Collaborative Histories
in the Valley of Sanctuary (CHIVS)

What role can community archives play in exploring shared stories and shared histories across generations, borders and time? This is the question behind Our Shared Stories, an innovative and collaborative project run in Hebden Bridge between Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), Pennine Heritage (PH) and Calderdale’s Valley of Sanctuary (VoS). 

The project brings together refugee-background community members, archivists and researchers to explore the affordances of archives and collaborative heritage activities in facilitating a sense of belonging across diverse communities in the Calder Valley. The project runs between 2025 and 2026 and is co-funded by MMU AHEAD and Pennine Heritage. 

The project is centred on 6 co-designed project workshops based on a thematic interest on the senses. Each workshop includes archival or heritage engagements from the Pennine Heritage Archives, alongside broader reflective and sensory exercises inviting community members to reflect on shared histories and experiences.

The project is led by Dr Sarah Linn alongside Manchester Metropolitan University colleagues Professor Rob Ellis (History, Politics and Philosophy) and Leonie Chesworth (PhD student), with Dr Roxanne Taylor and Dr Iona Murphy (both University of Huddersfield). Pennine Heritage’s Dr Andrew McTominey (Heritage Manager) and Dr Andy Cook (Volunteer) and VoS members, Laura, Penny, Mabel, and Theja complete the team.

Working collaboratively, the CHIVS team are co-producing a co-authored book and exhibition and are exploring potential next steps.

For more information, please contact Sarah Linn: s.linn@mmu.ac.uk