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People in Mind
Posted Thursday 26 January 2012
Ruth writes about People in Mind, an oral history project and exhibition marking 25 years of Mind in Bexley.
Oral historians work with people to record their memories, inviting them to recount past experiences and to reflect on these from their present day perspective.
Good listening is central to the process. Rather than just tuning in to anecdotes that may be expected or hoped for, this means also being attentive to the stories people want to tell.
In July last year, I began an oral history project for Mind in Bexley, which was celebrating its 25th anniversary. The project was commissioned to mark this milestone, so it seemed apt to record people’s memories of the organisation and the role it had played in their lives.
However, alongside recording interviews, I also attended a number of day groups and services each week.
There, very different stories were shared with me. These were not about the organisation, they were personal stories of mental health and distress, of journeys through difficult times, of ‘good days and bad days'.
I began to wonder whether these might be the stories people wanted to tell, as well as being the stories that needed to be heard.
I discussed these thoughts with participants and suggested that we could record life story interviews, with a focus on themes of mental health and wellbeing.
I wasn’t sure how people would feel about this - I was proposing longer interviews, more personal sharing. I was moved by the positive response.
Everyone agreed to proceed, several more people asked to be involved and there was much enthusiasm for the project as one that might challenge stigma and misunderstanding around mental health.
By September we had recorded twenty interviews. These were transcribed in full and catalogued to establish a digital archive at Mind in Bexley. The collection included people’s first hand accounts of mental distress, their reflections on its causes, along with their thoughts on what had helped, or hampered, their journey to wellbeing.
Interviewing with a life story approach meant that birth stories, childhood adventures, working lives, achievements, passions and hopes for the future could also be recorded.
The project concluded with two audio visual workshops, lively days, full of tea, cake and conversation. We were joined by the photographer and filmmaker, Daniel Quinones. While Daniel took portrait photographs of participants, I recorded their memories around objects that had meaning to their mental health and wellbeing.
People shared stories of carpentry, songwriting, friendship, birthdays, Whitby and EastEnders, as well as several pieces of their own poetry and prose.
The project was exhibited at the National Trust’s Hall Place in November. Entitled People in Mind, it attracted almost 150 visitors in just two, very wintry, weeks.
Extracts from the life story interviews were grouped around the themes that had emerged during the project and these were displayed with the portrait photographs taken at the workshops.
When this project began, I thought I would be learning about the life of a dynamic organisation. Instead, through stories told with candour and insight, I have learned about the lives of the people who make up that organisation’s community. I’ve come to know them and have shared their journey for a short while. Visitors to the exhibition were invited to do the same.
Oral history intends for people to speak for themselves, so this post ends now with a sequence of short audio extracts from the archive.
Listen to audio clips from the People in Mind archive
Read a review of the exhibition by Jay, who participated in the project
Ruth
Ruth, Daniel and Mind in Bexley would like to thank Penny, Arthur and their colleagues at Calverts Co-operative for their generous help in the production and installation of the exhibition.
They would also like to thank the London Borough of Bexley for funding this work.
Jay reviews the People in Mind exhibition, reflecting on its "quiet simplicity and dramatic impact".
This exhibition was small, but powerful. There was a cathedral-like peace as one entered the glass doors into an elegant room, where people were almost reverentially gathered around this stand or that. If they spoke it was in hushed tones, always of appreciation.
As I drove my mobility scooter inside, I felt I was intruding somehow, especially when it became necessary to reverse in order to get to the other side from where I'd started; mobility scooters sound like reversing lorries, and in that small space the shriek was dreadful, but caused a chuckle...
I was more than impressed with the quiet simplicity, and dramatic impact as a result. I felt I had been done good to, just by seeing people like myself, in some wonderful photographs, with their comments joined together to make the most telling statements and affirmations of what Mind in Bexley is about, and what, especially, it has done for them.
It was a humbling experience, and very worth while. Thank you Ruth and Daniel.
Jay
6 Comments
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I had the pleasure of attending the People In Mind exhibition in November.
It was beautifully curated - thought provoking text gave an engaging narrative and the photographs were fantastic. Lovely to hear people’s voices here on the blog and to be reminded of my visit.
As somebody who doesn’t know very much about mental health issues, I was moved by the stories, particularly those about difficulties in finding paid work. What I learned has stayed with me, so thank you all involved. -
I found it very interesting to hear what a variety of stories came out of this project - it shows how wrong people are to jump to any conclusions about mental health. I haven't been able to visit the exhibition but have really enjoyed the photographs on this site and was touched listening to the clips. Thank you to all involved for your courage in sharing your experiences.
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This sounds like an exhibition that could and ought to be toured. Is there any possibility of that?
Thank you for almost nine minutes of recording - should be turned into a symphony - It certainly would be good to hear more.
Thank you!
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Thanks for the lovely comments, which we all very much appreciate.
The exhibition has been safely stored Craig, so although we don't have concrete plans for a tour right now, that's something that has been discussed and is possible.
Similarly, the digital archive is there to be built on and developed over time and participants were talking on Friday about additional future recordings they might like to make together.
It's great to know that the audiostream is being heard, thank you everyone for listening!
Ruth
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A lot of hard work has obviously gone into such beautiful simplicity, keeping the focus on the individual stories being told.
I agree - it would be lovely if this type of work was able to reach larger audiences! Here's to future work in this vein!
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Thanks Keely, for your thoughtful comments.
So much has been put into the project by everyone who took part - and we've had lots of support and encouragement along the way from the lovely team at Mind in Bexley.
It's uplifting to read such positive feedback, so thanks again!
Ruth
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