Independent charity Eastside Community Heritage (ECH) facilitates learning through heritage-based activities for underrepresented groups. ECH consulted young people from the Stratford and West Ham Youth Forum about delivering a project exploring the transatlantic slave trade and Britain’s role in its abolition.
As a result, around 20 young people were involved in planning and carrying out the project from the start. Regular steering-group meetings ensured that young people led and managed the project, with adult supervision.
The young people helped a YouthHeritage Officer to carry out the necessary research, visiting the Museum of London Docklands and Greenwich Maritime Museum, Liverpool’s International Slavery Museum, and the Equiano Exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. This helped them gain an insight into Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and the abolitionist movement.
The young participants filmed a documentary about their project, and an exhibition showcasing their research toured six local schools.