Represent Project Introduction

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Date:1918

Description:‘Represent’ is a community heritage project exploring the impact of WW1 and gaining the vote on the lives of Birmingham’s people. The People’s Heritage Co-operative was awarded a National Lottery grant in December 2018. They will work with two community organisations in Birmingham to find out more about how the city’s people responded to the tumultuous events of the period following WW1. The project will culminate in a touring exhibition.

'Represent' focuses specifically on the impact and legacy in Birmingham of the 'Representation of the People Act, 1918'. Extending the franchise in 1918 to include most men, and for the first time some women, had a radical impact on political representation, campaigning and the development of civic life in Birmingham. It was the beginning of an exciting era of ideas and activism. Coupled with the huge upheavals of the First World War and citizens’ responses to this, the post-1918 period of Birmingham's history is rich with important stories which still have resonance today.
Working alongside The Active Wellbeing Society, the project will engage with members of the Saheli Hub and Edgbaston Community Centre. The project will focus both on women's historic role as active citizens and historic housing campaigns in Birmingham.
Through exploring local archives and drawing on their own lived experiences, the groups will 're-present' their archival research for new audiences through a new touring exhibition, co-created with local Artists, due to tour to leisure centres and other community venues in Spring and Summer 2020.
The following gallery comprises material from Birmingham Archives and Collections that has formed part of this research