Their Past Your Future Project

Background

  • The project was funded by the Big Lottery Fund as part of a national celebration of the 60th anniversary of the end of WW2
  • A key feature of the project was to collect people’s experiences of WW2 to help inform and educate younger generations about the impact of this war
  • The session devised through this project has introduced an exciting mixture of story and drama to encourage empathy for others. Pupils are invited to listen to stories in front of the art works that generated them, role-play, sing songs, form a conscience alley and even Jive during the session.
  • The themes explored are the impact of the Blitz, the changing role of women and the rise of new forms of entertainment and youth culture

Aims

  • To provide an opportunity for individuals who experienced WW2 and it’s aftermath to reminisce through the use of art works
  • To use the stories gathered as the central piece of an innovative new session
  • To provide KS2 pupils and teachers with a meaningful experience that allows them to examine and understand the impact of WW2 on individuals lives in Manchester

Methodology

  • Artworks that related to the impact of war on the home front were selected and researched by a writer/educator
  • 7 people who experienced life in Manchester during this period of time were invited to the gallery to look at the art works - the reminiscence and stories generated by this experience were taped
  • Drama based historical session offered by museums and galleries across Manchester were explored to help generate a lively interactive session that would engage pupils
  • A series of trials of the new session were undertaken with schools to gather feedback on the session and changes were implemented in light of the teachers and pupils’ comments

Outcomes

  • A successful historical based workshop is now being used within the gallery’s Key Stage Programme entitled ’Blitz, Change and Rock’n’ Roll’
  • Feedback from schools taking part in the session has demonstrated that pupils have enjoyed the session and gained a greater understanding of people’s experiences through this time
  • The individuals who took part in this project have all received a CD of their reminiscence and some have been to see pupils taking part in the session they helped devised