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PRESS RELEASE
To mark the International Day for Disabled People and Disability History Month, Screen South is delighted to announce the launch of the first film produced as part of the groundbreaking disability project, History of Place, made possible by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
The film, which shares the little known history of one of Bristol’s historic buildings, The Guild of the Brave Poor Things, will be screened at M Shed, Bristol on Saturday 3rd December from 2pm – 3pm. There will be an opportunity to hear about the filmmaking process from those involved, including some of the young participants discussing the film. There will also be an introduction from Esther Fox, head of the Accentuate programme and speakers on this year’s Disability History Month’s theme: language.
Founded in 1894, Bristol’s Guild of the Brave Poor Things brought together disabled people from across Bristol for meetings, lectures, apprenticeships and holidays. As part of the History of Place project, volunteer researchers have been working in the local museums and archives, uncovering the lost stories of those who joined as members of the Guild. Volunteers have also been exploring the design and build of the groundbreaking Guild Heritage House in Old Market, Bristol. These stories were used to inspire a group of local young disabled people to make this short film which explores the significance of possibly the first purpose built building for disabled people in the country, the admissions process and attitudes to access.
Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, History of Place is a nationally significant social history programme, charting disabled people’s lives from the middle ages until the late 20th Century in relation to built heritage. The project will investigate and animate eight important built heritage sites, with the objective of elevating this history to greater prominence. History of Place is part of the Accentuate Programme, which provides life changing opportunities for deaf and disabled people to participate and lead in the cultural sector.
History of Place is enabling local people to participate in archive research, workshops and events about the history of the eight historic sites. It will also deliver three large scale exhibitions in 2017 and 2018, in partnership with M Shed Bristol, The V&A London and the Museum of Liverpool to bring this little known heritage to the wider public. Come along to this event to find out more about History of Place and The Guild of the Brave Poor Things.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk @heritagelottery
About Screen South / Accentuate
Screen South is a not for profit Creative Development company operating in the wider creative and cultural community. Accentuate is one of Screen South’s portfolio of projects.
As well as managing and delivering creative projects Screen South is involved with wide ranging partners to deliver educational and training programmes using various medium including film and other creative practices.
Screen South has had a long involvement in the Heritage sector through its involvement with regional film archives and projects like the Digital Film Archive Programme, delivering the hugely successful Kent in WW1 project and through the Accentuate programme which provided training in improving access and interpretation of Heritage sites in partnership with the Heritage Open Days initiative.
Accentuate, operating under the organisational umbrella of Screen South, launched in December 2009 as the 2012 Legacy Programme for the South East inspired by the Paralympic Movement. Accentuate developed and led a transformational programme of 15 major cultural projects during that time which harnessed the power of art, culture and heritage to engage the wider public with disabled people and disability related issues in order to challenge and shift perceptions. Accentuate continues to challenge perceptions of disability by providing life changing opportunities for Deaf and disabled people to participate and lead within the cultural sector. For further information, images and interviews, please contact:
Esther Fox, Head of Accentuate Programme at Screen South on 01303 259777 or esther.fox@accentuateuk.org