Launch Event (by Jennifer)

On Wednesday 21st November 2018 we had our Hidden Lives Remembered Launch Event at the Knowle United Reformed Church. We chose to have it in their Church hall as some of the residents from Middlefield used to go here as part of a group, so we thought it would be great to hold it somewhere familiar to people and with a connection to Middlefield.

A group from Middlefield at the Knowle URC in 1994

Our Launch Event in the same hall in 2018

We invited a variety of people, those from the homes we work on our Peer Visits as well as other residential homes connected to Hampton Manor and Middlefield. We also had people that we have worked with on the project and our volunteers and members of staff.

We had a power presentation, James introduced Claire and she did a talk on the Hidden Lives Remembered Project, why we are doing the project and our progress so far. I then gave a speech about my experiences, why I like being a part of the project and paid remembrance to those that are no longer with us who went to Middlefield and Hampton Manor.

After Claire and I gave our presentations we had pictures on the projector of those from Hampton Manor and Middlefield with facts about them. Our volunteers Kathy and Keith also spoke, Kathy gave a speech and Keith led a small prayer service for those that have passed, so that they were still very much the focus of the day.

George, who previously lived at Middlefield

Diane, who previously lived at Hampton Manor

It is great also that Joe from CASBA was at the Launch Event. He has ran a similar project on Monyhull in Birmingham. I went to Joe’s talk last week at Birmingham Library and I found the talk to be very interesting and a learnt even more about CASBA’s project. I thought it was really nice how he included people that were interviewed from the project and other people so we were able to hear their story on life at Monyhull. We wish Joe all the best for his next project, and hopefully we catch up again to share ideas soon.

It was a very successful day celebrating the lives of everyone, and we would like to thank everyone from our volunteers, members of SAtA and all those that attended to create a great launch event. Thank you to the volunteers and members of SAtA for giving up their time to help out with the Launch event especially with helping people to get to the venue, all your help is much appreciated.