Annual Report - 2024 2025
LIVING HISTORY (NORTH EAST) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) Charity number 1100755 Company number 04696986
LIVING HISTORY NORTH EAST
-
Mission matter
-
~~=>~~ making LHNE aims to bring together, safeguard and to share living memories or oral histories across the region. Founded in 1995 we pioneer to develop innovative, creative and engaging use of oral histories. Enabling the recording of personal memories we develop opportunities for voices to be heard, often those marginalized
-
Provide an opportunity to develop new skills, access training and participate in programmes that encouraging diverse and inclusive community engagements opportunities for all.
-
The organisation has developed a range of engagement tools that include reminiscence and intergenerational practice as well as innovative community engagement and representation.
“There are great therapeutic benefits or enhancement-of-life benefits to the narrators doing an oral history. Benefits are directly in proportion to how rigorous a historical effort it is, and therefore, the less "therapeutic" ..the goal, the more therapeutic the result will be.” W. Baum (Version: May 8, 2014
Chairs Report ~~Dp~~
Living History North East operates its archive development from Norfolk Street Sunderland. LHNE is consolidating and continues to review its mission and vision moving forward in 2026.
A focus for the year was to secure its digital and archival assets. This was initiated with our work with
Community Sites and the development of a new portal to increase access to the collection. LHNE also want to secure a long term home for the collection and more front facing opportunities.
Building on these changes and moving forward, we hope to provide an accessible and developed resource for the community. This year has seen the ongoing work with Seascapes, ,building legacy and consolidating and the opportunity to look at new project developments.
The organisation continues to support the future development and capacity of The Donnison School Buildings as an independent asset and resource for the organisation.
I would like to thank the volunteers trustees and staff for their support.
Chairperson: Dr Susan Jane Jones
Review ~~Dp~~
Living History North East [LHNE] is continuing to promote, support and develop the recording, documentation and Interpretation of oral histories within the northeast region. As an organisation we often work as the heritage specialist to support project delivery. The demand for our services and resources are based largely on our expertise in training, advice for oral history projects that look at the community impact of this work; with additional specialism’s in oral history and reminiscence and oral history and intergenerational practice; often funded by HLF, local authorities or private sector sponsors. The work we have been involved in as a “heritage partner/specialist” or advisor has often focused on the process of the project and less on the archive/research value of new oral history audio/video recordings.
Review
Living History North East [LHNE] continued to worked alongside 6 other VCSE organisations in the east end of the city to explore and develop how community and voluntary organisations can influence real change through understanding lived experience and how this can impact real community change and development. Working with photographic volunteers to develop a photographic audit of the locality. This work has helped to develop potential new partnerships with regional academic institutions as well as local voluntary organisations.
Review
Living History North East [LHNE] secured funding from ‘Stronger Shores’ The project will explore ‘Place’ focusing on the Roker and Seaburn/Sunderland Coastline. It will develop knowledge and understanding of how that Place has changed, and the challenges faced by communities to protect that landscape over time and across the generations. The project will consider changes in attitudes and knowledge around issues that include, climate change, coastal erosion, environmental changes, local wildlife and the impact on the coastal community and how we improve our relationship with the natural environment. This will be explored and discovered by sharing experiences across generations, exploring and investigating coastal/environmental changes, including short and longer term consequences
Review
Living History North East [LHNE] continue to work with the Seascapes Project as part of the legacy developments. The Seascapes project secured additional funding to support the development of the new archive management system and a new front facing portal that will provide access to the collection and help to secure its future
The orgnaisation will be able to provide greater access to these resources for the community.
Finacial Review
Living History North East is funded by donations, grants and a variety of generated funds from activities. The total income for the year was £68, 919 (2024: £42,908) this income is allocated across respective funds on the Statement of Financial Activities in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP). The Balance Sheet at 31 March 2025 shows total funds carried forward of £512,554, of which fixed assets were £491,688.
Living History North East Ltd has maintained a small level of free reserves over the years currently there is £3000 free reserves to meet the working capital requirements of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. It has established a policy whereby the free unrestricted funds held by the charity should be between 3 and 6 months of annual expenditure. The present level of reserves falls significantly short of this target level. The trustees’ strategy is to build reserves through planned operating surpluses.
Annual Report - 2024 2025
LIVING HISTORY (NORTH EAST) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) Charity number 1100755 Company number 04696986
LIVING HISTORY NORTH EAST
-
Mission matter
-
~~=>~~ making LHNE aims to bring together, safeguard and to share living memories or oral histories across the region. Founded in 1995 we pioneer to develop innovative, creative and engaging use of oral histories. Enabling the recording of personal memories we develop opportunities for voices to be heard, often those marginalized
-
Provide an opportunity to develop new skills, access training and participate in programmes that encouraging diverse and inclusive community engagements opportunities for all.
-
The organisation has developed a range of engagement tools that include reminiscence and intergenerational practice as well as innovative community engagement and representation.
“There are great therapeutic benefits or enhancement-of-life benefits to the narrators doing an oral history. Benefits are directly in proportion to how rigorous a historical effort it is, and therefore, the less "therapeutic" ..the goal, the more therapeutic the result will be.” W. Baum (Version: May 8, 2014
Chairs Report ~~Dp~~
Living History North East operates its archive development from Norfolk Street Sunderland. LHNE is consolidating and continues to review its mission and vision moving forward in 2026.
A focus for the year was to secure its digital and archival assets. This was initiated with our work with
Community Sites and the development of a new portal to increase access to the collection. LHNE also want to secure a long term home for the collection and more front facing opportunities.
Building on these changes and moving forward, we hope to provide an accessible and developed resource for the community. This year has seen the ongoing work with Seascapes, ,building legacy and consolidating and the opportunity to look at new project developments.
The organisation continues to support the future development and capacity of The Donnison School Buildings as an independent asset and resource for the organisation.
I would like to thank the volunteers trustees and staff for their support.
Chairperson: Dr Susan Jane Jones
Review ~~Dp~~
Living History North East [LHNE] is continuing to promote, support and develop the recording, documentation and Interpretation of oral histories within the northeast region. As an organisation we often work as the heritage specialist to support project delivery. The demand for our services and resources are based largely on our expertise in training, advice for oral history projects that look at the community impact of this work; with additional specialism’s in oral history and reminiscence and oral history and intergenerational practice; often funded by HLF, local authorities or private sector sponsors. The work we have been involved in as a “heritage partner/specialist” or advisor has often focused on the process of the project and less on the archive/research value of new oral history audio/video recordings.
Review
Living History North East [LHNE] continued to worked alongside 6 other VCSE organisations in the east end of the city to explore and develop how community and voluntary organisations can influence real change through understanding lived experience and how this can impact real community change and development. Working with photographic volunteers to develop a photographic audit of the locality. This work has helped to develop potential new partnerships with regional academic institutions as well as local voluntary organisations.
Review
Living History North East [LHNE] secured funding from ‘Stronger Shores’ The project will explore ‘Place’ focusing on the Roker and Seaburn/Sunderland Coastline. It will develop knowledge and understanding of how that Place has changed, and the challenges faced by communities to protect that landscape over time and across the generations. The project will consider changes in attitudes and knowledge around issues that include, climate change, coastal erosion, environmental changes, local wildlife and the impact on the coastal community and how we improve our relationship with the natural environment. This will be explored and discovered by sharing experiences across generations, exploring and investigating coastal/environmental changes, including short and longer term consequences
Review
Living History North East [LHNE] continue to work with the Seascapes Project as part of the legacy developments. The Seascapes project secured additional funding to support the development of the new archive management system and a new front facing portal that will provide access to the collection and help to secure its future
The orgnaisation will be able to provide greater access to these resources for the community.
Finacial Review
Living History North East is funded by donations, grants and a variety of generated funds from activities. The total income for the year was £68, 919 (2024: £42,908) this income is allocated across respective funds on the Statement of Financial Activities in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP). The Balance Sheet at 31 March 2025 shows total funds carried forward of £512,554, of which fixed assets were £491,688.
Living History North East Ltd has maintained a small level of free reserves over the years currently there is £3000 free reserves to meet the working capital requirements of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. It has established a policy whereby the free unrestricted funds held by the charity should be between 3 and 6 months of annual expenditure. The present level of reserves falls significantly short of this target level. The trustees’ strategy is to build reserves through planned operating surpluses.
Annual Report - 2024 2025
LIVING HISTORY (NORTH EAST) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) Charity number 1100755 Company number 04696986
LIVING HISTORY NORTH EAST
-
Mission matter
-
~~=>~~ making LHNE aims to bring together, safeguard and to share living memories or oral histories across the region. Founded in 1995 we pioneer to develop innovative, creative and engaging use of oral histories. Enabling the recording of personal memories we develop opportunities for voices to be heard, often those marginalized
-
Provide an opportunity to develop new skills, access training and participate in programmes that encouraging diverse and inclusive community engagements opportunities for all.
-
The organisation has developed a range of engagement tools that include reminiscence and intergenerational practice as well as innovative community engagement and representation.
“There are great therapeutic benefits or enhancement-of-life benefits to the narrators doing an oral history. Benefits are directly in proportion to how rigorous a historical effort it is, and therefore, the less "therapeutic" ..the goal, the more therapeutic the result will be.” W. Baum (Version: May 8, 2014
Chairs Report ~~Dp~~
Living History North East operates its archive development from Norfolk Street Sunderland. LHNE is consolidating and continues to review its mission and vision moving forward in 2026.
A focus for the year was to secure its digital and archival assets. This was initiated with our work with
Community Sites and the development of a new portal to increase access to the collection. LHNE also want to secure a long term home for the collection and more front facing opportunities.
Building on these changes and moving forward, we hope to provide an accessible and developed resource for the community. This year has seen the ongoing work with Seascapes, ,building legacy and consolidating and the opportunity to look at new project developments.
The organisation continues to support the future development and capacity of The Donnison School Buildings as an independent asset and resource for the organisation.
I would like to thank the volunteers trustees and staff for their support.
Chairperson: Dr Susan Jane Jones
Review ~~Dp~~
Living History North East [LHNE] is continuing to promote, support and develop the recording, documentation and Interpretation of oral histories within the northeast region. As an organisation we often work as the heritage specialist to support project delivery. The demand for our services and resources are based largely on our expertise in training, advice for oral history projects that look at the community impact of this work; with additional specialism’s in oral history and reminiscence and oral history and intergenerational practice; often funded by HLF, local authorities or private sector sponsors. The work we have been involved in as a “heritage partner/specialist” or advisor has often focused on the process of the project and less on the archive/research value of new oral history audio/video recordings.
Review
Living History North East [LHNE] continued to worked alongside 6 other VCSE organisations in the east end of the city to explore and develop how community and voluntary organisations can influence real change through understanding lived experience and how this can impact real community change and development. Working with photographic volunteers to develop a photographic audit of the locality. This work has helped to develop potential new partnerships with regional academic institutions as well as local voluntary organisations.
Review
Living History North East [LHNE] secured funding from ‘Stronger Shores’ The project will explore ‘Place’ focusing on the Roker and Seaburn/Sunderland Coastline. It will develop knowledge and understanding of how that Place has changed, and the challenges faced by communities to protect that landscape over time and across the generations. The project will consider changes in attitudes and knowledge around issues that include, climate change, coastal erosion, environmental changes, local wildlife and the impact on the coastal community and how we improve our relationship with the natural environment. This will be explored and discovered by sharing experiences across generations, exploring and investigating coastal/environmental changes, including short and longer term consequences
Review
Living History North East [LHNE] continue to work with the Seascapes Project as part of the legacy developments. The Seascapes project secured additional funding to support the development of the new archive management system and a new front facing portal that will provide access to the collection and help to secure its future
The orgnaisation will be able to provide greater access to these resources for the community.
Finacial Review
Living History North East is funded by donations, grants and a variety of generated funds from activities. The total income for the year was £68, 919 (2024: £42,908) this income is allocated across respective funds on the Statement of Financial Activities in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP). The Balance Sheet at 31 March 2025 shows total funds carried forward of £512,554, of which fixed assets were £491,688.
Living History North East Ltd has maintained a small level of free reserves over the years currently there is £3000 free reserves to meet the working capital requirements of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. It has established a policy whereby the free unrestricted funds held by the charity should be between 3 and 6 months of annual expenditure. The present level of reserves falls significantly short of this target level. The trustees’ strategy is to build reserves through planned operating surpluses.