Showcasing the untold histories of Oxford Road

Researchers from the 桃色视频 co-created the ‘Discovering Untold Histories’ display for Reading Museum, which tells the story of how local people and artists are responding to the vibrant everyday life, rich cultural diversity and untold stories of our streets.

As part of Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme, a team led by Professor Sally Lloyd-Evans, Alice Mpofu-Coles, Robyn Woronka and Toby Barlow, used participatory action research methods to explore the lived experiences of the people and communities of one of Reading’s most diverse and multicultural streets.

Through a series of interviews and engagement activities, the team worked with local people to gather information about the social history of the area. This research produced ‘Lifespring Stories,’ a video series about seventeen people from Lifespring at the Pavillion. The series explores how these people came to be here, and what the Oxford Road means to them.

Participants were also asked to contribute photographs, poems and recipes from their culture or personal experiences. Some of these can be seen on display at Reading Museum’s ‘Discovering Untold Histories.’

Community Research Associate, Alice Mpofu-Coles said:

“This project was creative and produced so many diverse outputs. By doing participatory action research, we empowered the participants to co-design the research, disseminating with them and leaving a legacy accessible to people.

Oxford Road has a rich and diverse heritage, with over 70 languages spoken there, it is known as the United Nations of Reading. I would encourage everyone to visit the display and listen to the moving ‘LifeSpring Stories’ on the Museum’s website.”

The ‘Discovering Untold Histories’ display now has a permanent home at Reading Museum.

You can listen to Lifespring Stories via the Reading Museum website.

Find out more about the Oxford Road storytelling project on the Engagement and Impact website.