A new project has launched in Dudley that aims to explore what life was like for residents who grew up in the town.

Supported via the National Lottery Heritage Fund, through the Townscape Heritage programme, and in partnership with Dudley Council, the project produced by Fused and CoLab Dudley, will explore and celebrate Dudley’s rich heritage and vibrant present through photography, art, publications and stories.

The team behind the project is hoping that the lockdown will offer an opportunity for people to look through their photo albums and share their memories. The project's founder, David O’Coy, said:

“We’d love to see any photos that people have locked away in their albums or old video or cine footage that will help us build a picture of growing up across the borough. We want to gather people’s stories that they’d like to share.

"If anyone has pictures of growing up in any decade we’d really like to see them. It could be people taking part in events or images of the street where they lived. Or it could be people hanging out in their teenage bedroom, we really don’t mind.

“We’ve put together some resources that are available to download from our website, or we can post out to people. We hope that they will help spark memories that we can share on our website and in an exhibition.

"There are two fun worksheets; one is for young people to use to interview older relatives so that they can find out more about their stories and memories. The other worksheet is for anyone who’d like to take part. Everyone is very welcome to join in so we can build a record of all the communities that make up Dudley.

During social distancing restrictions we can arrange safe pick-up or posting of items and photos or people can scan or take photos and email them to us. We can do interviews online with people and, when allowed, hopefully in person. We want to record people who are from the area and find out what gives Dudley such a unique character.”

The project has been gathering stories and images via social media, through the Dudley Peoples Archive Facebook page and Growing Up In Dudley Facebook group.

Pictures don't have to be professional; the archive team are looking for a rounded snapshot of life in Dudley that can illustrate what people’s life was like during the 20th and 21st century.

The images and stories will form a series of publications and video as well as being displayed at a new space in Dudley. 'CoLab' is a social lab space on the High Street that opened just before the first lockdown. The space exists to help imagine and nurture a kinder, more creative and connected High Street where curiosity and experimentation are warmly welcomed. 

If you have photographs, stories, videos, drawings, paintings, postcards, poems and objects to include in this ever-evolving picture of the town and what it was like to grow up there then you can email David or visit the website at dudleypeoplesarchive.com.