Remedies Remembered

Community-based organisation Slough Roots, who led this project, promote wellbeing and develop adult education opportunities for diverse ethnic groups in Slough.

In this project, eight volunteers were recruited through community groups at Age Concern and Slough Library. They were all older women from English, Asian and West Indian backgrounds.

These volunteers visited heritage sites linked to the traditional use of herbs and modern medicine such as Langley Park, Chelsea Physic Garden and the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading.  

Even though we are from different parts of the world, it’s interesting to know that many of the remedies we use are the same. It’s nice to find a common ground.

Oral history participant

They were trained in oral history techniques and interviewed a wide range of Slough residents, about traditional healing remedies from around the world still used in the UK today.

After one year, the project resulted in a printed booklet of ‘Remedies Remembered’ made available at Slough Library and oral history discussion packs for primary schools. Three library exhibitions took place and the volunteers gained an Open College Network accreditation.