In the ever-evolving narrative of our lives, the past and future co-exist in a delicate balance, each informing the other. Our recent ‘Oral Histories and Futures’ workshop, led by esteemed University of Manchester researchers Liz Ackerley and Laura Fenton, illustrated this interplay beautifully. They inspired us to go on a temporal journey, where we explored our personal histories tied to places that hold special meaning, to share and reflect collectively, and then to look thoughtfully toward what the future might hold.
At the workshop’s conclusion, we were presented with a variety of expressive pathways:
- Form a narrative about a memorable everyday place from your past.
- Pen a letter to the future, possibly addressed to a special location you have in mind.
- Create a tale that envisions the future of a particular place.
- Or, feel free to create something unique that the workshop/ theme sparks in you.
Inspired by these prompts, the following pieces of writing were created. Continue reading to enjoy our collective memories and forward-looking visions. We welcome you to add your voice to the conversation in the comments below. If you’re intrigued by Liz and Laura’s innovative work and methodologies, you can reach out to them at austerityalters@manchester.ac.uk or follow their updates at @austerityalters
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The Stories of Our Lives 