Be a part of Change Minds 2023

Are you a SLaM service user, employee or volunteer who is interested in history? Bethlem Museum is looking for SLaM service users (or those on waiting lists), staff and volunteers who would be interested in taking part in an archival research project, called Change Minds.

Over the course of 12 weeks, we will be holding sessions at the museum to investigate the lives of some of those who were treated at Bethlem Royal Hospital in the Victorian period. Working with the museum Archivist, David Luck and Learning and Outreach Officer, Amy Moffat, these sessions will cover how to read the Bethlem records, how to make the most of genealogical websites and advice on how to write up your research. To help with this process, we will be visiting the Imperial War Museum and the Croydon Record Office. You will then be given a chance to reflect on your work and respond creatively to your research. By the end of the project, there will be a blog post on the website dedicated to your findings, and a small temporary exhibition in the museum displaying your creative work.

We will be meeting at the museum every Friday between 10.00 – 13.00 (except for bank holidays) with the first meeting taking place on Friday 27 January. As a voluntary participant the museum can cover your travel costs to and from the museum, up to £14.40.

You can find out more information about the project here. If this is something that you would be interested in please email [email protected] or [email protected]. We look forward to meeting you!