Carisbrooke Castle Museum has secured £29,800 in funding from Arts Council England for a year-long project dedicated to collecting, sharing, and preserving the memories of Isle of Wight residents who lived through the Second World War.
The VE 80: Unlocking Stories project marks 80 years since the end of the war and aims to engage both younger and older generations through a range of activities, fostering deeper connections and creating a lasting educational resource.
Collaborators and partners
The museum is collaborating with Brading Primary School, The Island Free School, and a number of community partners, including Independent Arts, Alzheimer Café Isle of Wight, Brading Community Partnership, Ventnor Town Council, and Our Place West Wight.
Match funding has also been provided by the Isle of Wight council via their Museums and Schools Programme which is supporting intergenerational learning activities with our partner schools.
Intergenerational learning experiences
As part of the project, school pupils will participate in intergenerational learning experiences, while community reminiscence sessions will be held at several locations across the Island. Indepth recorded interviews with Islanders who have memories of 1945 will also be conducted.
These recorded memories will be archived and will form the basis of a travelling exhibition later in the year.
Kerley: Building on the Museum’s Island Voices collection
The Museum has appointed Lisa Kerley as Project Manager. She said,
“I am thrilled to be working on another oral history project with the Museum. This initiative builds upon the many interviews in the Museum’s Island Voices collection and enables us to capture the memories of some of the Island’s oldest residents.
“Preserving these stories is vital for posterity, allowing future generations to learn about life in this era. This is a significant project for the Museum, and I cannot wait to begin sharing 1940s objects in the community to inspire memories and meet those who lived through this momentous time.”
Donald: A meaningful and lasting resource for the Isle of Wight
Lee Donald, Museum Manager, added,
“Community engagement is at the heart of our work as a museum of Isle of Wight history.
“This project presents a wonderful opportunity to bring together generations, spark conversations, and ensure that these valuable personal histories are not lost.
“We are excited to be working with schools and community partners to create a meaningful and lasting resource for the Isle of Wight.”
For more information on the project, or if you or someone you know could be a potential participant, please contact Lisa Kerley at [email protected] the Museum.
Carisbrooke Castle Museum
Carisbrooke Castle Museum is an Accredited local history museum run by an independent Charitable Trust, sited within a medieval castle in the care of English Heritage.
It was founded in 1898 by HRH Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter, and today cares for over 34,000 items connected with the Isle of Wight. For more information visit their website.
Arts Council England
Arts Council England is the national agency responsible for supporting creativity and culture across England.
Through public funding, it invests in museums, libraries, and arts organisations to ensure that everyone can experience and be inspired by the arts. For more information, visit
their website.
News shared by Lisa Kerley. Ed
