May Round-Up: Building Momentum Through People and Place

May has been a month of meaningful progress at Local History Hub. From welcoming new volunteers to launching community roles and laying the foundations for two new Hubs, we’ve continued to grow carefully and collaboratively—always grounded in the belief that local history is strongest when shaped by the people who live it.

New Hubs in Development: Liverpool & Cheshire West

We’re delighted to announce that Local History Hub Liverpool is now in development. Over the past few weeks, we’ve begun connecting with schools, community leads, and heritage organisations who share our vision for grassroots, classroom-connected history. In a city shaped by migration, maritime trade, music and activism, we’re excited to explore how local stories can help young people make sense of where they live.

In Cheshire West & Chester, our new Hub is already attracting strong interest from schools. We're now reaching out to heritage partners to help co-create meaningful, locally rooted projects.

To support both Hubs, we’ve launched or are preparing to launch key volunteer roles:

• Schools Lead – Cheshire West & Chester

• Community Lead – Cheshire West & Chester

• Community Lead – Liverpool (coming soon)

• Schools Lead – Liverpool (coming soon)

These roles are a chance to shape something new—and meaningful—from the ground up. You can find out more by visiting our volunteer page.

Expanding Our Volunteer Network

We’ve continued to grow our national team of passionate volunteers who guide and shape our local work:

• National Heritage Advisor – England
  A new strategic role helping shape our growth across England, starting with early support for the North West.

• Regional Heritage Advisor – North West England
  Supporting Hub development in Blackburn with Darwen, Liverpool, and Cheshire West & Chester.

• Regional Heritage Advisor – South Wales
  Helping us build on our early success in Cardiff and grow deeper roots across South Wales.

• Community Lead – Blackburn with Darwen
  We’re seeking someone passionate about connection, culture and place to help lead our newest Hub alongside Roe Lee Park Primary School.

Each of these roles is voluntary, flexible, and community-focused. Together, they’re helping ensure that Local History Hub grows in ways that are inclusive, sustainable, and locally informed.

Welcome to Beck – Cardiff’s New Community Lead

We’re thrilled to welcome Rebecca Crnoja as Community Lead for the Cardiff Local History Hub. Beck will be working alongside Liz Berry (Schools Lead) to connect schools with local heritage organisations across the city. Their first school meeting is planned for autumn 2025—watch this space!

New Partnership in Development: Irish Diaspora Histories Network

Following a brilliant meeting with Dr Sophie Cooper, we’re exploring a new partnership to support schools in teaching Irish migration at primary level. The first workshop is planned for the 2026–27 academic year and will offer expert-led insight, classroom strategies, and space for discussion around this complex and important history.

Behind the Scenes: Hub Leads Portal in Progress

We’re currently building a dedicated Hub Leads Resource Portal—a space for our brilliant volunteers to access tools, share ideas, and collaborate across regions. It’s still under construction, but we’re excited to offer more structured support as our network grows.

Marking VE Day: Local Memories, National Meaning

On 8 May, we joined others in remembering Victory in Europe Day—a powerful reminder of how national events are experienced through local stories. From street parties to piano singalongs, we encouraged schools and families to reflect on the memories that make VE Day part of their community history.

Looking Ahead to June…

June promises to be an exciting month:

• New schools will be joining in Cardiff, Blackburn, and Cheshire West & Chester

• We’ll launch the formal structure for Local History Hub: Liverpool

• Our Schools Lead – Liverpool and Community Lead – Liverpool roles will open for applications

• Several new non-executive directors will join our team

• And we’ll continue developing the Hub Leads Portal behind the scenes

As always, we’re growing with care—centred on community, fuelled by collaboration, and led by teachers who believe in the power of place-based education.