Heritage Heroes of Yesterday and Today

A still from The Suffragettes video made by the young participants
A still from the Suffragettes video, created by the South West Youth Parliament

Young Roots

Date awarded
Location
Bishop's Hull & Taunton West
Local Authority
Somerset
Applicant
Dorset Council
Award Given
£20600
South West Youth Parliament members took part in a project to learn about people who campaigned for change in their communities and in politics.

Young people worked with the Parliamentary Outreach Service, Trade Union Congress and Somerset Heritage Services, with support from the Regional Youth Work Unit, to find out about the Suffragettes, the Tolpuddle Martyrs and MPs in the region who protested against slavery and social injustice.

The young participants learned about heritage through:

  • research sessions at the Somerset Heritage Centre
  • workshops and visits to Tolpuddle Museums, Shire Hall and the Museum of Somerset
  • researching the Parliamentary Archives 

They also developed skills in research and media through writing press releases and undertaking radio interviews.

The young people then shared what they learned, creating a digital archive of short films and recordings – allowing the heritage of local political figures to be better interpreted and explained.

YouTube videos created by the South West Youth Parliament focus on The Suffragettes, The Abolition of Slavery and The Tolpuddle Martyrs.

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