Heads On, the official charity for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, has unveiled the launch of ‘Living Histories’ – an oral history initiative aimed at capturing the life stories of service users and staff involved with NHS mental health services in Sussex. The project seeks to document experiences from the closure of old asylums in the 1980s to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Project Objectives
Historical Documentation: Living Histories aims to document the evolution of NHS mental health services in Sussex, focusing on the transition from institutionalization to community care and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Amplifying Voices: The project intends to amplify the voices of individuals with severe mental illness, whose stories are often overlooked or hidden, providing insights into their lived experiences.
Educational Resource: By creating an archive of personal stories, the project aims to inform the future of mental healthcare within the NHS.
Implementation Details
Volunteer Recruitment: Heads On plans to recruit and train volunteers to collect 35 oral histories from mental health service users and staff across Sussex. Volunteers will receive training from the Oral History Society, including mental health awareness training.
Project Outcomes: The initiative will culminate in live and online exhibitions, a podcast series, and the establishment of a permanent archive at The Keep, part of the Mass Observation Archive at the University of Sussex.
Charity Director’s Statement
Rachael Duke, Charity Director at Heads On, emphasized the project’s commitment to combating mental health stigma and honoring the diverse experiences of individuals within NHS mental health services. She expressed gratitude to funders such as The National Lottery Heritage Fund and NHS Charities Together for their support in bringing Living Histories to fruition.
Call for Volunteers
Volunteers, especially those with personal or caregiving experience in mental health, are encouraged to register their interest to become oral historians for this significant initiative. They will play a crucial role in preserving and sharing these important narratives.
The launch of Living Histories marks a pivotal effort in preserving mental health history and advocating for greater understanding and support within the community.
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