Project aims to highlight lives of disabled people

Suffolk Archives has received more than £139,000 in funding and will hold a free public exhibition at The Hold in Ipswich

The lives, achievements and challenges of disabled people are to be highlighted in a new project.

Suffolk Archives has been awarded a grant of £139,107 for Beyond Labels: Celebrating Disability in Suffolk.

The project will work towards a free public exhibition at The Hold in Ipswich, from February to May next year.

Liz Bates, from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which has funded the project, said it would preserve and highlight stories "that might otherwise go unrecorded".

It aims to collect and preserve personal stories while helping create a record that celebrates disabilities and sparks conversations.

The project will collect histories of organisations, schools and charities that support disabled people.

It will begin with the recruitment of a dedicated project officer and volunteers, the launch of a community forum and a programme of activities.

"We are pleased to support Suffolk Archives with a grant of £139,000 to collect and explore stories of people with disabilities, working with local schools and community groups," said Ms Bates.

"Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will be able to preserve and highlight experiences of life in the UK that might otherwise go unrecorded."

Nadia Cenci, Suffolk County Council's Conservative cabinet member for communities, said she was "delighted" the project had received funding.

"Beyond Labels is not only about uncovering Suffolk's disability history, but also about celebrating the people with disabilities living in our communities today," she said.

"By sharing their voices, we can build greater understanding and help more people feel a sense of belonging in Suffolk."