Introduction

Led by Group Recovery Aftercare Community Enterprise (GRACE), funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, and supported by Oral History Research & Training Consultancy, ‘Reflections of Trauma, Challenges, and Healing: An oral history’ focuses on participants’ lived-experiences of trauma. The project explores real life examples of trauma and the ensuing challenges experienced by individuals and their families. The project supports GRACE members’ concerns about the paucity of such material available to the public, and that accessible research was written by others rather than those who have experienced trauma. Members of GRACE and other individuals not only shared their stories but also contributed digital copies of their artwork, poems and creative writing – materials that are sometimes more powerful than their oral testimony. Some participants wished to retain anonymity but agreed to use pseudonyms and allowed their contributions to be uploaded to the project website and there made available to everyone. Copies of the whole archive will be preserved by GRACE and Communities Past & Futures Society.

Interviews were conducted in 2022 by volunteers and staff trained by a professional oral historian and supported by GRACE staff throughout the project. Most of the respondents were already known to GRACE; others heard about the project and were keen to have their experiences recorded and added to the archive. Their memories are often heart-breaking and informative but also warm, sincere, and inspirational, and we are truly grateful to them for being so honest and open with us. Apart from creating this wonderful oral history archive, the resulting oral testimonies have unveiled the rich community spirit which exists in and around GRACE’s two bases in Hillhead and Auchinairn.

We hope that you enjoy this website, and if it inspires you to listen to the interviews and watch the project film.

If you would like to learn more about GRACE and its activities you can do so at: https://graceaftercare.org/