Oral History Training
Oral History Training Day: Building Skills, Confidence and Community
The Walsall Windrush Sisters project delivered a high-impact Oral History Training Day supported by the Oral History Society, bringing participants together for a hands-on, knowledge-rich session designed to strengthen the foundations of our upcoming heritage work.
The session provided a deep dive into the full interview process, from understanding the right equipment to use, to navigating copyright, consent, and best-practice paperwork. Attendees explored how to structure an effective interview, how to guide storytelling with care, and the practical techniques that elevate the quality and authenticity of recorded histories.
A standout moment of the day was the mock interview exercises. Participants paired up, tested equipment, and put new learning into practice through real-time conversation. It was an energising blend of skill development, peer learning, and shared curiosity.
The atmosphere throughout the session was collaborative, welcoming, and deeply community-driven. People left with increased confidence, stronger technical understanding, and a clear sense of how their contributions will shape the wider heritage project.
This training marks a key milestone in preparing our team to capture stories with accuracy, care, and cultural sensitivity, and we’re excited to build on this momentum as we move into the next phase of interviews and community engagement.
