Why it matters: Beyond Labels: Celebrating Disability in Suffolk will create a lasting record that honours the resilience and contributions of people with disabilities, while helping wider communities better understand the barriers they face today.
The project aims to preserve experiences of life in the UK that might otherwise go unrecorded.
The details: Suffolk Archives has been awarded £139,107 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver the project, which will collect and preserve personal stories alongside the histories of organisations, schools, and charities that support people with disabilities.
The initiative will work with local schools and community groups, offering free workshops that teach skills in recording, organising, and preserving archives.
Workshops around the county will provide opportunities for participants to co-create projects that amplify disabled voices and educate others about the challenges faced in daily life.
The project also includes cataloguing and selective digitisation of existing disability-related records, making them more accessible to the public and ensuring that Suffolk Archives reflects the diversity of society today.
What's happening next: The project begins with the recruitment of a dedicated project officer and volunteers, the launch of a community forum, and a programme of activities designed to capture and share lived experiences.
A free public exhibition will run at The Hold on Ipswich Waterfront from February to May 2026. Co-curated with local communities, the exhibition will celebrate the stories collected through the project and encourage greater awareness and empathy across Suffolk.
What they're saying: Councillor Nadia Cenci, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for communities, said: "Beyond Labels is not only about uncovering Suffolk's disability history, but also about celebrating the people with disabilities living in our communities today. By sharing their voices, we can build greater understanding and help more people feel a sense of belonging in Suffolk."
Liz Bates, director for England, Midlands and East at The National Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will be able to preserve and highlight experiences of life in the UK that might otherwise go unrecorded."
The bottom line: By documenting both historical and contemporary experiences of disability in Suffolk, Beyond Labels seeks to create a more inclusive archive that reflects the full diversity of the county's communities while fostering greater understanding of the challenges that people with disabilities continue to face.
