An October Update From Community Archives and Heritage Group Scotland

Starting a new group during a pandemic can be challenging. So far, we have had a fantastic response to our recent events and people following us on twitter, @CArchivesScot.

First working group meeting

We had our first working group meeting on the 21st July and pleased to have representatives from all parts of Scotland, the Outer Hebrides to the Scottish Borders and everywhere in between. We are very keen to encourage more volunteers from community groups to join the committee and delighted if people want to find out more or just want to attend the next meeting as there is no pressure to do anything other than give us your opinion. Do drop me an email. We were delighted Sharon McMeekin, Head of Workforce Development, Digital Preservation Coalition gave her time on the 16th September to discuss the benefits of the online digital preservation course, Novice to Know-How, for people working in community archives and heritage groups. There was an opportunity to ask questions and a link to sign up for the free course. The course is part of The National Archives’ new digital capacity building strategy, ‘Plugged In, Powered Up’. Sharon explained how the course aims to provide beginners with the skills required to develop and implement simple digital preservation workflows within their archive or group. The successful day will be repeated as part of the CAHG series of webinars on the 7th December and again people will have the chance to ask questions and sign up for the Novice to Know-How Course.

Next event

Our next event in the calendar is Friday 13th November and I do hope you can drop in and join us for a cup of tea and a blether while learning how community groups in Scotland are using sporting archives and other resources to help people with mental health issues such as dementia, people living in isolation, depression and loneliness while also supporting their families and carers. These issues are heightened during Covid19 and highlight the importance of communities around wellbeing and providing support.  Our event is called Sporting Memories Cafe - Sharing Stories and Supporting Communities.  All are welcome and you’ll hear about fantastic community projects from the Highlands to the Scottish Borders, whether its football, golf, rugby or shinty; there is something for everyone and a chance to share memories. Hugh Dan MacLennan Scottish broadcaster, author and sporting academic will start the day and Michael White, who developed the Football Reminiscence Project with the Scottish Football Museum and Alzheimer Scotland, will round off the day. you can also hear about the research behind the projects from Professor Richard Haynes, University of Stirling and why they are funded by charities such as Life Changes Trust.

Being Human Festival

We are delighted to be part of the Being Human Festival the UK’s national festival of the humanities, led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London in partnership with the Arts & Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. Sign up here. Drop by for any sessions that interest you!