Community Stories – Community Archives project
Scottish Council on Archives (SCA) is currently undertaking a two-year project to support the development and accessibility of community archives in Scotland. The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Community Stories – Community Archives project aims to help community groups across Scotland who have amazing archival material with cataloguing, preserving and managing these collections. Alongside this, the project recognises that Scotland’s history belongs to everyone and aims to give groups the opportunity to consider how they might engage and expand their audiences through guidance in inclusive practice. In delivering online and offline workshops, one-to-one training with professional archivists, and with support from diversity experts, we hope to help enrich and improve access to community archives.
The project will generate case studies and resources that will be published online for existing and future groups, building on SCA’s community archives toolkit.
In-person workshops: So far, 3 workshops have been held in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth. Our team of archivists delivered training in cataloguing, preservation, archive engagement and volunteer management. The Diverse Heritage Team at Scottish Civic Trust and Roots Scotland Project at West of Scotland Regional Equalities Council led sessions focussed on creating inclusive heritage events through partnership and co-creation, as well as discussing some of the challenges faced by minority ethnic groups in accessing heritage. These workshops also provided community groups the opportunity to come together and hear about the challenges and successes of other groups. Future dates and locations to be confirmed!
Online archive skill sessions: Archive skills sessions were delivered online via Zoom in October 2024 and February/March 2025. These 1-hour sessions included a presentation delivered by a professional archivist followed by a Q&A session. Topics included cataloguing, preservation, archive outreach and copyright & legal matters. More sessions are set to take place in June. You can find out more information and book a place on Eventbrite.
1:1 group support: As well as general in-person and online training, the project will deliver bespoke 1:1 support to community groups focused on cataloguing and managing archive collections.
Your Scottish Archives: A key part of the project is the facility to upload catalogues to Your Scottish Archives. Scottish Council on Archives can provide support at any stage in the process and are happy to discuss this with your community group in more detail. Get in touch with the team at your@scottisharchives.org.uk
Get involved!
If you are part of a community group interested in training in cataloguing or managing your collection, please get in touch with Grania Diver at g.diver@scottisharchives.org.uk
Keep an eye out for details of upcoming events on SCA’s Eventbrite page and social media channels or contact g.diver@scottisharchives.org.uk to be added to the project mailing list.
All events are free to attend thanks to generous support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
