Harrow in Voices
From Stanmore Common to Harrow-on-the-Hill
Please note, this project is now in development and applications for participants has closed.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects on people’s lives all over the globe, in particular on the mental health and wellbeing of older people in the community. We expect the situation to continue to impact on people’s lives and social interactions over the upcoming months.
With climate crisis on the rise, there are suggestions that green spaces in Harrow (and more widely in urban areas) are decreasing. We know how important green spaces are to people, particularly during times of isolation, and so have come up with a project we hope will celebrate green spaces and connect people across the borough through their shared stories.
We will be creating a 60-minute audio walk, combining verbatim stories from residents of Harrow with a bespoke sound design. The process will begin with an online workshop with participants, to share stories, make connections and stimulate inspiration for follow-up interviews. Recordings will then be edited together to create a free downloadable audio-walk, perfect to listen to on walk through green spaces in Harrow or at home.
The project will focus on the following questions:
1) Where do you walk and why do you walk there?
2) What do the green spaces in Harrow mean to you, your health, and your community?
3) Do you have any stories from your time in green spaces across Harrow that are particularly important or memorable for you?
Studies have shown direct links between walking in green spaces on both mental and physical health, which will be crucial to look after over the upcoming months.
Callout for Participants
We are looking for participants aged 18+ who are based in the London Borough of Harrow to take part in our audio walk project.
You'll need to be available for an online group workshop and 1:1 online interview (2 hours in total) in January 2021. All participants will be paid a £25 fee (or we can offer alternative forms of payment, such as shopping vouchers).
To apply please complete our short application (links at top of page) including either a 100 word statement or 2 minute audio/video recording which responds to some of the following or tells us why you'd like to take part:
-
Tell us a bit of information about yourself, including your connection with Harrow
-
What do the green spaces in Harrow mean to you, your health or your community?
-
Do you have a particular memory about a time in a Harrow green space?
We are particularly keen to hear from residents who are aged 50+ for this project.
The deadline for applications is 16 December 2020 at 11.59pm.
If you are a D/deaf or disabled applicant with additional access requirements, you are welcome to apply up until our extended deadline on Sunday 20 December 2pm.
You will need a device that has access to the internet. Recordings will take place via Zoom. We can support with this and provide equipment / technical assistance if you need it, so please don't let this stop you from applying. Just let us know in your application.
We have additional funding to support any access requirements (i.e., BSL interpreter, captioning, special equipment, etc.) so please tell us what we can help you with in your application.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England
