THIS month we're teaming up with Meadow Well Connected for a £10,000 initiative celebrating 90 years since the Meadow Well Estate was built.

This autumn there’ll be a series of free workshops, trips and events to explore and preserve the history of the estate and what it’s been like to live there through the years.

Residents’ stories, experiences, photographs, film and keepsakes will all be recorded as they work with artists to create a unique visual timeline of Meadow Well’s history.

Mandi Cresswell, chief officer at Meadow Well Connected, said: “This funding is an amazing opportunity for us to explore and capture life here on the Meadow Well Estate. We’ve accumulated a mass of historical material from our community, boxed and storage. When we delve into them there is a real sense of connection and curiosity from those involved.

“The estate’s history is not readily available in museums or libraries and we’d love people to join in and get involved in creating this digital capsule which can be used by generations to come.”

Celebrating Meadow Well launches on Thursday, October 24, with a community show and share at the centre between 5pm and 6pm.

The Equal Arts team will be on hand to capture people’s stories, old photos, letters, keepsakes and film as part of the project which will culminate in a community exhibition next summer.

Olivia Hill, our associate, said: “There’ll be free, artist-led sessions open to all throughout the year as we explore the archives and create visual timeline of Meadow Well’s history. 

“Artists Kitty Fitzgerald and Peter Mortimer who have all spent time on the estate will help produce new work with the community alongside creative writing, drama, photography and song-writing workshops. We can’t wait to see what participants create ahead of the summer exhibition showcasing the social, cultural and political history of the area.”

The project, funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and working with the Cedarwood Trust, aims to boost pride and wellbeing in the area by providing opportunities to highlight life on the Meadow Well Estate.

With trips, workshops and talks from heritage experts through the next year there are also plenty of volunteering opportunities for those interested in getting involved.

For more information please email information@equalarts.org.uk or Meadow Well Connected on 0191 341 0033.