visited the MayDay Rooms to learn all about their work archiving social struggles, resistance campaigns, experimental culture, and the expression of marginalised and oppressed groups. We looked at some materials from the MayDay Rooms Archive, including manifestos, activist posters, protest signs and subvertising. We also had a quick introduction to the June Givanni Pan African Cinema Archive, who the MayDay Rooms shares their building with.
Inspired by the collections, the young people then collaborated to define some societal rules they want to break or change - and designed their own activist collage posters to communicate these messages.
It’s been amazing to have the Young Archivists joining us over the past 6 months, and to learn from all of their perspectives on Croydon, heritage and history. We can’t wait to see what amazing things they all produce in the next phase of the programme, where they will be working towards an exhibition in the Museum of Croydon!
