Living Histories

In this special Meridian FM series, we explore Living Histories – a groundbreaking oral history project from Heads On and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust capturing the voices of people who have used or worked in NHS mental health services across Sussex.

Through powerful first-hand accounts, the series shares honest stories of care, recovery, identity, stigma and resilience, documenting experiences from the closure of the old asylums through to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Featuring voices rarely heard in public records, the programme shines a light on the human stories behind mental health services and why lived experience matters.

As part of the Living Histories project, the exhibition will be at Crawley Library from Monday 4 May to Friday 15 May.

Visitors can experience audio from the oral history recordings, learn more about changes in mental health care from the closure of the old asylums through to the Covid-19 pandemic, and reflect on voices rarely heard in public records.

Admission is free during normal library opening hours.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this series or need mental health support, you can get help through your GP, local NHS mental health services, the Samaritans on 116 123, Mind, the NHS 111 service, or by calling 999 in an emergency where someone is at immediate risk.