Get ready to delve into the heart of Carrick Hill's vibrant past! A wonderful new interactive storytelling project has launched, bringing a rich collection of local stories, cherished memories, and fascinating archive footage right to your fingertips. Developed in collaboration with Nerve Centre and Belfast Stories, and working closely with the Carrick Hill Residents' Association, this innovative initiative ensures the area's unique heritage is preserved and celebrated for everyone.
At the core of this project is an interactive portal, now easily accessible on a touchscreen within the Carrick Hill Community Centre. Here, local people can enjoy free access to around 60 pieces of hyper-local community content, all telling the diverse stories of the area. This treasure trove includes decades of video and audio recordings from a community archive of old cassettes and VHS tapes, which were previously at risk of being lost forever. Nerve Centre played a crucial role in capturing, digitising, and cataloguing this invaluable material.
The journey began in July 2024 when Nerve Centre first engaged with the Carrick Hill Community Group. What started as a plan for a short-term project to create immersive films quickly evolved. Through engaging storytelling sessions, residents shared their memories of Carrick Hill through the years, while community leaders highlighted the importance of their existing archive – a powerful collection documenting the area and its people.
Frank Dempsey from the Carrick Hill Residents' Association shared his enthusiasm, stating, "These stories belong to the people of Carrick Hill, so it means a great deal to have them archived, protected and – most importantly – shared and enjoyed again. Places like Carrick Hill have a rich community history and legacy that can give people a real sense of pride and belonging." He added that it’s already sparking interest across generations: "Already we are seeing younger people discovering the history of their community in a way that feels accessible to them, whilst our older residents are coming in and recognising faces, places and memories that are helping them rekindle their deep-rooted connection to the community. It’s a genuine joy to be able to capture and share our story for future generations."
The project utilised bespoke ‘Story Engine’ technology, developed through the Augment the City programme, to enhance the quality of the video and audio footage, catalogue material, and identify connections between different stories. Niall Kerr, Head of Heritage and Community Relations at Nerve Centre, commented, "This project is a compelling example of how technology can support community storytelling. By working closely with Carrick Hill Community Group and taking time to build trust, we have been able to help unlock an archive at risk of being lost and give a rich and rewarding experience back to the people of Carrick Hill."
Belfast Stories and Nerve Centre are committed to supporting communities in discovering, capturing, and storing their stories for long-term use. Wendy Langham, Programme Director of Belfast Stories, highlighted, "The Carrick Hill story project captures exactly what Belfast Stories is about — communities leading the way in telling their own stories, in their own voice. These memories, archives and personal experiences help us understand the city through the people who know it best. Communities across the city will continue to play an important role in shaping the wider Belfast Stories journey."
The Carrick Hill archive portal is available for everyone to explore at the Carrick Hill Residents' Association. We encourage you to visit the centre, have a look, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of local history. There are also plans for further events and community activities to encourage even more people to explore and contribute to this incredible collection.