Connecting Communities Digitally: Insights from The National Archives Workshop 💻🤝

Today, I attended a deeply inspiring workshop hosted by The National Archives, exploring how heritage organisations can harness digital tools to build stronger, more inclusive community connections and make cultural heritage accessible to all.

📚 Three Inspiring Case Studies

Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) 🎶

The Mooch app offers a free, geotagged music tour across Manchester’s city centre, blending archival recordings from reel-to-reel tapes to digital formats. Complementary projects like Toasted and DigTV use 3D scans of instruments and storytelling platforms to bring music heritage to life, making it accessible and engaging for diverse audiences.

Marx’s Memorial Library and Workers' School ☭

This heritage charity connects deeply with local communities, schools, and activists to share radical social history. Their event Reds on the Green celebrated Manchester’s activist past through workshops and exhibitions at a community centre, fostering new volunteers and vibrant local engagement beyond academic circles.

Historic England 📸

Showcasing the A WAAF's Tale: The Knicky Chapman Collection, Historic England uses digital tools and social media to amplify heritage stories nationwide. Their innovative mobile kits equip the public to create and share content, reaching millions and expanding heritage’s reach across England.

🗂️ What the Session Covered

Community-Centred Design

Co-creating digital projects with communities from the outset ensures heritage work reflects authentic stories and needs, fostering inclusivity and dignity.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Providing multilingual, clear, and accessible digital content breaks down barriers, inviting everyone to engage meaningfully.

Social Media as a Dialogue Space

Beyond promotion, social media is a vibrant platform for storytelling and building heritage communities through conversation and shared experiences.

Digital Skills Development

Training heritage professionals and community members in digital skills supports sustainable engagement, creativity, and confidence.

🥡 Takeaways I’m Bringing Forward

As a museum professional and natural history enthusiast, this workshop reinforced for me the vital role of digital tools in community outreach. Whether through virtual tours, interactive collections, or online storytelling, digital engagement expands the reach and impact of heritage work beyond physical spaces.

I’m inspired to apply these insights to my projects, focusing on inclusivity and active community participation.

✨ Final Thoughts

Digital engagement is a powerful, compassionate pathway to making heritage meaningful and just. The innovative work shared today—from cutting-edge apps to grassroots events and nationwide outreach—embodies a sustainable stewardship of our shared histories, honouring the past, present, and future with care and courage.

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🗃️ Check out The National Archives' Website

🎶 Check out Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM)'s Website

☭ Check out Marx’s Memorial Library and Worker’s School's Website

📸 Check out Historic England's Website