Discover Darnall. Learn Skills. Share Your Story.

A community project bringing Darnall residents together to explore local history, learn new skills and share stories through film and creative practice.

What is the project about?

What stories have shaped Darnall? Darnall Creates History explores the people, places and cultures that make this neighbourhood unique. Throughout 2027 local people will come together for cinema club, archive & creative workshops, community filmmaking and heritage walks. Together, we’ll discover local history, learn new skills and share the stories that matter to us. This community project is led by Brightbox Makerspace with Sheffield Young Explorers, Darnall Well Being, Dig Where You Stand, White Teeth, Maya Productions & Sheffield City Council. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“Darnall history is much more complex, diverse and significant than is commonly understood. It is a history of early migration, steelworking, deindustrialisation, community activism and all the struggles, solidarity and everyday encounters that come with it. Many of the most important stories are held by local people themselves. Darnall Creates History is about creating opportunities for residents to explore those stories in accessible, relevant and creative ways. We hope these stories help shape how Darnall is understood now and in the future”.

Alex Rajinder Mason, Brightbox Project Lead

What will happen in the project?

Regular activities will take place throughout 2027. They are designed to help residents discover local history, learn new skills and connect with their community. Join us for:

Cinema Club
Community Filmmaking
Creative Workshops
Heritage Walks

More information on each activity will be shared soon.

Why this project matters

Darnall has a rich industrial history and has been shaped by generations of people from different cultures and backgrounds. While some parts of this history are well known, many stories have never been recorded or shared publicly.

Darnall Creates History will support residents to explore these stories and develop creative and technical skills through community filmmaking, storytelling and research.

The project aims not only to uncover stories from Darnall’s past, but also to help local people continue sharing those stories in the future.

“Darnall Creates History is a much-needed project in Darnall, because it enables our community to understand our history, our home, our sanctuary and safe space, and fast forward to the type of community and space we want to continue to live in. For us at Sheffield Young Explorers, we are excited to be part of this unique project with Brightbox and other partners. We hope we can continue to work with our communities to reflect your voice, your history and bring us together to write our own next chapter as Darnall residents.”

Alima Ashfaq, Co-Founder of Sheffield Young Explorers

Project Partners

This project is led by Brightbox Makerspace, in partnership with Sheffield Young Explorers, Darnall Well Being, Dig Where You Stand, White Teeth, Maya Productions & Sheffield City Council. With funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

How to get involved?

Sign up to our mailing list for updates on project events and opportunities. Or email alex@brightbox.org.uk with any questions.

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