Young Roots
Positive Start was first established in August 2003 and works to empower young people and community members from diverse backgrounds.
Led by a team of young volunteers, the project captured the thoughts, memories and stories of Bangladeshi’s, exploring the lives they lived in Rossendale from the 1950s onwards. The project offered training in heritage research and oral history interviewing skills. The young volunteers had the opportunity to interview first generation Bangladeshi migrants in Rossendale, including their own parents and grandparents.
The group also carried out research visits to a number of heritage organisations, collecting further information to go alongside their oral history interviews. The project shared the heritage material and stories gathered, by producing illustrated books, creating a website, and sharing film activities on YouTube.
The project ended with a celebratory event to share the achievements of Rossendale’s first generation Bangladeshis and showcase the young people’s work. The event was attended by over 150 people.