More than £130,000 in funding has been secured to celebrate the lives, achievements and challenges of people with disabilities living in Suffolk.
Suffolk Archives will use the funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver the Beyond Labels initiative.
Beyond Labels will gather personal stories and the histories of organisations, schools and charities that support disabled people, to create a record that not only celebrates disability but also sparks conversations about inclusion, accessibility and equality.
Suffolk Archives will work closely with local schools and community groups, offering free workshops for recording, organising and preserving archives.
Workshops will also allow participants to co-create projects that amplify disabled voices and educate on daily life challenges.
A significant result of the project will be a free public exhibition at The Hold which is set to run from February to May 2026.
The exhibition will celebrate the stories collected through the project and encourage greater awareness and empathy throughout Suffolk.
Nadia Cenci, cabinet member for communities, Suffolk County Council, said: "I’m delighted that this project has received the backing of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
"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, National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "We are pleased to support Suffolk Archives with a grant of £139,000 to collect and explore stories of people with disabilities working with local schools and community groups.
"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."
Share