The Old Vicarage Care Home in Clay Cross, Chesterfield celebrates its partnership with The Mining Project, a remarkable initiative dedicated to capturing and preserving the rich history of local mining communities. This collaboration aims to ensure that the invaluable memories and experiences of former miners are recorded and celebrated for future generations.
The Mining Project, which has been making waves across the region, is known for its innovative approach to documenting the stories of those who worked in the coal mines. By partnering with The Old Vicarage Care Home, the project will gain direct access to residents who have first-hand experience of the mining industry, many of whom spent their working lives underground or in mining-related occupations.
As part of this partnership, The Old Vicarage Care Home will host a series of engaging sessions where residents can share their personal stories, memories, and insights about life in the mines. These sessions will be recorded and added to The Mining Project’s growing archive, ensuring that these important narratives are preserved in their own words.
In addition to recording verbal histories, the partnership will involve creative activities, including photo exhibitions and memory-sharing events, where residents can connect with younger generations and the wider community. The collaboration will also see the introduction of the “Cycling Without Age” initiative, which allows elderly residents to enjoy outdoor rides on specially designed trishaws while reminiscing about the local landscape and its mining heritage.
Jordele Folkes, Manager of The Old Vicarage Care Home, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are incredibly proud to partner with The Mining Project. Many of our residents have deep ties to the mining industry, and this collaboration offers them a wonderful opportunity to share their stories and be part of a larger effort to preserve our local heritage. It’s important to keep these memories alive, not just for our residents, but for the community as a whole.”
A Coordinator of The Mining Project, added, “Working with The Old Vicarage Care Home is a fantastic opportunity to engage with individuals who have lived through the mining era. Their stories are an integral part of our local history, and through this partnership, we can ensure that these voices are heard and remembered.”
The Old Vicarage Care Home and The Mining Project invite members of the local community to get involved in this initiative by attending upcoming events and supporting the effort to preserve these essential stories.