Hear from local people and find out how volunteering has helped organisations across the borough.
Wigan Borough's archives and local studies
Yvonne's story
For the past ten or more years I've volunteered at archives and local studies two or three mornings a week. Over these years I've been given the opportunity to research and write a number of articles for Past Forward magazine. Researching these articles has broadened my knowledge, allowing me to observe snapshots of how various people from different walks of life thought, acted and lived in the past. In this way it has added an important dimension to my everyday life.
I've discovered the pleasure of peeping into the past when opening a 200 year old document. I find the search room a peaceful and welcoming place where my companions and I feel free to share ideas and snippets of information.
Thomas's story
I started volunteering with archives and local studies when I was 16 years old. Part of my time as a volunteer has been spent doing research, family history and customer enquiries.
Not only did my time as a volunteer add to my CV but I’ve also been able to use the collections for my own research on my blog, Past Forward articles, and for undergraduate and postgraduate work.
Volunteering has not only encouraged my love of local history but has also inspired my career in academia.